Prometheus

Year: 2012

Runtime: 124 min

Language: English

Director: Ridley Scott

Budget: $130M

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A team of scientists and explorers embarks on a perilous journey to a distant moon, seeking to uncover the secrets of humanity's origins. Their mission leads them to confront a mysterious and potentially hostile environment, forcing them to push the boundaries of their understanding and face profound existential questions. As they delve deeper, they discover unsettling truths about the universe and the very nature of life, challenging their beliefs and threatening their survival.

Prometheus (2012) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Prometheus (2012) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the late 21st century humanity turns its gaze outward, funding a bold expedition to the distant moon LV‑223. The promise of a star‑mapped clue hidden among ancient Earth myths whispers of a forgotten progenitor race, and the promise of answers about our own beginnings drives the mission forward. The sterile corridors of the research vessel Prometheus become a floating sanctuary of curiosity, its sleek design reflecting both the optimism and the unease of a species standing on the brink of a revelation that could reshape its self‑understanding.

At the heart of the venture are two passionate archaeologists, Elizabeth Shaw and Charlie Holloway, whose partnership blends scholarly rigor with a restless yearning for truth. Backed by the enigmatic founder of Weyland Corp., Peter Weyland, whose ambition borders on the mythic, the crew also includes the inscrutable mission director Meredith Vickers, whose pragmatic authority often counters the idealism of the scientists. Hovering in the background is David, an android whose calm efficiency and hidden motives add an undercurrent of tension to the otherwise human‑driven quest.

The tone of the film is unmistakably cinematic and foreboding, marrying the cold grandeur of space travel with an intimate, almost reverent fascination for the unknown. The alien landscape they encounter is both awe‑inspiring and subtly menacing, a world of towering structures and an atmosphere that hints at secrets better left buried. Every step the team takes is underscored by a quiet dread that the answers they seek may come at a cost they are not prepared to pay.

As the crew delves deeper into the moon’s mysteries, the narrative balances spectacular visual wonder with philosophical contemplation. Questions of creation, purpose, and the limits of human curiosity loom large, inviting viewers to share in the tension between the alluring promise of discovery and the shadow of the possible consequences that lie just beyond the reach of their understanding.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 07:10

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Existential Sci-Fi Horror Movies like Prometheus

Stories where scientific exploration uncovers terrifying truths about humanity.For viewers who enjoyed the cosmic horror and disturbing revelations in Prometheus. This thread features similar movies where scientific hubris leads to terrifying discoveries, blending high-concept sci-fi with body horror and a dark, suspenseful atmosphere.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a group of explorers or scientists—often driven by corporate or personal ambition—venturing into the unknown. Their quest for knowledge quickly devolves into a desperate fight for survival as they encounter ancient, hostile forces or bio-engineered horrors. The story focuses on the unraveling of their mission and their sanity in the face of cosmic insignificance.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a core combination of high-concept science fiction themes—like human origins or alien contact—with the visceral terror of body horror and survival. They create a specific atmosphere of intellectual and physical dread, where the unknown is both fascinating and monstrous.

Dangerous Frontier Expedition Movies like Prometheus

Missions into hostile, unknown territories where the environment is the enemy.If you liked the tense survival and isolated mission in Prometheus, explore these movies about perilous journeys into hostile environments. These stories feature crews facing external threats and internal conflicts in claustrophobic, remote locations.

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Narrative Summary

The plot revolves around a team sent to a remote, forbidding location (deep space, an alien planet, a remote outpost) with a specific goal. The mission is compromised not just by external threats, but by the isolated, claustrophobic setting and the hidden agendas of team members or their corporate overseers. The story is a slow-burn build-up of tension that erupts into frantic survival.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their core setting and situation: a high-stakes expedition to a frontier location where the crew is cut off from help. They share a mood of building suspense, claustrophobia, and the terrifying realization that they are not just visitors but prey in a deadly environment.

Unlock the Full Story of Prometheus

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

Prometheus Summary

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Prometheus Timeline

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Prometheus

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

More About Prometheus

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Prometheus: 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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