Artemis Fowl

Artemis Fowl

Year: 2020

Runtime: 95 min

Language: English

Director: Kenneth Branagh

AdventureSci-FiFantasyFamily

A brilliant twelve-year-old criminal mastermind, Artemis Fowl, kidnaps a fairy seeking ransom. He soon finds himself facing a powerful, technologically advanced underground fairy civilization who are determined to reclaim what he stole. Artemis must use all of his intellect and resourcefulness to evade their capture and protect both the human and fairy worlds from a looming conflict, uncovering secrets about his own family along the way.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Artemis Fowl (2020) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Artemis Fowl (2020), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

On the picturesque coast of Ireland, chaos erupts at Fowl Manor as a media frenzy takes hold, all stemming from a collection of world-renowned relics that have been stolen and linked to the influential businessman, Artemis Fowl Sr.. Amid the turmoil, Mulch Diggums is apprehended at the manor, and during his interrogation by British intelligence, he claims that his employer has snatched the potent “Aculos”. In order to validate the existence of magic, Diggums relays the story of Artemis Fowl Jr..

Just three days prior, we meet the brilliant 12-year-old Artemis Fowl Jr., who resides with his widowed father, Artemis Sr., at Fowl Manor. A distressing turn of events occurs when his father mysteriously vanishes from his boat, accused of pilfering various priceless artifacts present onboard. In a moment of urgency, Artemis Jr. receives a call from a mysterious, hooded figure, who, while holding his father hostage, demands the return of the Aculos—a powerful artifact that Artemis Sr. has hidden away. Domovoi “Dom” Butler, his loyal bodyguard, reveals a secret library filled with documentation that proves the existence of magical beings, a legacy of the Fowl family.

Meanwhile, in the underground world of Haven City, the realm of fairies, Mulch, a comically oversized dwarf and thief, gets intercepted by Holly Short, a reconnaissance officer with the Lower Elements Police (LEPrecon), leading to his imprisonment. Tasked with locating the Aculos, which is considered the fairies’ most vital resource, Commander Julius Root dispatches his team. Foaly, the centaur technical advisor, identifies an unauthorized entity making its way to the surface. Despite the loss of her father, Beechwood Short, who perished while attempting to steal the Aculos, Holly takes to the skies to investigate. Her resolve strengthens when she intervenes during a rogue troll’s attack on a human wedding, utilizing a “time freeze” to eliminate the threat and erase the humans’ memory of the event.

As Dom’s niece Juliet arrives at Fowl Manor, a series of revelations unfold. Through his father’s journal, Artemis learns that Beechwood had previously taken the Aculos to Artemis Sr. in an effort to safeguard it from the hooded figure, who turns out to be Opal Koboi—a vengeful fairy intent on annihilating humanity. Determined to fulfill his mission, Artemis sends Dom on a stakeout at the Hill of Tara. Holly, intent on avenging her father’s tarnished legacy, disobeys direct orders and flies to the same hill, where she stumbles upon Beechwood’s ID tag but is swiftly captured by Dom and imprisoned within Fowl Manor’s walls.

As the LEPrecon forces under Commander Root begin sealing off Fowl Manor using a time freeze, Artemis and Dom bravely counteract their efforts using Holly’s advanced equipment. Artemis takes a stand, demanding the return of the Aculos in exchange for Holly’s freedom while declaring a ban on fairies entering his abode as long as he lives. Bound by fairy regulations, Root negotiates with Mulch to break out of prison, proposing a shortened sentence in return for helping them infiltrate Fowl Manor. As Mulch digs his way into the manor and gains access to Artemis Sr.’s secured safe, the frantic search for the Aculos intensifies. In a daring move, Artemis frees Holly and pleads for her assistance.

In a shocking twist, Lieutenant Briar Cudgeon, a traitor working for Koboi, seizes control of the LEPrecon unit and sets a captured troll loose within the manor, obstructing all forms of magic. Mulch swallows the Aculos just as Artemis, Holly, Juliet, and Dom narrowly escape the rampaging troll. In a tragic turn of events, Dom sacrifices himself to save Artemis from the rampaging troll, leading to a dramatic confrontation where Holly’s fellow officers go against protocol and restore her magic, allowing her to revive Dom.

As Mulch and the LEPrecon team flee just before the time freeze collapses, Artemis resolutely holds onto the Aculos, refusing to hand it over to Koboi. In a stroke of hope, Holly agrees to employ its powers to save Artemis Sr. As Koboi threatens Artemis Sr., Holly bravely calls him to Fowl Manor. During this emotional reunion, Artemis Sr. reveals how Holly’s father sacrificed himself to guard the Aculos and provides her with a list of Koboi’s accomplices. Holly vows to return the Aculos to Haven City, where a now-reinstated Root orders her to look into each name on the list.

In a final twist, Artemis dares Koboi, declaring his intent to pursue her. Meanwhile, Mulch’s interrogator presents him with an offer of freedom in exchange for assisting in capturing Artemis Sr. However, Mulch cleverly divulges that Artemis orchestrated his own arrest to validate the existence of magic to the authorities, confirming the world of magic exists on camera. As the interrogator calls for reinforcements, the Fowls’ helicopter descends to rescue Mulch, who, alongside Holly, makes a hasty exit into the sky.

Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 11:23

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of Artemis Fowl?

Still wondering what the ending of Artemis Fowl (2020) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

At the end of Artemis Fowl, the story hints at a future adventure involving Artemis and the fairies. In the final scenes, Artemis calls Opal and teases her about his victory, unknowingly warning her that he has entered a new, dangerous world that he doesn’t fully understand. Meanwhile, Holly is given permission by the LEPrecon to investigate her father’s mysterious death—presumed to have been caused by Opal. These moments set the stage for a potential sequel, where Artemis and Holly could team up to confront Opal and uncover more of the fairy world’s secrets. However, despite these hints, the film’s poor reception and Disney’s decision to release it directly on streaming suggest that a second film is unlikely. The film’s low ratings and mixed reviews cast doubt on whether a sequel will happen, and the aging of the actor playing Artemis would also complicate future stories. Ultimately, the ending leaves the door open for more adventures, but it seems unlikely they will be made, leaving fans to wonder if the story of Artemis Fowl will continue in future adaptations or remain a closed chapter.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44

Unlock the Full Story of Artemis Fowl

Don't stop at just watching — explore Artemis Fowl in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Artemis Fowl is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Artemis Fowl Timeline

Track the full timeline of Artemis Fowl with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Artemis Fowl Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Artemis Fowl

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Artemis Fowl. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Artemis Fowl

Artemis Fowl Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Artemis Fowl? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Artemis Fowl Ending Explained

More About Artemis Fowl

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Artemis Fowl: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Artemis Fowl

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