Centurion

In A.D. 117, the Roman garrisons in Britannia face increasing difficulties as the fierce Picts, led by their formidable king Gorlacon, mount a relentless offensive. The Picts utilize guerrilla tactics to systematically dismantle Roman outposts, creating chaos and fear among the ranks of the Roman Empire.

Centurion Quintus Dias, portrayed by Michael Fassbender, becomes the lone survivor of a brutal Pictish assault on a Roman outpost. After the attack, he is captured by the Picts and his fate is left uncertain as the war between the two factions intensifies.

The Roman governor of Britannia, eager to gain favor and return to Rome, dispatches the Ninth Legion under General Titus Flavius Virilus to combat the Picts. Among the legionnaires is a mute Brigantian scout named Etain, whose presence becomes pivotal in the unfolding events.

As the legion travels northward, they fortuitously rescue Quintus Dias, who has managed to escape captivity from the Picts. This reunion invigorates the Roman soldiers, yet the threat of betrayal looms as unforeseen dangers lurk around them.

Etain deceives the Ninth Legion, leading them into a trap set by King Gorlacon. The Romans suffer a catastrophic defeat in this ambush, with many losing their lives; only Dias and six others narrowly avoid capture, highlighting the treachery within their ranks.

Determined to free General Virilus, Dias and his companions attempt to infiltrate a Pictish settlement. Their mission quickly turns chaotic when one of them accidentally kills Gorlacon's young son, escalating the conflict and ensuring retaliation from the Pictish king.

The morning after the disastrous rescue attempt, General Virilus is forced to duel Etain. The encounter proves fatal for the general, leaving Dias and the remaining soldiers with little hope as they navigate the dangerous terrain fraught with Pictish hunters.

In a bid to return south, the survivors decide to take a perilous detour over the mountains. Their journey is filled with danger, culminating in a dramatic escape where they leap off a cliff into a raging stream to evade a relentless pursuit by the Picts.

In a desperate move to regain control, Dias and a skilled warrior conduct a nighttime raid against the Pictish camp. The confrontation results in casualties on both sides, leaving the Roman forces further weakened and at risk of annihilation.

The weary group finds temporary refuge with a kind-hearted woman named Arianne, who lives alone in the forest. However, their safety is short-lived when Etain tracks them down, leading to a tense standoff as the Romans hide in Arianne’s home.

After slipping away from Arianne's home at dawn, the group stumbles upon an abandoned Roman garrison. Here, they discover orders indicating that the Roman troops have retreated to Hadrian’s Wall, leaving them feeling increasingly isolated and vulnerable.

As they prepare for another confrontation with Etain, the Romans set a trap within the fort in a bid to regain the upper hand. The tension mounts as they anticipate the next battle, eager to confront their formidable enemy.

The battle culminates in a fierce confrontation where Dias faces off against Etain. Despite the chaos surrounding them, Dias emerges victorious, but the weight of their losses hangs heavily on him as he leaves the battlefield with a wounded companion.

Upon their return to Hadrian's Wall, Dias learns of a treacherous order from the governor to eliminate all veterans of the Ninth Legion to protect his reputation. This revelation puts Dias's life at risk and adds another layer of complexity to his already perilous situation.

In a dramatic turn of events, Dias discovers that the governor's daughter is tasked with ensuring his death. Utilizing his cunning, Dias evades this assassination attempt and ultimately seeks refuge with Arianne once more, finding a fleeting sense of safety in the forest.