Warning: This article contains spoilers for Uncharted! The climax of the Uncharted movie indicates the possibility of a burgeoning franchise, inspired by the much-acclaimed video game series. In this action-adventure spectacle, we follow Nathan Drake, played by Tom Holland, as he partners with Sully (Mark Wahlberg) on a quest for his long-lost brother, the elusive Magellan treasure, and ultimately, a sense of self-discovery. With elements including petty theft against a privileged antagonist, a brother’s mysterious disappearance, and an array of relentless treasure seekers, the narrative brims with intrigue. But does it harbor deeper meanings or symbolism?
Breaking away from the typical clichés of modern blockbusters—like villain deconstruction and pervasive thematic bleakness—Uncharted crafts a story that bridges the feel of The Goonies with the intrigue of The Da Vinci Code. This makes for a family-friendly cinematic experience while capturing the essence that made the Uncharted games favorites among fans. Despite its seemingly straightforward plot, the film delves into profound moral themes such as greed and loyalty, wrapped in an entertaining presentation. Overflowing with Easter eggs and thrilling action sequences, the movie concludes on a note that hints at a sequel, raising the question: what does the ending signify?
Is Uncharted’s Treasure Lost Forever?
Someone Could Still Retrieve The Magellan Treasure
Even though the narrative revolves around Sully’s obsession with the Magellan treasure, none of the characters walk away with it by the film’s end. Braddock (Tati Gabrielle) aims to haul the treasure by airlifting Magellan’s ships, but both vessels meet catastrophic fates, with their valuable cargo sinking beneath the waves. The 500-year-old ships endure most of their journey until they collide with each other and a rocky cliff. Sully confirms that at least some of the treasure from one ship, identified as recoverable, belongs to the Philippine government.
While one ship’s wreckage presents challenges to salvage the treasure, another’s disintegration makes reclaiming some goods feasible. There remains a strong possibility that portions of the treasure can still be retrieved. This prospect may occupy the time of Chloe Frazer in the wake of Nate’s perceived betrayal. Despite Sully brushing off the potential for recovery, millions could still be scattered across the treacherous waters surrounding the shipwreck.
The film intriguingly carries a strong moral undertone regarding greed and the motives driving its treasure-hunters. Nathan Drake begins his journey as a clever thief who uses his bar job to fund his modest lifestyle, a shady past that Sully exploits to recruit him—ultimately, devoid of remorse. The unquenchable greed of characters like Santiago Moncada (Antonio Banderas) and Braddock starkly contrasts with Nate’s more justified treasure-seeking motivations, driven largely by economic necessity.
How Sam Is Alive (And Where He’s Locked Up)
Sully May Have The Answers
The conclusion of the Uncharted movie also uncovers a twist concerning Sam, Nathan’s brother. After initially allowing Nate to believe Sam is simply missing, Sully reveals that Sam was allegedly shot by Braddock, receiving posthumous guidance on treasure clues as his last act. The final credits scene surprisingly showcases a bearded Sam, confirming he is alive yet imprisoned, desperately trying to communicate with his brother.
If the film mirrors the storyline from the games, particularly Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, Sam’s survival stems from a mission gone awry rather than his presumed death. Nate had mistakenly believed Sam to be dead after a fallout. Both characters ultimately reconnect when Sam is bailed out of custody. It casts doubt on Sully’s claims regarding Sam’s fate—either Sully is mistaken, or he plays a more involved role in Sam’s captivity than it appears.
What Sam’s Warning To Nate Means
The ending credits reveal Sam’s ominous caution to Nathan through a note instructing him to “watch his back.”While Sam’s earlier messages remain somewhat cryptic, this warning insinuates potential betrayal, perhaps against Sully or his associates. Their partnership, albeit based on shared quests, often oscillates between camaraderie and distrust, a theme that could resurface in a sequel.
There’s also the chance that Sam suspects Sully of orchestrating his imprisonment, or alternatively, Sam’s story may be far from the truth, suggesting intentional deception mirroring his narrative from the games. As Nathan ventures through a world rife with treachery, Sam’s dire caution reflects the incessant threat posed by their adversaries and may foreshadow deeper revelations regarding Sully’s involvement.
Uncharted Sequel Story: Who Gage & Roman Are
The Uncharted 2 Villains May Have Been Revealed
The second post-credits scene of Uncharted introduces a new antagonist named Gage, portrayed by Pilou Asbæk, known for his villainous role in Game of Thrones. While Gage is a new character to the film, his superior, Roman, has roots in the franchise’s lore. Gabriel Roman is a British crime lord fixated on discovering lost artifacts, notably Sir Francis Drake’s coffin that leads to the fabled city of El Dorado—revealed in the movie as Nathan’s ancestor.
As the film progresses, fans can anticipate Roman’s involvement, setting the stage for conflicts to unfold in a sequel, even if casting details remain unconfirmed for the role.
What’s Next For Chloe Frazer?
Introducing Elena May Make Chloe’s Story Difficult To Continue
The ending leaves uncertainty regarding Chloe Frazer’s role moving forward. It seems improbable that Sophia Ali’s depiction of Chloe will simply forgive Nate and Sully for their earlier deception regarding the Magellan treasure. Should they venture onto the trail of Francis Drake’s coffin and El Dorado, it stands to reason that Chloe would join them on their treasure hunt. Signs throughout the film hint at Nathan’s underlying feelings for her, despite the betrayal.
The challenge arises since the introduction of Elena Fisher, a character who becomes Nathan’s wife in the game series, may complicate Chloe’s storyline in prospective sequels. If the sequel adapts elements from Drake’s Fortune, the presence of Elena could prevent Chloe from returning to this treasure-hunting adventure.
Why Uncharted Waited To Give Sully A Mustache
The Subtle Appearance Change Builds Hype For A Sequel
Mark Wahlberg’s portrayal of Victor Sullivan diverges from the character as envisioned in the games, but the ending hints at a future closer to the source material. The decision to withhold Sully’s signature look until the film’s conclusion echoes tactics employed in recent video game adaptations—for instance, the reveal of Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik’s iconic look during the post-credits of Sonic The Hedgehog.
This strategic reveal aims to assure viewers that they will encounter a more recognizable version of Sully in potential sequels. However, the film’s mixed reviews may cloud the likelihood of such developments.
Can Uncharted Really Become A Franchise For Tom Holland?
The Viability Of More Uncharted Movies Is Still Uncertain
The conclusion of the Uncharted movie bravely hints at sequels, yet it remains ambitious amidst uncertainties. Historically, multiple films have teased sequels that never materialized, and despite the flicker of hope from initial box office reactions, the film’s hefty production costs of $120 million suggest that a sequel is far from guaranteed. Although Holland and Wahlberg share dynamic chemistry, their collaborative future—whether within a sequel or otherwise—hinges on the economic viability of replicating the Uncharted game’s episodic structure.
As for Tom Holland’s trajectory, Nathan Drake is a character ripe with potential for further exploration. The film hints at numerous unresolved mysteries awaiting Holland’s Drake, allowing for thematic depth that could showcase his acting range. The interplay of youth against cynicism, the temptations of greed, the burden of tainted riches, and the essence of loyalty all hold substantial weight in Nathan Drake’s journey, making it a compelling role for Holland. While the studio’s prospects for franchise expansion may appear murky, Holland’s career could benefit significantly from pursuing this pathway.
Is Uncharted 2 Happening?
A Sequel Has Been Confirmed, But Progress Is Slow
Despite the potential for a sequel teased in Uncharted, progress seems stagnant. Although its surprise box office success and the conclusion of the film have audiences eager for more, Tom Holland has announced he will take an acting hiatus, which casts a shadow over the timeline for Uncharted 2. Fans remain hopeful for developments following the promising ending of the film, but they may have to be patient as the future unfolds.
How The Uncharted Movie Ending Compares To The Game
The 2022 Film Tells Quite A Different Story
Drawing parallels between the ending of the Uncharted film and the games is complex due to significant narrative changes. Characters such as Santiago Moncada and Jo Braddock were created exclusively for the film, meaning events like Sam’s supposed shooting by Braddock deviate from the established game lore.
The plot of the movie loosely draws from the fourth game, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, which serves as a prequel to the first installment in the game franchise. However, the storylines diverge substantially; for instance, Nathan Drake partners with Sam to pursue the legendary treasure of explorer Henry Avery, a quest that starkly contrasts with the treasure hunt featured in the film. These distinctions render direct comparisons between the movie’s and games’ conclusions nearly impossible.
The Real Meaning Of The Uncharted Ending
The Action Adventure Story Doesn’t Have Much Thematic Depth
While the finale of the 2022 Uncharted film was entertaining, it lacked thematic depth or profound messages. The closing sequence primarily served two functions: offering exhilarating action-packed scenes and building anticipation for future installments in the franchise. The resolution was as straightforward as it appeared.
Movies like Uncharted rarely promise intricate storytelling. Its goal was to deliver an action-oriented adaptation of an iconic series, and on this front, it undeniably succeeded. There was a low expectation that the ending might convey any deeper messages; however, future sequels may choose to tackle such themes, potentially utilizing their narratives to explore more profound concepts.
How The Uncharted Ending Was Received
Responses Were Mixed
Critics and audiences have expressed a wide range of reactions to the 2022 Uncharted film. Currently, it holds a 41% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while audience feedback is considerably more favorable at 89%. The divisiveness is palpable, with some reviewers praising Tom Holland’s portrayal of Nathan Drake amidst a sea of critical disapproval. For instance, Erik Kain of Forbes asserted, “The Critics Must Be Crazy: Tom Holland’s ‘Uncharted’ Movie Is Great,”countering many negative assessments.
Notably, the film’s ending did not significantly feature in most reviews. This is not unexpected, as the action-driven plot often overshadowed thematic substance. As Erik Kain emphasized:
“[Uncharted] sits nicely in the ‘big cinematic action-adventure-treasure-heist’ genre that the Uncharted games occupy. The story isn’t anything to write home about, but it’s perfectly fine and entertaining. There’s plenty of double-crossing, lots of jaw-dropping action and a good dose of humor throughout.”
Interestingly, reviews that were highly critical often noted the climax as one of the film’s standout aspects. For example, Nick De Semlyen of Empire mentioned that the final act delivered “only the final 20 minutes, with a pirate-ship battle that takes to the skies,”as the only portion he found enjoyable:
“Only the final 20 minutes, with a pirate-ship battle that takes to the skies, lives up to the giddy, inventive spectacle of the source material. Otherwise, Uncharted plods around an all-too-familiar map.”
To summarize, the 2022 Uncharted film did not achieve the level of critical acclaim or box office success anticipated. Ultimately, the film’s ending isn’t responsible for its failures or shortcomings in execution.
Related Articles:
Streaming Hit: Cop Crime Thriller Achieves 90% Audience Score
2:46
Rhaenyra’s Trust in Daemon Explored: Emma D’Arcy Discusses House of the Dragon Season 2
2:44
Key Takeaways to Remember for Severance Season 2
2:35
Leave a Reply