The Golden Compass

The Golden Compass

Year: 2007

Runtime: 113 min

Language: English

Director: Chris Weitz

Budget: $180M

AdventureFantasyFamily

A thrilling fantasy adventure follows 12-year-old Lyra as she journeys through parallel worlds. Her quest begins with rescuing her friend from the sinister Gobblers but quickly expands into a perilous odyssey. Along the way, she uncovers ancient conflicts and discovers that the fate of multiple universes hangs in the balance. Lyra's journey is intertwined with the fate of Dust, a mysterious substance, and the armored bears who aid her in this dangerous quest.

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Timeline & Setting – The Golden Compass (2007)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Golden Compass (2007). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The movie unfolds in a fantastical realm that blends elements of Victorian England with speculative fiction. This world exhibits a rich tapestry of magical and scientific exploration, coupled with intense political intrigue as characters navigate their allegiances amidst impending doom.

Location

Oxford, Svalbard, Bolvangar

Oxford is an esteemed city known for its prestigious university, where the story begins in Jordan College. Svalbard is an icy, remote land, characterized by its harsh, unforgiving climate, a setting that presents many dangers for Lyra and her friends. Bolvangar serves as an ominous experimental station, symbolizing the dark deeds carried out by the Magisterium.

🏰 Oxford ❄️ Svalbard 🌌 Bolvangar

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:32

Main Characters – The Golden Compass (2007)

Meet the key characters of The Golden Compass (2007), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Lyra Belacqua

Lyra is a courageous and intelligent orphan with a fierce spirit and a strong sense of justice. She is deeply connected to her dæmon, Pantalaimon, which reflects her thoughts and emotions. As the story progresses, she evolves from a naive girl into a determined leader striving to protect her friends and uncover the truth about her origins.

👧 Hero 🦸‍♀️ Leader 🐾 Brave

Lord Asriel

Lord Asriel is a determined and ambitious figure whose explorations into Dust set the narrative into motion. His complex relationship with Lyra reveals layers of his character, blending parental affection with cold ambition. His willingness to defy authority highlights his role as both a shield for Lyra and a potential threat to innocence.

🧑‍🏫 Scholar ⚔️ Defiant 🌌 Explorer

Mrs. Coulter

Mrs. Coulter initially presents herself as a charming and supportive figure but is ultimately revealed to harbor dark intentions tied to the Magisterium. Her duplicity and manipulation pose a significant threat to Lyra and her friends. This duality in her character adds depth to her motivations, reflecting the complexities of loyalty and betrayal.

👩‍⚖️ Manipulative 🩸 Antagonist 🎭 Deceptive

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:32

Major Themes – The Golden Compass (2007)

Explore the central themes of The Golden Compass (2007), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🦄 Identity

The quest for identity resonates throughout the film as Lyra discovers her lineage and the true nature of her existence. The relationship between humans and their dæmons symbolizes the struggle of understanding oneself in a world filled with external expectations and influences. This theme deepens as Lyra confronts her past and embraces her role as a leader.

🗝️ Courage

Courage is a central theme as Lyra faces overwhelming odds and unravels the mysteries around her. From battling fierce antagonists to confronting emotional truths, her journey underscores the importance of bravery in the pursuit of justice and freedom. Lyra’s determination to rescue her friends highlights the transformative power of courage in challenging circumstances.

🦋 Choice

The theme of choice pervades the narrative as characters grapple with moral dilemmas that affect their futures. Lyra's choices influence not only her destiny but also the fate of those around her. The film explores the consequences of one's decisions, especially in a world rife with manipulation and deception.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:32

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Epic Child Protagonist Fantasies similar to The Golden Compass

Thrilling adventures where children face world-altering dangers and complex conspiracies.Discover movies like The Golden Compass, featuring brave young heroes on perilous, high-stakes fantasy journeys. If you enjoyed Lyra's quest across parallel worlds, you'll find similar stories of children battling oppressive forces and uncovering ancient mysteries in complex, richly built universes.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a classic hero's journey, but with a child at its heart. The protagonist, often an orphan or an outsider, discovers a hidden truth about their world or themselves, leading them into a conflict with a powerful, oppressive organization. Their journey is one of rapid discovery, forming alliances, and confronting grave dangers, all while carrying the heavy emotional weight of their mission.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on a child's perspective within a high-stakes epic. They combine high-intensity action and tense atmospheres with themes of friendship, found family, and confronting adult corruption, creating a compelling mix of wonder and peril.

Complex Fantasy Worlds with Political Intrigue like The Golden Compass

Dense, layered stories where metaphysical mysteries clash with systems of power.Explore movies similar to The Golden Compass that feature intricate world-building, political oppression, and deep metaphysical mysteries. If you liked the complex systems of Dust, dæmons, and the Magisterium, you'll enjoy these dense fantasy adventures where uncovering the truth means challenging powerful authorities.

mysteriouscomplexsinisterpoliticalmetaphysicalepictense

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread unfold within a richly detailed universe where understanding the world's unique mechanics is key to the plot. The protagonist's journey to solve a central mystery often brings them into direct conflict with a rigid, authoritarian power structure. The narrative is complex, weaving together political maneuvering, philosophical questions, and high-stakes adventure, leading to resolutions that are often bittersweet and open-ended.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups films based on their commitment to complex lore and the thematic clash between free inquiry and oppressive control. They share a tense tone, fast pacing to navigate the intricate plot, and a heavy emotional weight derived from high-stakes ideological battles.

Unlock the Full Story of The Golden Compass

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

The Golden Compass Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Golden Compass, 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.

The Golden Compass Summary

The Golden Compass Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Golden Compass with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Golden Compass Timeline

The Golden Compass Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Golden Compass 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.

The Golden Compass Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Golden Compass

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

More About The Golden Compass