The Revenant

The Revenant

Year: 2015

Runtime: 156 min

Language: English

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu

Budget: $135M

AdventureDramaThrillerWestern

In the harsh American wilderness of the 1820s, fur trapper Hugh Glass is brutally attacked by a bear and left for dead by his hunting companions. Driven by a fierce will to live and fueled by a desire for revenge, he embarks on a grueling journey across hundreds of miles to seek retribution. Battling the elements and facing constant danger, Glass's resilience and determination are pushed to their limits in a desperate fight for survival.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Revenant (2015)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Revenant (2015). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1820s

The 1820s was a tumultuous decade marked by expansion and conflict in America. It was a time when the fur trade flourished, leading to increased interactions—and oftentimes violent confrontations—between settlers and Native American tribes. This era reflects both the allure of adventure and the dark realities of colonialism.

Location

Fort Kiowa, the wilderness

Fort Kiowa serves as a crucial waypoint for explorers and traders during the early 19th century. Surrounded by vast wilderness, this region is known for its challenging terrain and the fierce native tribes that inhabit it. The landscapes are as beautiful as they are unforgiving, embodying the struggle of survival in a harsh environment.

🏞️ Nature 🏰 Fortifications

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:16

Main Characters – The Revenant (2015)

Meet the key characters of The Revenant (2015), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio)

Hugh Glass is a fierce and resilient frontiersman driven by his desire for vengeance. His character evolves from a loving father to a man consumed by survival instincts after enduring immense tragedy. Glass's journey showcases his determination, as well as the emotional and physical toll of his harrowing experiences.

🪓 Survivor 🧔🏻‍♂️ Vengeful 🌲 Wilderness

Hawk (Forrest Goodluck)

Hawk is Glass's mixed-heritage son, who embodies innocence and strength. He is loyal to his father and represents the bridge between two cultures. Despite his tragic fate, Hawk's influence remains a driving force in Glass's quest for revenge.

🦅 Loyalty 🌍 Mixed heritage 😢 Tragedy

John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy)

John Fitzgerald is an antagonist who embodies greed and betrayal. His ruthless nature is on full display as he harasses Hawk and ultimately leaves Glass for dead, showcasing a dark side of human nature. Fitzgerald's actions set the stage for the central conflict in Glass's journey.

🔫 Antagonist 🎭 Deceitful ❌ Betrayer

Captain Andrew Henry (Domhnall Gleeson)

Captain Andrew Henry is a pragmatic leader of the hunting party, torn between duty and morality. His instinct to save Glass reflects his humanity, contrasting with Fitzgerald's cruelty. Henry's character highlights the moral dilemmas faced by those in survival situations.

🏹 Leader ⚖️ Moral complexity 🚶‍♂️ Pragmatic

Jim Bridger (Will Poulter)

Jim Bridger is a young member of the hunting party who demonstrates loyalty and compassion. Torn between the harsh realities of their situation and a desire to help, his character embodies the internal struggle faced by those navigating treachery and survival.

🤝 Loyalty 🧑‍🌾 Compassionate 🤔 Torn

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:16

Major Themes – The Revenant (2015)

Explore the central themes of The Revenant (2015), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚔️ Vengeance

The quest for vengeance drives the narrative of The Revenant, as Hugh Glass's journey becomes a personal crusade after the loss of his son. This theme explores the depths of human resilience and the moral complexities that arise from seeking retribution. Glass's relentless pursuit highlights both the physical and emotional scars wrought by violence.

🏕️ Survival

Survival is central to Glass's odyssey as he navigates the unforgiving wilderness. The film portrays the primal instinct to endure against seemingly insurmountable odds. His journey encapsulates the struggle for existence amidst nature's brutality, showcasing both human strength and vulnerability.

💔 Loss

Loss permeates the narrative, driving Glass's motivations and creating a haunting backdrop to his experiences. The death of his son and the bond he shared with his wife fuel his actions throughout the film. This theme poignantly illustrates the heavy toll that grief can take on one's spirit.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:16

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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.

Brutal Survival Movies like The Revenant

Stories of extreme human endurance against a merciless natural world.If you were captivated by the raw survival struggle in The Revenant, explore more movies like it. This thread features intense stories of characters battling the elements in harsh wildernesses, focusing on physical endurance and the sheer will to live against all odds.

brutalrelentlessinhospitablevisceralgruelingprimaldesolate

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a protagonist, often isolated, who must overcome a series of extreme physical challenges to survive. The journey is linear and focused, with the external environment serving as the primary antagonist. Character development is shown through action and endurance rather than dialogue, emphasizing a stripped-down, elemental conflict between life and death.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared high-intensity focus on physical survival. They boast a dark, serious tone, heavy emotional weight, and a steady, relentless pace that mirrors the arduous journey of the protagonist. The common thread is the immersive, often harrowing experience of witnessing human resilience tested by nature.

Movies about Grief and Vengeance like The Revenant

A tragic loss ignites a solitary, punishing quest for retribution.For viewers who appreciated the powerful themes of grief and revenge in The Revenant, this section collects similar films. Discover stories where a devastating loss sets a character on a bleak and arduous path, driven by a consuming need for retribution amidst themes of betrayal and emotional scars.

vengefulagonizinggrimbleakdeterminedsombertraumatic

Narrative Summary

The narrative begins with a catalytic, traumatic event—typically a betrayal or murder—that shatters the protagonist's world. The ensuing journey is both external, across a challenging landscape, and internal, through layers of grief and rage. The plot is straightforward in its goal but complex in its emotional toll, often culminating in a resolution that is somber or hollow rather than triumphant.

Why These Movies?

These films share a core DNA of a protagonist motivated by deep-seated grief and a singular desire for revenge. They are united by a dark, serious tone, a steady narrative pace focused on the goal, and a heavy emotional weight stemming from loss. The combination of a personal vendetta with a physically taxing journey creates a distinct, somber vibe.

Unlock the Full Story of The Revenant

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

The Revenant Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Revenant, 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 Revenant Summary

The Revenant Timeline

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

The Revenant Timeline

The Revenant Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Revenant 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 Revenant Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Revenant

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

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Discover movies like The Revenant 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.