Jurassic World Rebirth has roared into theaters as the latest chapter in the iconic Jurassic Park franchise, offering audiences a fresh yet familiar adventure filled with thrilling dinosaur encounters and a compelling standalone story. Directed by Gareth Edwards, known for his work on Rogue One, the film introduces a new cast led by Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey, who embark on a perilous mission to a mysterious island teeming with genetically altered dinosaurs.
Set five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, Jurassic World Rebirth transports viewers to Ile Saint-Hubert, an abandoned InGen research outpost where the remnants of cloning experiments have taken a dangerous turn. The story centers on mercenary Zora Bennett (Johansson), who leads a team including her longtime friend Duncan Kincaid (Ali) and paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis (Bailey) on a quest to secure DNA samples from three different dinosaurs. Their mission, commissioned by pharmaceutical company ParkerGenix, aims to harness these genetic materials to develop medical breakthroughs, specifically targeting heart disease.
However, the expedition quickly spirals into chaos when the team encounters the Delgado family — a father, his two daughters, and the elder daughter’s boyfriend — who have been shipwrecked after a deadly encounter with a Mosasaurus. As they unite to survive, the group soon realizes the island harbors far more than just prehistoric creatures; it is home to terrifying mutant dinosaurs, dubbed Mutadons, which pose a threat far greater than anything previously seen in the franchise.
Jurassic World Rebirth stands out from its predecessors by deliberately crafting a self-contained narrative that does not heavily rely on legacy characters or set up a direct sequel. This approach is partly due to the film’s accelerated production schedule. Director Gareth Edwards revealed in an IndieWire podcast that the team had only three months of pre-production — a stark contrast to the usual two and a half years typical for blockbuster films. Despite the tight timeline, Edwards successfully delivered the movie on schedule, though some creative decisions were influenced by this constraint.
One notable example involves the fate of Duncan Kincaid, portrayed by Mahershala Ali, a two-time Oscar winner. Originally scripted to die heroically in the film’s climax, Ali expressed a preference for his character’s death. Edwards agreed, and the initial cut reflected this ending. However, Universal Pictures, recognizing Ali’s star power and potential for future installments, requested that a version where Duncan survives be filmed. After test screenings, audiences overwhelmingly favored this outcome, leading to the film’s final ending where Duncan distracts the monstrous Distortus rex with a flare, seemingly sacrificing himself, only to reveal his survival moments later.
The Distortus rex itself is a new and formidable antagonist — a genetically mutated hybrid dinosaur that has already wreaked havoc by destroying a rescue helicopter and hunting the survivors relentlessly. Its presence adds a fresh layer of suspense and danger, elevating the stakes beyond previous Jurassic World installments.
Throughout the film, several homages to Steven Spielberg’s original Jurassic Park and other classics are woven in. The score, composed by Alexandre Desplat, features a subtle but poignant use of John Williams’ iconic Jurassic Park theme during the awe-inspiring Titanosaur scene, creating a nostalgic yet novel atmosphere. Additionally, the Mosasaurus sequence is crafted as a respectful nod to Spielberg’s Jaws, balancing moments of excitement and terror to captivate audiences without feeling derivative.
The movie’s mature content aligns with its PG-13 rating, featuring intense sequences of violence and action, bloody images, and some suggestive references. Scenes include graphic dinosaur attacks, such as a man being bitten in half and a helicopter explosion, alongside language peppered with profanity and a minor drug reference. These elements contribute to a darker, more survival-horror tone compared to earlier franchise entries, making the film less suitable for children under 11.
As the survivors make their escape from Ile Saint-Hubert, the film takes a thoughtful turn. Rather than allowing the pharmaceutical company to monopolize the dinosaur DNA for profit, Zora and Henry decide to make the samples open source, envisioning medical advancements that benefit all humanity. This ethical stance offers a refreshing perspective on the franchise’s recurring theme of corporate greed and scientific responsibility.
Jurassic World Rebirth closes without a post-credits scene or epilogue, a deliberate choice that leaves the story feeling complete yet open-ended. The Distortus rex remains alive, hinting at potential future conflicts, but Universal Pictures has yet to confirm any sequels. The film’s box office performance over the July 4 holiday weekend will likely influence whether this new chapter evolves into a trilogy or remains a standalone adventure.
July 2025 is shaping up to be a blockbuster-packed month, with Jurassic World Rebirth leading the charge. Following closely are James Gunn’s Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, alongside horror reboot I Know What You Did Last Summer. The Jurassic franchise’s tradition of summer releases, dating back to the original Jurassic Park’s 1993 debut, underscores the significance of this timing.
Edwards reflects on a piece of advice from Spielberg that encapsulates the spirit of blockbuster filmmaking: “Making a film for the cinema, it's like being a chef and making a meal. The only difference is that when you're a chef for the cinema, the audience has to leave hungry. If they leave full, you've kind of failed.” Judging by early audience reactions and box office numbers, Jurassic World Rebirth seems poised to leave viewers eager for more dinosaur battles and thrilling escapades.
While the future of the franchise remains uncertain, the film’s respectful nods to its storied past and fresh narrative approach offer a promising new direction. Whether Jurassic World Rebirth heralds a rebirth of the series or simply a memorable standalone tale, it underscores that, as Ian Malcolm famously said, “Life finds a way” — and so do dinosaurs on the big screen.
