MOVIE REVIEW – “The question is, do you have what it takes to make it epic,” says a crazed Chris Hemsworth near the end of “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.” This memorable line from George Miller’s post-apocalyptic western prequel could easily be directed at Miller himself.

This film is here to go above and beyond: more gravity-defying chases, more breathtaking stunts, more deeply felt pathos, and somehow, even more momentum, which seemed nearly impossible after “Mad Max: Fury Road” in 2015. Yet, it also subtly weaves in deep philosophical themes within this tribal depiction of a decaying humanity: Christian iconography and Arthurian legend are cleverly interwoven, creating a captivating story that still manages to surprise us, even though we know the bleak future it points toward—a future that feels eerily relevant today. Simply put, it’s one of the best prequels ever made.

A Multi-Layered Epic Story

Divided into five chapters, each denser than the last, the film follows a very young Furiosa (Alyla Browne) who is picking fruit near her peaceful home, “The Green Place.” A biker gang arrives to raid the land. Despite Furiosa’s efforts to sabotage their bikes, she is captured, prompting her mother (Charlee Fraser) to venture into the desert wasteland to retrieve her. This kicks off a frantic chase, one of the film’s many grand set pieces, with Furiosa’s mother pursuing her daughter’s captors over sand dunes and through a sandstorm, all the way to the hideout of the messianic figure Dementus (Chris Hemsworth). This marks the beginning of a decade-long feud between Furiosa and Dementus, filled with themes of revenge, grief, and the longing for home.

To detail the plot any further would not only spoil the movie but also imply that the narrative beats are essential, which they are not. This doesn’t mean “Furiosa” is illogical or weak in its storytelling; rather, it means Miller is telling an emotional story of how a once virtuous and joyful child becomes a hardened, ruthless warrior. This kind of narrative arc fits perfectly with the film’s epic sensibilities, introducing us to the origins of wasteland fortresses like Gas Town and Bullet Town, and taking us to the Citadel led by a somewhat younger, more imposing Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme). Other characters, such as Immortan Joe’s bumbling sons Rictus (Nathan Jones) and Scrotus (Josh Helmen), also return, with Easter eggs for “Fury Road” fans, and even nods to the 2015 Mad Max video game.

The Triumphant Return of Furiosa

Surprisingly, it takes a good hour before the older Furiosa (the stunning Anya Taylor-Joy) appears on screen. This may sound disappointing to some readers (especially fans of the brilliant actress), but it shouldn’t: because Alyla Browne as the adolescent Furiosa is so compelling, often evoking a young Jodie Foster with her charisma, intelligence, and confidence. The foundation she lays is so solid that when we transition to Taylor-Joy’s portrayal of the character, it’s hard to tell the two actresses apart at first.

But of course, an epic story and great acting would be meaningless in a Mad Max film without fantastic, extended action sequences, and Miller doesn’t disappoint. One standout sequence involves Furiosa driving across the wasteland with Praetorian Jack (Tom Burke) at the wheel of an oil tanker. This scene offers Taylor-Joy the perfect opportunity to make a powerful entrance with a dramatic close-up. Though Burke’s screen time is relatively short, he and Taylor-Joy quickly establish a unique chemistry, portraying two lost souls who believe that paradise still exists somewhere in the world if they follow the star map tattooed on Furiosa’s forearm.

Alongside Furiosa, the other star is Hemsworth, whose performance is arguably his best yet. Despite being saddled with a terrible wig and a prominent prosthetic nose, and disappearing for long stretches, he steals the show whenever he appears. He not only gets the best, most quotable lines but also displays an unprecedented level of physical command, first as a dignified messiah and conman, then as a bombastic politician, and finally as the “naked” king. Dementus’ sarcasm, malevolent intelligence, cruelty, and cold calculations make Hemsworth’s portrayal a character he has been perfecting for some time, culminating in an unforgettable villainous role.

This is True Valhalla

“Furiosa” will inspire plenty of analysis, such as how it reinterprets the classic biblical apple scene for a brilliantly provocative ending or how it comments on current environmental, military, and global political issues—particularly why wars are waged and the mad power lust and cynicism of the leaders who lead nations into conflict. But ultimately, this is a big, entertaining popcorn movie, full of incredibly spectacular action, epic adventure, and stellar performances. Miller isn’t here to burden us with overwrought, woke melodrama, algorithm-driven plotting, or forced artistic pretension. “Furiosa” aims to dazzle us, and it succeeds spectacularly. To Valhalla and beyond.

-Gergely Herpai (BadSector)-