Year: 2020
Runtime: 103 min
Language: English
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Transported to a dangerous realm teeming with colossal monsters, Captain Artemis and her team find their advanced weaponry ineffective against the towering beasts. They reluctantly join forces with Hunter, a skilled and experienced warrior, to navigate this perilous new world. Facing the formidable Admiral and his elite squad, they must overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to protect both their world and the one they’ve been pulled into, battling for survival and fighting to prevent extinction.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Monster Hunter (2020), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
In a mysterious New World where humans share the land with a plethora of ferocious monsters, a skilled Hunter (Tony Jaa), trained specifically to track and eliminate these gigantic creatures, becomes isolated from his fellow warriors during a fierce attack on their sand-skimming ship by the Diablos, a formidable horned beast lurking underground. Their mission takes them to the Sky Tower, believed to be the heart of power in this strange realm. Luckily, the Admiral (Ron Perlman), the leader of the Hunters, manages to keep the ship afloat, but chaos ensues, and the Hunter ends up separated, landing in the treacherous sands.
Meanwhile, on Earth, a dedicated U.S. Army Ranger Captain Natalie Artemis (Milla Jovovich) leads her team—composed of Marshall (Diego Boneta), Axe (Jin Au-Yeung), Steeler (Josh Helman), Lincoln (T.I.), and Dash (Meagan Good)—on a desperate search for their lost soldiers in a vast desert. As they traverse ancient sites adorned with cryptic markings, Lincoln discovers faint tracks from their missing comrades that abruptly vanish, leaving them puzzled.
Out of nowhere, a violent storm engulfs them, triggering the ancient markers that generate a portal, pulling the crew into the New World. There, they stumble upon the charred remains of their teammates, whose demise seems to have been caused by an unknown force, as the surrounding sand has turned to glass.
As they continue their journey through this otherworldly desert, the team encounters colossal skeletons that dwarf even the largest dinosaurs on Earth. Just when they think they might be safe, the ominous Diablos returns, stalking them viciously. Quick-thinking Steeler detonates grenades in a desperate attempt to fend it off, but it barely phases the beast. In a frantic attempt to take refuge, the survivors hide within a cave, only to be besieged by nightmarish spider-like creatures known as Nerscyllas, which attack under the cover of darkness. After being injected with venom, Artemis finds herself in a lair filled with her fallen comrades, now either dead or infected.
She cleverly escapes the lair, igniting the Nerscyllas in pursuit, using a flare and some spray can to ignite a fiery disturbance. Realizing the only option is to confront the Nerscyllas during the day, she climbs to higher ground only to discover the Diablos is still lurking nearby. Just when things appear dire, she crosses paths with the Hunter, and after a tense bout of combat, they reluctantly decide to join forces to survive the night.
Guided by the Hunter’s survival skills, Artemis learns the intricacies of combat with bladed weapons and devises a cunning plan to slay the Diablos using Nerscylla venom. Their collaboration pays off when they successfully deliver a fatal blow, but this victory comes at a cost, as the Hunter sustains severe injuries. With a makeshift stretcher, Artemis carries him until they discover an oasis teeming with peculiar creatures known as Apceros.
However, their moment of respite is short-lived as a fearsome Rathalos swoops down, causing a stampede among the Apceros. Just in time, they are rescued by a group led by the Admiral, who fluently communicates with them in English, revealing his background of prior journeys to Earth and the secrets of the Sky Tower—constructed by the ancient civilization to safeguard against powerful monsters.
Determined to return home, Artemis agrees to aid in bringing down the Rathalos, perceived to be vulnerable pre-attack. As they reach the precarious portal at the base of the Sky Tower, chaos erupts during an intense battle, resulting in Artemis being flung back to her world. Yet, the Rathalos breaches the portal, unleashing havoc upon the retrieval team.
In a moment of valor, she manages to slow the beast down long enough for the Hunter to deliver the lethal shot. Despite having the chance to remain back on Earth, Artemis makes the bold decision to return to the New World, standing alongside the Hunters.
The Admiral shines a hopeful light on their future, but warns that as long as the portal exists, the threat of monsters coming through remains ever-present. As they gear up to dismantle the Sky Tower and its ominous powers, the film teases further dangers with a mid-credits scene featuring Palico (Aaron Beelner), the Admiral’s feline companion, preparing to confront a new enemy—the ominous Gore Magala—observed by a sinister cloaked figure at the tower’s summit.
Last Updated: November 04, 2024 at 01:19
Still wondering what the ending of Monster Hunter (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.
In the end, Aiden, now a seasoned guild hunter, is called to join a mission to investigate the increasing Elder Crossings, which threaten the safety of their world. His journey started from small monster hunts in his village, driven by the desire to protect his people. During the final battle against the powerful Lunastra, the hunters’ last-ditch effort involved blowing up a dam to flood the creature and drive it away from the village. This act came at great cost, with Ravi and Mae sacrificing their lives in the process. Their bravery allowed the others to succeed in saving the village and rebuilding their home around the river so the threat of destruction was finally averted.
The film concludes with Aiden dedicated to becoming an ace hunter, inspired by his mentors and the sacrifices made by Ravi and Mae. Julius, recognizing his potential, takes Aiden under his wing and trains him as his cadet. The story then jumps to the future, where Aiden is now ready to face his next challenge—tracking Zorah Magdaros, a colossal monster that threatens to destroy everything. The ending signifies Aiden’s growth from an eager young hunter to a capable hero prepared to confront even larger monsters, continuing the cycle of heroism and the fight to maintain balance in their dangerous world.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:59
Don't stop at just watching — explore Monster Hunter 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 Monster Hunter is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Monster Hunter with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Monster Hunter. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
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