Rebel Moon Ending Explained: Who Kora Really is and What Happened to Atticus?
Rebel Moon Part One- A Child of Fire (our review here) has just landed on Netflix, introducing to the public, and all supporters of Zack Snyder’s cinema, a new science fiction universe from whose fertile ground numerous stories blossom, albeit very derivative. The film ended with a cliffhanger, which will serve as a bridge to its second part which promises to be a crackling one, arriving on the streaming platform on 19 April 2024 with the title Rebel Moon: Part 2 – The Scargiver. At the center of the story is Kora, played by Sofia Boutella, a heroine looking for warriors who can help her defend her new home from the tyranny of Admiral Atticus Noble and Regent Balisarius. While waiting to find out what the director has in store for her and her team in the second film, let’s analyze and explain the ending of this first part, which prepares for the great battle that will take place in the sequel.
After debuting on the big screen with a limited release in US theaters on December 15, 2023, Rebel Moon Part One- A Child of Fire made its streaming debut on Netflix on December 21, 2023. Part one of a diptych that mixes fantasy, science fiction, and action, it is directed by Zack Snyder – who had already directed “Army of the Dead” for the platform, in 2021 – and stars a cast that includes Sophie Boutella, Michiel Huisman, Charlie Hunnam, Djimon Hounsou, Doona Bae, Staz Nair, Ray Fisher, and Ed Skrein. While waiting to see Rebel Moon: Part 2 – The Scargiver, released on April 19, 2024, let’s find out how this first act of the ambitious project ends.
Rebel Moon Part One- A Child of Fire: The Story Plot
The story of Rebel Moon Part One- A Child of Fire is the synthesis of the completely derivative spirit of the film, combined with the simplicity of a plot that Zack Snyder had recently abandoned, not a positive thing for an artist who does not have his best talent or main interest in writing. To tell the truth, there are also structural flaws here, with all that we are dealing with something truly essential. Following a conspiracy due to internal struggles, born following the disastrous consequences of continuous wars, the King of the Mother Planet is killed, a thousand-year-old dynasty at the helm of a Kingdom that reigns supreme throughout the world. known universe. In his place, a general came to power as Regent, sowing death and destruction. He is opposed by a group of Rebels ready to do anything to enforce the values of justice and charity. Elementary, concise. Point.
This is the story of Kora (Boutella), our protagonist, who found refuge from her tormented past in a community of farmers on a small moon. A place of peace and prosperity, where people lead a quiet and simple life, where honor is earned with the sweat of their brow. Everything changes when the army of the Mother Planet appears among them too, showing off its boundless greed and its cruel brutality. This triggers a series of unpleasant events due to which we find ourselves forced to deal with old ghosts that she thought were buried, given that, to save her new home, she will have to fight against the Kingdom. Together with a local man, Gunnar (Huisman), he sets off in search of new warriors to recruit to join their desperate cause, which is why the only places to find them are the slums of the galaxy, among the forgotten planets, the tormented souls, forgotten legends and slaves without a future. If perhaps, along the way, the opportunity was to arise to take advantage of the help of some rebels, it wouldn’t be bad. Will this band of outsiders be enough to defeat the Kingdom’s terrible army and protect a small moon?
At the center of Rebel Moon Part One- A Child of Fire, we find the story of Kora. taking possession of everything they have produced up to that moment arrives on site with the sole objective of “Mother World” (Sofia Boutella), a young, strong, and mysterious woman who, for unknown reasons, has found refuge in a peasant village located on a distant planet. The peace and deep connection with the land of these people reign supreme in a context of peace when the government of the so-called. The villain of the moment, the admiral Atticus Noble (played by Ed Skrein), shows no interest in the lives of others, remaining firmly anchored to some typical stereotypes of the villain without depth or objectives other than the power and evil of others. The very aesthetic that characterizes him is full of references to characters of a negative historical or military nature, recycling in his predictable passage moments that are easy to read for everyone.
Atticus’s actions on the spot, together with those of his subordinates, will inspire a personal revolt on the part of Kora who, in front of their obvious and vulgar injustices, will choose to intervene with brute force and then seek support in a journey in search of allies in this sense. The journey and personal anger are the only two elements to fuel a narrative that chooses an extremely repetitive structure to explain its reasons to spectators. Since help is needed, the total intention of Rebel Moon Part One- A Child of Fire will focus on multiple sequences in which we will see the protagonist recruit the other protagonists demonstrating to them what they know how to do and their desire to take back what they have previously lost. The new meeting, chat about getting to know each other, phrases to convince them, key scenes in slow motion, casual ethics and we move on to the next on the list.
Rebel Moon Ending Explained: Who Kora Really is and What Happened to Atticus?
Embarking on an epic journey, Kora and Gunnar reveal the truth about the bounty hunter Kai and his intricate ties to the oppressive Mother Earth, a fascist government that controls the universe, including the lunar planet Veldt. As Kora and her Rebel squad wage war against Motherworld, losses like that of Darrian Bloodaxe highlight the uphill battle they face, indicating that the Rebellion’s challenges are far from over. When Noble faces Kora, Gunnar, and their allies, a gripping battle ensues. The battlefield becomes a stage for those who are willing to fight for their beliefs. In a dramatic one-on-one duel, Noble attempts to wield his staff against Kora, recalling his actions against Sindri, the father of his planet. However, Noble underestimates Kora, resulting in Kora’s triumphant victory and a return to Veldt with her team, including Jimmy, the last of the fallen king’s knights.
Despite the apparent triumph, a foreboding shadow looms over Noble’s fate. Noble’s return is not as simple as it seems, and Kora and his allies may have celebrated their victory prematurely. The revelation unfolds as Noble lies seemingly defeated, setting the stage for a rescue mission and his unexpected resurrection. Surprisingly, Noble engages in a conversation with the King and emerges with a renewed determination for revenge. His target: the rebel forces, specifically the Bloodaxes and Kora’s team. Noble’s resurrection introduces a formidable opponent, sparking anticipation for the challenges ahead. Sinister Promise: Noble’s menacing gaze. The film ends with Noble’s ominous look promising a complex battle between good and evil, breathlessly, he locks eyes with the audience, leaving an eerie promise of what lies ahead. Kora is poised to discover that Noble transcends the conventional villain archetype, setting the stage for an intense battle in Rebel Moon: Part 2 – The Scargiver out April 19, 2024.
Kai’s Betrayal?
In the film the audience encounters something unexpected at the turning point of the story: Kai, a mercenary killer who had helped Kora at the beginning, betrays his team, selling it to Admiral Noble and the Imperium. Many rebel fighters pay the price and later die, although thanks to Gunnar’s courage, many members of the team manage to escape. But why does all this happen? It would have made more sense for Kai not to take sides, if at all, and let them fight alone, rather than do him such a wrong, considering that the rebels, as well as Kai’s people and the planet itself, have been ravaged by the Imperium. But each character has a different and complex relationship with revenge, which is ultimately the central theme of the film. Taking a step back, we remember Kai’s words to Kora when he tells the heroine that it was the Imperium that devastated her planet, so he has reasons both to take revenge and to be on the side of justice, but then his trauma has instead made him a nihilist. After the Imperium destroyed his world, Kai learned a lesson from it, which may be the explanation for his behavior, namely that of “never setting foot on the wrong side of history”.
What Happens to Jimmy?
In Rebel Moon Part One- A Child of Fire we meet Jimmy, the last member of a race of mechanical knights who served under the fallen king, and who is recruited by Kora. After the latter fights against the Imperium soldiers on the Veldt shortly before going to find the other warriors, we see Jimmy stay behind and not appear again until the end of the film, when he is then shown in a cornfield with a cloak and an elaborate horned headdress, with no explanation. Jimmy’s call to the horns is an important preparation for the second part of Rebel Moon, in which he will have a broader narrative arc, although some insights into the character can already be seen in the extended and R-rated version which should arrive later. Meanwhile, from what we have been able to see with the product now available on Netflix, the scene at the end of the film is only a preview of what will happen in the second part.
The Battle Between Kora and Atticus Noble?
Towards the end of Rebel Moon Part One- A Child of Fire, Kora and her team suffer Kai’s betrayal and an intense battle breaks out between our heroes and Atticus’ army. Thus, we see Gunnar free Kora and kill Kai; Bloodaxe sacrificing himself for the team; and an impressive duel between two key characters. It turns out that Kora and Noble begin to fight for several minutes… until the protagonist manages to attack the admiral, knock out his teeth and let him fall from the platform to a supposedly certain death.
Where Do the Survivors Go?
After the confrontation, Kora, Gunnar, Tarak, Nemesis, General Titus, and Millius return to Veldt, where they seem to be safe from the fury of the Empire, although they are aware that they must prepare for the revenge of the powerful. In the distance, we also see Jimmy, who is wearing some kind of crown. This element could mean that the character is ready to take on a new role in the story. As we know, he is the last of a race of mechanical knights built to protect Issa and her family. Then, after the princess’s death, he could find his new purpose in defending the people of Veldt.
What Happened to Atticus Noble?
On the other hand, the great surprise of the outcome was discovering that the body of Admiral Atticus Noble could be transported to the Empire Battleship, where he was connected to a machine that brought him back to life. There, his mind is telepathically transported to a frozen lake, where he converses with Balisarius – the tyrant who took control of the Homeworld – and confirms that he has found Arthelais (“She-Who-Leaves-Marks”).
Is Noble Really Dead?
After Kai betrays the team and sells them to Admiral Noble and the Imperium, Kora still manages to defeat him, causing him to fall from the platform. Although he is presumed dead, Noble is brought back aboard the Imperium’s dreadnought, The King’s Gaze, where he is connected to a machine that ultimately brings him back to life. What happens is unclear, but it could be that the device to which he is connected, in addition to having extraordinarily advanced technology, also has some ethereal or perhaps even extradimensional properties. If we go back to the beginning of Rebel Moon Part One- A Child of Fire, we see an Imperium dreadnought being shown passing through a portal of blue energy that resembles the energy used by the machine to revive Noble. Given that the same machine also transports Nobel’s mind into some sort of other dimension where he talks to Balisarius, it could be that the two technologies are somehow connected.
Who is Noble Talking to on the Frozen Lake?
Earlier we remembered Noble’s death at the hands of Kora. At this point, just before he is brought back to life by the super-machine, he is transported to a frozen lake where he speaks with Regent Balisarius. The precise location where this conversation takes place remains unknown, but it does not appear to be a real location, as we see Noble’s body unwounded and fully clothed. So it could be anything, even an alternate dimension, but wherever it is, Balisarius has a certain level of control over it, especially since he also manages to send Noble back. The plane of ice could therefore have many implications, but on a functional level, it could just be a means that the Imperium uses to communicate over long distances. The opening of Rebel Moon Part One- A Child of Fire shows the dreadnought going through a portal with similar energy, so it’s likely there’s some relationship.
Who is Kora?
According to the testimony of Atticus, Kora is the daughter of Balisarius: Arthelais, one of the most awarded and dangerous warriors in the history of armed conflict. She was adopted by the villain after the destruction of her homeworld and trained to become a fighting machine. Therefore, the tyrant rebukes his subordinate: “Should I be happy that (my daughter) has joined the brilliant Battlefield Commander, General Titus?”
Faced with this, the admiral suggests that he bring him his head, but Balisarius states: “The head that is in the most danger is his. Crush every last member of this insurgency, did he hear me? And then capture my daughter alive and bring my precious girl before me. Thus, I crucify her in the shadow of the Senate. If he does not bring her to me, the public execution that will make the Senators tremble and whose screams will echo in the marble corridors will be his”. In that sense, Noble’s new mission is to put an end to the resistance in Veldt and capture Kora alive, so that her master can kill her for her rebellion. Will she make it? We will see that in Rebel Moon: The Scargiver, the sequel that premieres in 2024.
Preparation for the Second Part?
Rebel Moon Part One- A Child of Fire ends with a cliffhanger, which comes shortly after Kai’s betrayal. The flashback to Kora’s origins reveals that she was an important figure in the Imperium’s army, and we ultimately discover that Balisarius was like a father to her. At this point in the story, in the final lines, when Kora’s identity is revealed, Balisarius orders Noble to go and retrieve her, but she lives with her. The stakes get even higher from here on out, as Noble’s conquest against the farming village of Veldt is now personal. The surviving fighters recruited by Kora, including Gunnar, Nemesis, General Titus, Tarak, and Milius, all return to Veldt, where Jimmy – who as we said appears at the end of the film – will also join them. Given that Rebel Moon‘s narrative is heavily inspired by Seven Samurai and Star Wars, it’s (almost) clear that the villagers will be trained to defend themselves from a counterattack by Noble and the Imperium in its second part arriving in April 2024.
