- PG-13
- 2h 24m
- Directed by
-
- Bryan Singer
- Story
- Dan Harris
- Premiered
- May 18, 2016
- Language
-
- English
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $178,000,000.00
- Revenue
- $543,934,787.00
- Awards
-
- 1 win & 19 nominations total
- Country
-
- United States of America
X-Men: Apocalypse
- Production
-
- The Donners' Company
- Bad Hat Harry Productions
- Genre Films
- Hutch Parker Entertainment
- and 3 more
Spoiler
In the annals of ancient Egypt, circa 3600 BC, a civilization bowed in reverence to En Sabah Nur, a being of immense power. His devoted followers, the Four Horsemen – Pestilence (Warren Scherer), Famine (Rochelle Okoye), Death (Monique Ganderton), and War (Fraser Aitcheson) – facilitated a ritual within his grand pyramid. Their objective: to transfer En Sabah Nur's consciousness into a younger, more suitable vessel, embodied by Oscar Isaac. As the sun's rays pierced the pyramid's apex, the ancient ceremony commenced. However, the populace, turning against their deity, unleashed a devastating assault. Massive stone pillars, dislodged from the pyramid's structure, cascaded downwards, aiming to obliterate En Sabah Nur and his loyal Horsemen. While the Horsemen valiantly defended themselves against the rebellious Egyptians, the pyramid crumbled around them. Death, with a final act of protection, shielded the chosen successor, ensuring the ritual's completion even as the structure collapsed, entombing En Sabah Nur beneath the rubble.
Fast forward to 1983, in a high school classroom in Ohio. The echoes of a decade-old event reverberate as students discuss Erik Lensherr's (Michael Fassbender) infamous attack at a Paris peace summit, an act thwarted by Raven Darkholme (Jennifer Lawrence), also known as Mystique. Amidst this historical reflection, a student named Scott Summers (Tye Sheridan) experiences a peculiar discomfort in his eyes. A classmate's misunderstanding, mistaking his discomfort for a flirtatious wink, prompts Scott to seek refuge in a bathroom stall. The same classmate, emboldened by Scott's retreat, confronts him with threats. In a moment of uncontrolled power, Scott opens his eyes, unleashing a potent energy blast that propels the aggressor against the wall, revealing his latent mutant abilities.
Meanwhile, in Berlin, a clandestine gathering witnesses the mutant Angel (Ben Hardy) engaged in a brutal fight against a formidable opponent, seemingly the Blob. Following his victory, Angel prepares for his next challenger. This new contender, Kurt Wagner (Kodi Smit-McPhee), also known as Nightcrawler, is brought forth in a cage. Nightcrawler's unique ability to teleport is severely hampered by the cage's electrified lining, preventing his escape. Raven, having infiltrated the venue, escalates the electrical current. Nightcrawler, seizing the opportunity, incapacitates Angel, pinning him against the electrified cage and severely damaging his wings. With Raven's crucial assistance, Nightcrawler manages to break free.
Erik Lensherr, now living under the alias Henryk Gorzky in Poland, has built a semblance of a normal life. He works in a factory and is a devoted husband to Magda (Carolina Bartczak) and father to Nina (T.J. McGibbon). During a bedtime story, Nina inquires about her father's past, prompting Erik to recount the tragic loss of his own parents.
Scott's brother, Alex (Lucas Till), also known as Havok, brings Scott to the Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, his eyes bandaged to prevent further accidental outbursts. At the school, Scott encounters Hank McCoy (Nicholas Hoult), or Beast, a teacher, and inadvertently bumps into Jean Grey (Sophie Turner), a powerful telepath. Alex then introduces Scott to Charles Xavier (James McAvoy). Scott removes his bandages to practice his aim, but his uncontrolled blast splits a cherished tree planted by Charles's grandfather. Impressed by Scott's raw power, Charles immediately enrolls him.
Raven arrives at a location where a mutant named Caliban (Tomas Lemarquis) aids mutants in acquiring forged identification documents and passports. Nightcrawler has his photograph taken, preparing for Raven to escort him to the United States.
Back in Egypt, Moira MacTaggert (Rose Byrne), an operative, stumbles upon a hidden subterranean chamber. This discovery leads her to the resting place of En Sabah Nur. A group of his devoted followers engage in a chant that reanimates him in his fully powered Apocalypse form. The ensuing explosion buries the followers, while Moira narrowly escapes. The seismic event triggers an earthquake felt across the continent, impacting Erik's workplace. A vat of molten metal topples, narrowly missing a worker until Erik, with his magnetic abilities, intervenes and saves the man.
That night, the students at Xavier's school sense an impending danger. Charles instructs everyone to remain in their rooms. He visits Jean, who is experiencing a violent tremor and emitting distressed sounds. Charles probes her mind and witnesses her terrifying visions of widespread chaos and destruction. Jean awakens, convinced she has foreseen the end of the world, and expresses her fear of her own powers. Charles reassures her, emphasizing the immense potential of her abilities.
In Egypt, Ororo Monroe (Alexandra Shipp), or Storm, utilizes her weather manipulation powers to create a brief sandstorm, enabling her to rob two men. As they pursue her, Apocalypse observes her display of power. He follows them to a scene where the men prepare to sever her hand. Apocalypse intervenes, using his own abilities to decapitate three of the assailants with sand and trapping the remaining man within an adjacent wall.
Erik, sensing his exposure, informs Magda that they must leave. Their search for Nina proves fruitless; she is neither in her room nor the yard. A noise from the woods draws Erik and Magda to investigate. They find Nina held captive by a group of officers. The officers confront Erik about the factory incident and his past attack on the White House. He confesses and pleads for Nina's release, which is granted. As Erik rejoins the officers, Nina cries out for her father not to be taken. The sound of her voice, a manifestation of her mutant ability, causes birds to attack the officers. An arrow, accidentally discharged by one officer, strikes and fatally wounds both Nina and Magda. Erik rushes to his family's side, overcome with grief. He retrieves Nina's necklace and uses it as a projectile, impaling each officer and exacting his revenge.
Charles and Hank utilize Cerebro to investigate the earthquake's cause. Charles locates Moira in Egypt, still harboring feelings for her. Charles and Alex travel to CIA headquarters in Langley to visit Moira. Though her memories of Charles have been erased, she recognizes him. Moira reveals her investigation into En Sabah Nur's history and motives, detailing his plan to recruit the Horsemen, granting them extraordinary powers to facilitate his destructive agenda.
Ororo brings Apocalypse to her humble dwelling, where a poster of Mystique, her idol, adorns the wall. Apocalypse accesses recent history via television, observing the trajectory of humanity. He concludes that the world has strayed from its path and requires a cleansing. He enhances Ororo's powers with a touch.
Raven escorts Nightcrawler to the school, where he meets Jubilee (Lana Condor), Jean, and Scott, who now wears corrective glasses. The group decides to spend an afternoon at the mall, planning to watch "Return of the Jedi."
Apocalypse and Storm then visit Caliban's establishment in search of more powerful mutants. Caliban attempts to defend himself with a weapon, but Apocalypse transforms the bullets into dust. As they advance, Psylocke (Olivia Munn), armed with a psychic katana and a metallic sword, emerges to protect Caliban. Impressed, Apocalypse augments her abilities.
Psylocke leads Apocalypse and Storm to their next recruit: Angel, found in an abandoned building, seemingly diminished from his former glory. Apocalypse transforms Angel's wings into metallic, razor-sharp appendages.
Peter Maximoff (Evan Peters), or Quicksilver, is engrossed in a news report about Magneto. His mother's descent downstairs prompts him to feign playing Mrs. Pac-Man, though she is aware of his true focus and the reason behind it.
Erik returns to the factory to confront his colleagues who reported him to the authorities. As he prepares to exact his vengeance, Apocalypse, Storm, Psylocke, and Angel appear. Apocalypse causes the ground to swallow the men and transports Erik to Auschwitz, the site of his initial power manifestation and the loss of his family. Apocalypse encourages Erik to harness the metal around them, channeling his rage into power. Erik unleashes his fury, destroying surrounding structures, while Apocalypse declares his intention to forge a new world.
Charles, Hank, Alex, and Moira use Cerebro to track Erik. Charles finds him, now fully embracing his Magneto persona, allied with Apocalypse and his Horsemen. During their telepathic exchange, Apocalypse seizes the opportunity to link his mind with Charles's, gaining access to Cerebro and the global network. Apocalypse manipulates world leaders into launching all nuclear missiles into space, neutralizing any potential opposition. Charles, overwhelmed by Apocalypse's power, orders Alex to destroy Cerebro. As the others extract Charles, Apocalypse and his Horsemen materialize. Magneto seizes Charles, and Alex unleashes a blast that triggers a massive explosion. Outside, Quicksilver arrives and evacuates the school with his super-speed, but fails to save Alex. Scott, upon learning of his brother's fate, is devastated.
A helicopter lands, and Moira approaches, assuming it belongs to another agency. The leader, William Stryker (Josh Helman), emerges and removes his mask. His soldiers incapacitate everyone with a sonic blast, save for Scott, Jean, and Nightcrawler. Jean, using her telepathic abilities, manipulates a soldier to conceal them. Stryker captures Raven, Moira, Hank, and Peter. Nightcrawler teleports himself, Scott, and Jean into the helicopter, but the electrified interior prevents their escape.
At Stryker's facility, Moira and the mutants are imprisoned. Hank, having forgone his medication, reverts to his Beast form. Scott, Jean, and Nightcrawler evade guards, but are discovered, forcing Nightcrawler to teleport them again. Simultaneously, Apocalypse brings Charles and the Horsemen to his ancient home. He intends to use Charles to broadcast a global message, but Charles manages to transmit a hidden plea to Jean.
In their cell, Peter confesses to Raven that Magneto is his father, a revelation he had hoped to share personally.
The trio discovers a chamber containing a captive, enraged entity. As guards approach, Jean opens the chamber, unleashing Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), also known as Weapon X. He dispatches the guards with his claws and heads for an exit. Jean intervenes, deactivating his brainwashing mechanism and restoring some of his memories. Wolverine departs without a word. The trio then reaches the cell, and Scott blasts the door open, freeing Moira and the other mutants.
Apocalypse begins reconstructing his pyramid in Egypt and compels Magneto to manipulate the Earth's magnetic poles, initiating global devastation. Apocalypse reveals his ultimate plan: to transfer his consciousness into Charles, thereby controlling all of humanity.
Moira and the assembled mutants fly towards Cairo to rescue Charles and confront Apocalypse. Raven shares her past experiences with her former team, noting that only she and Hank remain. Jean expresses her admiration for Raven, who humbly dismisses the notion of being a hero.
The team converges on Cairo for the climactic confrontation. Beast and the younger mutants prepare for battle, while Quicksilver and Raven, in her Mystique form, approach Magneto. Raven urges the younger mutants to unleash their full potential. Mystique and Quicksilver find Magneto amidst his destructive rampage, attempting to persuade him to fight for good. Mystique assures him of his familial connections. Quicksilver refrains from revealing their relationship.
Storm, Angel, and Psylocke descend to engage. Storm unleashes lightning upon Scott, who deflects it with his optic blasts. Psylocke engages Beast with her blades. Angel seeks a rematch with Nightcrawler. Nightcrawler incapacitates Angel and proceeds into the pyramid to extract Charles during the transfer process. They rejoin the others on their jet, but Angel and Psylocke pursue, attempting to breach the aircraft. Nightcrawler evacuates everyone just as the jet crashes, killing Angel, while Psylocke escapes.
Enraged, Apocalypse captures Quicksilver, who had been delivering rapid blows. Apocalypse traps Quicksilver's foot, breaking his leg, and orders Psylocke to execute him. Psylocke lunges with her katana, but Apocalypse grabs her by the neck, revealing Mystique in disguise. Storm witnesses Apocalypse seemingly killing her hero.
The remaining heroes seek refuge in a building. Charles, still linked to Apocalypse, engages him mentally. Though initially gaining the upper hand, Charles is overpowered. Magneto, realizing his true allegiance, turns on Apocalypse. While Magneto distracts Apocalypse, Charles reaches Jean, drawing her into the mental battle. Jean unleashes her full Phoenix Force power, overwhelming Apocalypse. As he weakens, he attempts to flee, but Storm's lightning prevents his escape. Apocalypse's form disintegrates, leading to his ultimate demise. Psylocke departs discreetly after the battle.
The team returns home. Erik and Jean assist in restoring the school. Ororo asks Peter if he intends to reveal his parentage to Erik. He states he will, eventually. Peter and Ororo decide to remain at the school.
Charles invites Erik to stay, but he chooses to depart, maintaining his friendship with Charles. Charles then enters the Danger Room, where Mystique is commencing training for Scott (now Cyclops), Jean, Storm, Quicksilver, and Nightcrawler to become the X-Men. A simulation begins, pitting the students against Sentinels.
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