Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Mummies (2023) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Mummies (2023) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2023 · 88 min · English
Echo score 45
Directed by
Juan Jesús García Galocha
Starring
Hugh Bonneville, Sean Bean, Joe Thomas, Eleanor Tomlinson, Celia Imrie, Ana Esther Alborg
Budget
$12M

In a secret underground city of ancient Egypt, three unlikely mummy companions – a princess, a former charioteer, and his younger brother – find themselves transported to modern-day London. Accompanied by their loyal baby crocodile, they embark on a chaotic quest to recover a stolen Royal Family ring. They must outwit the sly Lord Carnaby while navigating the challenges of a new world, leading to a series of comical mishaps and a journey of self-discovery.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Mummies
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Mummies (2023)

Where can you watch Mummies? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

4 main characters · contains spoilers

Mummies Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Mummies (2023), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Thut (Joe Thomas)

    Thut is an Egyptian mummy who once thrived as a chariot racer but now struggles with PTSD following a racing accident. His journey through the film revolves around overcoming his fears and confronting the prospect of marriage. Thut embodies humor and heart while showcasing a deep sense of loyalty to his family.

    • ⚔️ Warrior
    • 🧟‍♂️ Undead
    • 😬 Reluctant Hero
  • Princess Nefer (Eleanor Tomlinson)

    Nefer is a headstrong and passionate princess who wishes to assert her individuality through music. Despite her royal status, she often feels trapped by her father's expectations concerning marriage. Her character evolves throughout the movie as she learns to fight for her desires and confront societal norms.

    • 👑 Royalty
    • 🎶 Musician
    • ❤️ Independent
  • Lord Sylvester Carnaby (Hugh Bonneville)

    Carnaby is an ambitious explorer determined to uncover the secrets of the ancient world. His obsession with mummies leads him to unsavory actions, showcasing his ruthless ambition. He often finds himself at odds with the mummies as their paths converge in a clash for control over ancient treasures.

    • 🕵️‍♂️ Explorer
    • 💰 Greed
    • 🐍 Antagonist
  • Sekhem (Santiago Winder)

    Sekhem, Thut's younger brother, is energetic and skilled with boomerangs. His unwavering support and bravery aid Thut and Nefer throughout their journey. Sekhem is a character that embodies the spirit of adventure and family loyalty, often lightening the mood with his youthful exuberance.

    • 👶 Sidekick
    • 🌀 Skilled
    • 🧡 Loyal

Last updated: December 03, 2024 at 14:29

Was this helpful?

Setting

Where and When Does Mummies Take Place?

The setting of Mummies (2023): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Ancient Egypt to Modern Era

The movie transpires from the time of Ancient Egypt, where mummies were revered and depicted in a world of myths and traditions, to the modern era where explorers like Lord Sylvester Carnaby seek to uncover their secrets. This juxtaposition highlights the evolution of civilization and cultural perceptions over the millennia.

Location

City of the Underworld, London, Rome

The City of the Underworld is a mystical realm where mummies reside after completing the mummification process. It is characterized by an artificial sun that controls day and night cycles. The story also takes the characters to modern-day London, known for its rich history and cultural landmarks, as well as ancient Rome, once the center of the mightiest empire.

  • 🏛️ Ancient
  • 🌆 Modern
  • 🏙️ Urban

Last updated: December 03, 2024 at 14:29

Was this helpful?

3 major themes

Mummies Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Mummies (2023) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Love & Commitment

    The theme of love and commitment is deeply explored through the relationship between Thut and Nefer. As undead mummies, they face unique challenges regarding marriage and immortality. Their journey ultimately leads them to confront their fears and societal expectations to forge their own path together.

  • Courage & Bravery

    Thut's journey showcases the theme of courage as he grapples with his past trauma from chariot racing. The adversity he faces, especially in confronting the villain Carnaby, highlights the importance of bravery not just in battle but in standing up for one's beliefs and loved ones.

  • Self-Expression

    Nefer's passion for singing reflects the theme of self-expression and the struggle against societal norms. Her desire to pursue a career in music challenges the expectations placed upon her as a princess, underlining the importance of following one’s dreams regardless of the consequences.

Last updated: December 03, 2024 at 14:29

Was this helpful?

Character & theme questions

Mummies Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Mummies (2023): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the City of the Underworld located?

The City of the Underworld is a mystical realm in ancient Egypt where mummies reside after completing the mummification process. It exists as a hidden underground city beneath Egypt, featuring an artificial sun that controls day and night cycles.

  • city of underworld
  • ancient egypt
  • mummies
  • setting
  • underground city
Q2

How do the mummies end up in London?

The three mummy companions, Thut, Nefer, and Sekhem, are transported from ancient Egypt's City of the Underworld to modern-day London, where they must navigate a completely foreign world while pursuing their quest.

  • london
  • modern day
  • mummies
  • transportation
  • fish out of water
Q3

What time period does the movie cover?

The story spans from ancient Egypt, when mummies were revered in a world of myths and traditions, to modern-day London, showcasing the evolution of civilization and cultural perceptions over thousands of years.

  • ancient egypt
  • modern era
  • time period
  • timeline
Q4

Who is Thut in the movie?

Thut is an Egyptian mummy who once thrived as a chariot racer but now struggles with PTSD following a racing accident. He is the former charioteer who must overcome his fears while remaining loyal to his family throughout their chaotic quest.

  • thut
  • chariot racer
  • ptsd
  • main character
  • bravery
Q5

Who is Princess Nefer?

Princess Nefer is a headstrong and passionate royal character who wishes to assert her individuality through music and singing. She feels trapped by her father's expectations regarding marriage and fights to follow her own dreams despite societal norms.

  • princess nefer
  • singing
  • self-expression
  • royalty
  • music
Q6

Who is Lord Carnaby?

Lord Sylvester Carnaby is an ambitious explorer determined to uncover the secrets of the ancient world. His obsession with mummies leads him to unsavory actions, making him the main antagonist who seeks control over ancient treasures.

  • lord carnaby
  • villain
  • explorer
  • antagonist
  • antagonist motivation
Q7

Who is Sekhem?

Sekhem is Thut's younger brother, an energetic and skilled boomerang-wielder who provides unwavering support throughout the journey. He embodies the spirit of adventure and family loyalty, often lightening the mood with his youthful exuberance.

  • sekhem
  • brother
  • boomerang
  • support
  • adventure
Q8

What is the love story in Mummies about?

The theme of love and commitment is explored through Thut and Nefer's relationship. As undead mummies facing unique challenges regarding marriage and immortality, they must confront their fears and societal expectations to forge their own path together.

  • love
  • marriage
  • commitment
  • thut
  • nefer
  • relationship
Q9

How does the movie explore courage?

Thut's journey showcases courage as he grapples with past trauma from his chariot racing accident. He must find bravery not just in physical confrontations, especially when facing the villain Carnaby, but in standing up for his beliefs and loved ones.

  • courage
  • bravery
  • ptsd
  • overcoming fears
  • thut
Q10

What does the movie say about self-expression?

Nefer's passion for singing reflects the theme of self-expression and the struggle against societal norms. Her desire to pursue a music career challenges the expectations placed upon her as a princess, emphasizing the importance of following one's dreams regardless of consequences.

  • self expression
  • singing
  • dreams
  • princess
  • individuality
  • music career
Q11

What is the tone of the movie?

The movie has a light and whimsical tone, combining fish-out-of-water comedy with romantic and personal discovery elements. Despite some serious topics like Thut's PTSD, these are presented comically and resolved positively in a family-friendly adventure.

  • tone
  • comedy
  • family
  • whimsical
  • lighthearted

Movie threads

More Movies Like Mummies, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Mummies tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Chaotic fish-out-of-water comedies like Mummies

Characters flung into unfamiliar worlds, creating hilarious and fast-paced chaos. If you enjoyed the hilarious culture clash in Mummies, you'll love these movies where characters are thrown into completely new worlds. Discover similar animated and family comedies featuring frantic adventures, comical mishaps, and uplifting journeys of adaptation.

  • chaotic
  • fish out of water
  • comical
  • adventurous
  • playful
  • uplifting
  • Tone: light, whimsical, comical
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread typically begin with a sudden displacement of the protagonist(s) into a strange and unfamiliar setting. The plot is driven by their attempts to achieve a goal or return home, which is constantly complicated by their lack of understanding of the new world's rules, leading to slapstick sequences and eventual self-discovery.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here based on their shared focus on culture clash as the primary source of comedy, a fast and often chaotic pacing full of mishaps, and an overall light, whimsical tone that keeps the adventure fun and uplifting despite the characters' confusion.

Uplifting team quest adventures like Mummies

Mismatched teams on a lighthearted mission, racing against time with comedic results. Fans of the fun treasure hunt in Mummies will enjoy these feel-good adventure movies. Explore stories about quirky teams on a mission, featuring comedic chases, playful banter, and heartwarming victories that emphasize camaraderie over serious danger.

  • adventurous
  • feel-good
  • quest
  • teamwork
  • playful
  • race against time
  • Tone: light, adventurous, uplifting
  • Pacing: fast, steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a straightforward 'race against time' structure. A clear objective is established early, and a team of characters with complementary (and often clashing) personalities must work together to overcome a series of comical obstacles and a relatively non-threatening antagonist, culminating in a satisfying success.

Why they belong together: These movies share a cohesive vibe defined by a straightforward plot centered on a quest, a light emotional weight that keeps the stakes feeling fun, a fast pacing with chase sequences, and an overwhelmingly positive and uplifting conclusion that leaves the audience feeling good.

If you liked this

Movies Like Mummies

Similar movies to Mummies: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Mummies (2023) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Mummies in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app