Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Sequel where Aquaman teams up with his half-brother Orm for underwater revenge quest
The brief
James Wan's sequel feels like it's underwater in more ways than one, drowning in CGI spectacle that never quite clicks into place. Momoa still brings his surfer bro charm to Arthur, but the family dynamics with Patrick Wilson's Orm feel forced, and the whole thing has the exhausted air of a franchise running on fumes. The action sequences blur together in a haze of digital ocean battles that look expensive but lack any real weight or stakes. If you're still hungry for more DCEU after everything that's happened, or you just want to see Momoa be charming for two hours, it'll scratch that itch, but don't expect the kinetic energy Wan brought to the first film.
The verdict
If you're a devoted Aquaman fan who just wants to see Jason Momoa's charismatic Arthur one more time and don't mind CGI-heavy spectacle, this delivers enough underwater action to satisfy that craving. If you're looking for the fresh energy and tighter storytelling of the original or expecting anything beyond franchise obligation filmmaking, you'll find this sequel waterlogged and forgettable.
Watch with
- 👥 Friends who love big budget action spectacle
- 👨👩👧👦 Family movie night (kids will love the visuals)
- ⚠️ Those seeking deep storytelling should skip
Heads up
- Intense underwater battle sequences (frequent)
- Fantasy violence and combat throughout (moderate)
- Some scary sea creatures and monsters (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- James Wan
- Cast
- Jason Momoa, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Randall Park, Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, Dolph Lundgren
Official synopsis
Black Manta seeks revenge on Aquaman for his father's death. Wielding the Black Trident's power, he becomes
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with The Wandering Earth II (2023)
Both epic sci-fi spectacles featuring underwater worlds and family sacrifice themes.
Total runtime: 2h 4m + 2h 54m = 4h 58m
