Mortal Kombat

Mortal Kombat

Year: 2021

Runtime: 110 min

Language: English

Director: Simon McQuoid

Echo Score: 61

Budget: $55M

ActionAdventureSci-FiThrillerFantasy

An MMA fighter finds himself drawn into a mystical tournament when he learns of his hidden ancestry and an impending threat from the Emperor of Outworld. As Cole Young, he must embrace his destiny, training with formidable warriors and exploring ancient temples. He joins Earth's champions to confront Outworld's forces in a battle that will determine the universe's survival.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Mortal Kombat yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Mortal Kombat (2021)

Trace every key event in Mortal Kombat (2021) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Attack on Shirai Ryu

In 17th-century Japan, Bi-Han and the Lin Kuei assassins launch a brutal attack on the Shirai Ryu ninja clan. This ruthless assault leads to the massacre of Hanzo Hasashi's family, marking the beginning of a harrowing conflict.

17th century Shirai Ryu clan village
2

Hanzo's Wife's Sacrifice

As the raid unfolds, Hanzo's wife takes desperate measures to protect their infant daughter. She hides the child just before succumbing to Bi-Han's merciless attack, showcasing the lengths a mother will go to for her child's safety.

17th century Shirai Ryu clan village
3

Hanzo's Final Stand

In an attempt to avenge his family, Hanzo confronts his attackers in a fierce battle. Despite his bravery and skill, he ultimately falls to Bi-Han, sealing his fate as he is struck down by the ice-wielding assassin.

17th century Shirai Ryu clan village
4

Hanzo's Soul Captured

After his death, Hanzo's soul is trapped in the Netherrealm, a dark and malevolent realm. It symbolizes the tragic outcome of his fight against the Lin Kuei, leaving his legacy in jeopardy.

17th century Netherrealm
5

Raiden's Intervention

Just before the chaos settles, the deity Raiden intervenes and rescues Hanzo's surviving baby girl. This act of salvation marks the beginning of a new hope for the Hasashi lineage and sets the stage for future events.

17th century Netherrealm
6

Outworld's Dominance

Fast forward to the present day, where Outworld has won nine out of ten Mortal Kombat tournaments against Earthrealm. The looming threat of total domination hangs over Earth's champions, raising the stakes for the upcoming battle.

Present day Earthrealm
7

Shang Tsung's Plan

Aware of an ancient prophecy regarding Hanzo Hasashi's blood, the sorcerer Shang Tsung devises a plan to eliminate those marked by the dragon symbol. His ambition fuels his malevolent actions in the lead-up to the next tournament.

Present day Outworld
8

Cole Young's Family Under Threat

Ex-MMA fighter Cole Young and his family find themselves in danger when Bi-Han, now known as Sub-Zero, launches a deadly attack. This confrontation forces Cole into a fight for survival, with his loved ones at risk.

Present day Cole's home
9

Jax's Heroic Rescue

Jax, a Special Forces Major marked by the dragon symbol, arrives just in time to save Cole and his family from Sub-Zero's assault. However, he suffers grave injuries, losing his arms in an act of bravery to protect them.

Present day Cole's home
10

Meeting Sonya Blade

Cole tracks down Sonya Blade at her hideout, where she interrogates the mercenary Kano. Together, they unravel the truth about Mortal Kombat and their connection to the dragon symbol, drawing them deeper into the conflict.

Present day Sonya's hideout
11

Journey to Raiden's Temple

After defeating Syzoth, a minion of Shang Tsung, Cole, Sonya, and Kano embark on a journey to Raiden's temple, where warriors are trained. Kano demands a hefty price for leading them, showing his mercenary nature amidst the chaos.

Present day On the road to Raiden's temple
12

Training at the Temple

At Raiden's temple, Cole and Kano meet current champions Liu Kang and Kung Lao, who begin to train them. Despite skepticism from Raiden, they push to unlock their unique abilities known as Arcana, vital for the battles to come.

Present day Raiden's temple
13

The Assault on the Temple

Shang Tsung's forces launch a surprise attack on the temple, creating chaos among the fighters. During the skirmish, Kung Lao displays his prowess by eliminating the vampire Nitara, while Jax discovers his powerful Arcana.

Present day Raiden's temple
14

Cole's Triumph Over Goro

In an intense battle, Cole faces off against Prince Goro. With the aid of his newly harnessed Arcana, he equips himself with powerful armor and tonfas, ultimately defeating the formidable foe and proving his worth to the team.

Present day Raiden's temple
15

Awakening Hanzo's Spirit

As tensions peak, Cole uses a bloodied kunai gifted by Raiden to channel Hanzo's essence. In a climactic showdown, he releases Hanzo's spirit as Scorpion, who aids him in defeating Sub-Zero, finally avenging the past.

Present day Raiden's temple
16

Future Challenges Ahead

With the immediate threat neutralized, Raiden recognizes the need to prepare for future battles and recruits new warriors. Cole now sets off for Los Angeles, determined to find iconic martial artist Johnny Cage to join their fight.

Present day Raiden's temple

Last Updated: October 27, 2024 at 23:06

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Brutal Fantasy Tournament Survival Movies like Mortal Kombat

High-stakes battles where heroes fight for survival in violent, mystical tournaments.If you enjoyed the high-stakes combat of Mortal Kombat, explore more movies featuring mystical tournaments and brutal survival battles. These films deliver fast-paced action, fantasy worlds, and heroes fighting against overwhelming odds in a structure defined by violent competition.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread follow a clear tournament or championship structure, often serving as a backdrop for a larger conflict. The narrative typically involves a new or reluctant hero discovering their destiny, undergoing intense training with allies, and facing off against a series of increasingly powerful foes. The journey is linear and driven by the need to win each round to achieve a greater goal, such as saving a world or averting a cataclysm.

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These movies are grouped by their shared focus on structured, high-intensity combat within a fantastical setting. They deliver a similar experience of relentless action, clear good-versus-evil conflicts, and the satisfaction of watching underdog champions rise to the occasion through sheer force and skill.

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Aspiring champions embrace their destiny with a ragtag team to face an apocalyptic threat.Fans of Mortal Kombat's theme of a chosen one uniting with fellow champions will enjoy these similar stories. Discover movies where reluctant heroes discover their destiny and band together with a found family to fight in epic, high-stakes wars for the fate of their world.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern centers on a protagonist who resists a grand destiny but is forced to accept it due to a personal loss or an immediate threat. Their journey involves seeking out and training with a group of specialized allies, each with unique skills. The core emotional arc is about moving from isolation to belonging, as the group becomes a new family fighting for a common cause against a clearly defined, powerful antagonist.

Why These Movies?

This grouping focuses on the emotional and narrative core of the 'chosen one' trope combined with the 'found family' dynamic. The similarity lies in the character journey from reluctance to acceptance, the importance of camaraderie in the face of despair, and the epic scale of the conflict that binds the group together.

Unlock the Full Story of Mortal Kombat

Don't stop at just watching — explore Mortal Kombat 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 Mortal Kombat is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Mortal Kombat Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Mortal Kombat, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Mortal Kombat Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Mortal Kombat

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Mortal Kombat

Mortal Kombat Ending Explained

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

Mortal Kombat Ending Explained

Mortal Kombat Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Mortal Kombat that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Mortal Kombat Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Mortal Kombat

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

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