Dwayne Johnson | Gal Gadot | Mads Mikkelsen

Adapting the iconic video game, God of War casts Dwayne Johnson as Kratos, Gal Gadot as a warrior ally, and Mads Mikkelsen as a Norse god, directed by Alex Garland. This 2025 epic blends mythic rage with cinematic spectacle. Does it live up to the game’s legacy, or falter? As a critic who’s battled more adaptations than gods, I’ll say this: God of War is a visually stunning, action-packed epic, but its narrative struggles to match its brutal grandeur.

The plot follows Kratos (Johnson), a Spartan exile in Norse lands, seeking redemption for his son Atreus (Noah Jupe) after angering Odin (Mikkelsen). Gadot’s Freya-like warrior aids their quest through icy realms and godly battles. Garland’s direction delivers visceral combat – a Jötunheim brawl with CGI giants is breathtaking – and the score by Bear McCreary echoes the game’s epic tones. Johnson’s raw intensity fits Kratos, though his charisma overshadows the character’s brooding depth. Gadot shines, Mikkelsen’s menace chills