Red Dwarf: The Promised Land

Red Dwarf: The Promised Land

Year: 2020

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: English

Director: Doug Naylor

Echo Score: 82
AdventureScience FictionTV MovieComedy

The crew encounters three feline clerics who revere Lister as a deity. He pledges to aid them, as they are being pursued by Rodon, a merciless feral cat leader determined to eliminate all cats who don't worship him. Lister and the team must protect the clerics while navigating a dangerous conflict within the cat population.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Red Dwarf: The Promised Land 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 – Red Dwarf: The Promised Land (2020)

Trace every key event in Red Dwarf: The Promised Land (2020) 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

Clerics escape execution

Three cat clerics, bound for execution by Rodon for worshipping others, manage to escape their fate. They steal a shuttle and flee toward their birthplace to seek out their god. The escape sets in motion a quest that intertwines with the crew of Red Dwarf.

Just before escape Cat Fleet execution chamber
2

Holly reboot and crew flee

Lister explores the ship’s cargo bays and discovers a reboot-disc for Holly. Holly reboots from the original startup file but fails to recognise the crew, declaring the ship obsolete. With Holly intent on destroying what remains, Lister, Kryten, Rimmer and Cat flee aboard Starbug to seek a new ship.

Weeks after leaving stasis Red Dwarf – corridors and cargo bays
3

Derelict Iron Star and Diamond Light

Starbug stumbles upon the Iron Star, a derelict vessel with superior tech. They discover a new holographic system called Diamond Light, capable of powerful, superhero-like projections. Rimmer temporarily upgrades to Diamond Light as The Mighty Light, but his battery fails and he must stay plugged in to a power source.

Upon boarding Iron Star Iron Star
4

Clerics reveal Anubis Stone and Lister's god-claims

The three clerics recognise Lister as their god, which unsettles the crew. Kryten warns that forcing faith on others could be dangerous, arguing that belief is all the clerics have left. They reveal Rodon is pursuing the Anubis Stone, though Kryten suspects the stone is merely beetle dung.

During Iron Star exploration Iron Star – aboard the clerics meet Lister
5

Rodon claims the Anubis Stone

Rodon arrives aboard his fleet to claim the Anubis Stone and orders the Iron Star to be destroyed. The Dwarfers and clerics flee back to Starbug as Rodon’s forces close in. The threat of annihilation hangs over their heads as space war begins to erupt.

Moment Rodon arrives Iron Star / near Rodon’s fleet
6

Desert moon crash

Debris from the Iron Star bombardment hurls Starbug away and forces a crash-landing on a desert moon. The crew survives the impact but is scattered and stranded far from Red Dwarf. Rodon’s ship closes in, threatening a new pursuit.

Immediately after Starbug crash Desert moon
7

Moon chase and underground trap

Rodon’s ship pursues, forcing the Dwarfers to hide in a sandstorm before being trapped underground. They attempt to improvise a plan while the surface swirls around them. Tension builds as rescue seems unlikely.

During the pursuit Desert moon – sandstorm and underground cave
8

Rimmer calls Holly; Holly regains memories

Rimmer, in a black-and-white low-energy form, contacts Holly and convinces him to upload the last saved back-up files. Holly’s memories reboot and he regains his old personality, albeit with a stubborn attitude. The crew gains a powerful ally who can re-equip their ship.

While trapped on desert moon Desert moon lab
9

Holly destroys the moon; Starbug escapes

Holly launches a mining torpedo that wrecks the moon's structure, generating a shockwave that clears a path for Starbug to escape. The ship hurtles away as debris collapses behind them. The crew regroups to confront Rodon anew.

Immediately after reboot Desert moon vicinity
10

Rodon returns to Red Dwarf with the Anubis Stone

Regrouping on Red Dwarf reveals Rodon’s presence on their ship, coming to reclaim the Anubis Stone. Rodon leaves a bomb aboard Red Dwarf to destroy the crew once and for all, heightening the peril they face. The stakes are higher as homeland loyalties are tested.

After rescue Red Dwarf
11

Revealing the true Anubis Stone

Lister realises the Anubis Stone’s beetle-dung shell is only a shell; beneath lies the real stone with immense power. Power is transferred to Rimmer, recharging his Diamond Light form. With seconds to spare, Rimmer exits into space to detonate the bomb harmlessly.

Seconds before detonation Red Dwarf
12

Battle against Rodon

Lister and Rimmer unleash a laser-pointer ruse to turn Rodon’s own crew against him, sabotaging his battlecruiser. Rodon loses control and crashes into an asteroid, taking everyone aboard with him. The tyrant’s threat finally falls as the flagship explodes.

Climactic battle Rodon’s ship in space
13

Kryten revived

Kryten’s systems were temporarily held in stasis; to save him, Rimmer sacrifices his Diamond Light powers. He uses the Anubis Stone to restore Kryten’s life, relinquishing his superhero abilities in the process. The team breathes a sigh of relief as their comrade returns to consciousness.

After Rodon’s destruction Red Dwarf
14

Clerics return to Cat Fleet

The three clerics are returned to the Cat Fleet and express their gratitude to Lister for guiding them toward the true legend. They reveal they will worship Rimmer rather than their former god, changing the balance of religious power on the fleet. Lister’s actions cement a new alliance between humans and felines.

Ending Cat Fleet
15

Dwarfers return home

With the crisis resolved, the Dwarfers part ways with the Cat Fleet and head back home aboard Red Dwarf. They reflect on their strange adventure and prepare for whatever awaits them next. The crew’s companionship remains stronger than ever as they navigate the stars.

Ending Red Dwarf – heading home

Last Updated: October 14, 2025 at 04:07

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Red Dwarf: The Promised Land

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