Year: 2022
Runtime: 92 min
Language: English
Directors: Aaron Nee, Adam Nee
A reclusive romance novelist, Loretta Sage, is taken on a perilous expedition by a quirky billionaire who believes she holds the key to a lost city’s treasure. Her cover model, Alan, a handsome and adventurous man, sets out to find her, determined to demonstrate that he's more than just a face. Together, they navigate dangerous traps and face thrilling challenges in a race to uncover the ancient city's secrets.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen The Lost City 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!
Read the complete plot breakdown of The Lost City (2022), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Dr. Loretta Sage is the creative mind behind romance-adventure novels, featuring the daring Dr. Angela Lovemore and her charismatic counterpart, Dash McMahon. To help boost the promotion of her latest installment, Beth Hatten, her enthusiastic publisher, played by Da’Vine Joy Randolph, insists that Loretta join a book tour alongside Alan Caprison, portrayed by Channing Tatum, who is the eye-catching cover model for Dash. Despite her tendency to avoid the limelight since the passing of her husband, Loretta reluctantly agrees to this venture.
Adding to the pressure, Beth hires Allison (Patti Harrison) as Loretta’s social media manager, whose constant documentation of Loretta’s life becomes a source of annoyance. The tour’s kickoff proves to be a disaster, especially when Alan’s persona as Dash wins over the audience—while Loretta’s more cerebral approach falters. In an embarrassing moment during the event, Loretta humorously announces that Alan’s character will be killed off early in her next novel, which only adds fuel to the chaotic atmosphere.
As fate would have it, the tables turn drastically when Abigail Fairfax, a billionaire played by Daniel Radcliffe, kidnaps Loretta, believing she holds the key to locating the legendary Crown of Fire, a treasure associated with her late husband’s archaeological pursuits. Despite initially refusing to assist him due to the risks involved, Loretta soon finds herself on an unexpected journey after Fairfax chloroforms her and whisks her away to a remote island.
Secretly harboring feelings for Loretta, Alan witnesses the dastardly kidnapping and enlists the help of Jack Trainer, a former Navy SEAL turned CIA operative, to orchestrate a rescue mission. Jack smartly uses Loretta’s phone to track her smartwatch, leading them toward her location in the vast Atlantic Ocean. Meanwhile, Fairfax’s local associate, Rafi, expresses his discontent with the excavation efforts, fearing cultural disrespect towards his people.
While being held captive, Loretta cleverly delays translating a crucial parchment that supposedly reveals the tomb’s location. Eventually, Jack manages to infiltrate Fairfax’s compound and liberates Loretta, but tragedy strikes when he is shot in the chaos, forcing both Loretta and Alan to flee into the treacherous jungle. Unfortunately, Alan panics while driving, causing them to crash the vehicle. During the commotion, Loretta seizes the parchment and sets off a chain of events that leads Fairfax to pursue them deep into the jungle.
Beth, left behind, frantically contacts the authorities, but her pleas for help fall on deaf ears. Determined to rescue her friend, she takes matters into her own hands by hitching a ride with Oscar, an eccentric cargo pilot smitten with her, as they travel to the island where Loretta has been taken.
In the jungle, Loretta and Alan face relentless challenges, evading Fairfax’s henchmen while deciphering clues linked to the elusive treasure. Following a folktale’s hints, Loretta deduces that the Crown of Fire lies within a cenote, a natural body of water in the jungle. However, their discovery results in capture once again, compelling them to share the treasure’s location with Fairfax.
Upon reaching the ancient site, they realize that the tomb resonates with a deeper emotional significance rather than a mere vault of riches; it represents the grief of a queen mourning her lost love. The “treasure” is revealed to be the love story between the king and queen, a poignant detail that wrecks Fairfax’s plans. Just as the volcano erupts, Rafi experiences a change of heart and leaves behind a crowbar, enabling Loretta and Alan to make their escape from Fairfax, who becomes stranded.
With the timely arrival of Beth and the local coast guard, justice prevails as Fairfax is apprehended. In the aftermath, Loretta finds great success with her next book—a thrilling narrative of her escapade with Alan—and a romantic kiss shared between them cements their bond during a book tour.
As a delightful surprise in a mid-credits scene, Jack, who miraculously survived his injuries, surprises Loretta and Alan by joining them in a yoga class, prompting laughter and disbelief.
Last Updated: November 04, 2024 at 04:49
Still wondering what the ending of The Lost City (2022) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.
The ending of The Lost City sees Loretta and Alan escaping from Abigail Fairfax’s clutches after Rafi, a member of the indigenous tribe, has a change of heart and helps them. Abigail’s obsession with finding the treasure culminates in a dangerous descent into caves where he believes the Crown of Fire is hidden. However, instead of uncovering a priceless artifact, they find that the crown is actually a symbol of love—a simple, inexpensive shell ornament from the tomb of King Calaman and Queen Taha. Abigail’s greed leads him to imprison Loretta and Alan in a sarcophagus, intending to steal the treasure for himself, but Rafi manages to leave an iron rod inside, allowing Loretta and Alan to escape by lifting the heavy stone lid.
With Rafi’s aid, Loretta and Alan manage to flee, and police arrive just in time to arrest Abigail and rescue the duo. Throughout this adventure, Loretta undergoes a significant transformation. She recognizes the importance of Alan’s companionship and emotional depth, which she had previously dismissed. The experience helps her heal from her grief over her late husband and see life and love in a new light. By the end, she is inspired to write the sequel to her novel, and she and Alan realize they’ve fallen for each other. The story embraces themes of self-discovery, love, and valuing genuine connection over material riches, rounding off with Loretta finally opening her heart to new beginnings alongside Alan.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:59
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Lost City 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 Lost City is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of The Lost City with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Lost City. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Discover movies like The Lost City that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
The Lost City (2022) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
The Lost City (2022) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
The Lost City (2022) Ending Explained & Theories
Movies Like The Lost City – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Lost (2005) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Lost & Found (2019) Story Summary & Characters
Lost & Found (1999) Full Summary & Key Details
The City of Lost Souls (2002) Story Summary & Characters
Lost in Florence (2017) Ending Explained & Film Insights
The Jewel of the Nile (1985) Detailed Story Recap
Trapped in Paradise (1994) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
The Lost Medallion (2013) Movie Recap & Themes
In the Lost Lands (2025) Ending Explained & Film Insights
The City of Lost Children (1995) Movie Recap & Themes
Snatched (2017) Complete Plot Breakdown
Lost in the Sun (2015) Complete Plot Breakdown
Sahara (2005) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
The Lovers (2015) Film Overview & Timeline
Fool's Gold (2008) Complete Plot Breakdown