🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Mathieu Kassovitz
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Release year: 2008
- Runtime (length): 1h 30min
- IMDb rating: 5.5/10 (99K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 6%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Vin Diesel escorts a pregnant psychic from Russia to America while dodging religious fanatics and discovers that he’s inadvertently signed up for a sci-fi nativity play.
🍿 Babylon A.D.: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Mercenary’s Mission
In a dystopian future, Toorop, a hardened mercenary played by Vin Diesel, is offered a lucrative but dangerous job by a powerful gangster, Gorsky. The mission: escort a young woman named Aurora from a remote monastery in Mongolia to New York City. Toorop accepts, unaware of the complexities and dangers that lie ahead.

Across the Wasteland
Accompanied by Sister Rebeka, Aurora’s guardian (played by Michelle Yeoh), Toorop navigates the treacherous landscapes of Russia, now a war-torn and lawless territory. They face various threats, including heavily armed mercenaries and desperate refugees, making the journey perilous and unpredictable. Aurora exhibits strange and unexplained abilities along the way, hinting at her unique nature.

Arrival in New York and Revelation
Upon arriving in New York, Toorop, Aurora, and Sister Rebeka discover the monastery they left behind has been destroyed. They realize they are pawns in a larger game involving a powerful religious sect called the Noelites. Aurora reveals she is pregnant, despite being a virgin, and that she carries twins. The revelation sets off a chain of events, turning Toorop into Aurora’s protector against those who seek to exploit her and her unborn children.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Toorop (Vin Diesel): A hardened mercenary hired to escort Aurora to New York, only to uncover a sinister plot.
- Aurora (Mélanie Thierry): A mysterious young woman with special abilities who is being hunted by various factions.
- Sister Rebeka (Michelle Yeoh): Aurora’s guardian, a skilled martial artist nun dedicated to protecting her.
- Gorsky (Gérard Depardieu): A powerful criminal who hires Toorop for the initial mission, setting the events in motion.
- The High Priestess (Charlotte Rampling): The leader of the Noelite cult, seeking to exploit Aurora for their own agenda.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Toorop: “Don’t f— with me.” – Toorop’s initial response to Sister Rebeka when she imposes rules on him, establishing his tough and uncompromising nature.
- Aurora: “Are you a killer, Mr. Toorop?” – Aurora asks Toorop this question, highlighting the moral conflict at the heart of the film.
- Sister Rebeka: “Just because we are peaceful, doesn’t mean we are weak.” – Sister Rebeka says this, showcasing her strength and capability as a protector.
- Aurora: “I need you to live.” – Aurora says this right before she shoots Toorop in order to save him from a missile, showing the depth of her connection with him.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $70,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $22,532,572
- Worldwide Gross: $72,109,200
💥 Babylon A.D. Reviews
Personal Review
I really wanted to like this movie, especially with Vin Diesel in the lead. The initial setup with the gritty, futuristic world was promising, and Michelle Yeoh was a welcome addition. However, the plot quickly devolved into a confusing mess of action sequences and half-baked ideas. The ending was just… what was that? I left feeling more confused than entertained. The movie had potential, but ultimately failed to deliver a cohesive or satisfying story. Definetely felt like something was missing. This film should be avoided.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Vin Diesel”
- “Viewers interested in dystopian sci-fi movies”
- “Those who enjoy action-packed thrillers with futuristic elements”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Strong violence”
- “Foul language”
- “Suggestive themes”
- “Sci-fi violence”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “Babylon A.D. is a cinematic mess. The action sequences are choppy, the plot incoherent, and the ending abysmal. The film feels heavily tampered with, like crucial scenes were cut, resulting in a confusing and unsatisfying experience. It’s a shame because the futuristic world is visually interesting, and the cast had potential.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Riddled with senseless violence, humorless one-liners, and an incomprehensible plot, Babylon A.D. is a total failure.
- Jamie Robert Ward at invocus.net: “A mixed bag of great moments with terrible ones, all sequenced together incoherently and without any feel for pacing or focused structure. It’s a cinematic Frankenstein; powerful and with meaning at its core but put together with little care for its inherent substance within
Audience Reactions
The futuristic visuals and gritty atmosphere were interesting.: Some viewers appreciated the film’s visual style and world-building, despite the confusing plot.
Michelle Yeoh’s performance was a highlight.: Many viewers praised Michelle Yeoh’s portrayal of Sister Rebeka, citing her action skills and strong presence.
Overall Consensus: Babylon A.D. is a visually interesting but narratively incoherent sci-fi action film that fails to live up to its potential due to a muddled plot and a disappointing ending. The film is better than what the reviews indicate.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Director Mathieu Kassovitz publicly disowned the film, citing studio interference and a significantly altered final cut. He described the theatrical version as a ‘bad episode of 24’.”
- “The film’s budget was approximately $70 million, but it only grossed around $72 million worldwide, making it a box office disappointment.”
- “Different versions of the film were released in the US and Europe, with the European version being about 11 minutes longer, adding more context and plot development.”
🖥️ How to Watch Babylon A.D.?
Babylon A.D. is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray can also be found online and in stores.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Babylon A.D., you might like these similar films:
- Children of Men (2006): Deals with themes of protecting a pregnant woman who may hold the key to humanity’s future in a dystopian setting.
- Strange Days (1995): Features a gritty, near-future world with social unrest and a protagonist who deals in dangerous black market technology.
- Looper (2012): Sci-fi action film with a focus on mercenary work, protection, and moral conflict within a dystopian society.
- Aeon Flux (2005): Set in a futuristic dystopian society and centers around a female operative tasked with protecting a young woman.
🛒 Babylon A.D. Related Products
- Babylon A.D. [Blu-ray]: Experience the chaotic, futuristic action of Babylon A.D. in high definition. The Blu-ray includes special features and behind-the-scenes content, allowing you to delve deeper into the film’s production and visual effects.
- Vin Diesel Action Figure – Custom Collectible: A highly detailed, custom-made action figure of Vin Diesel as Toorop. This collectible features multiple points of articulation and comes with accessories inspired by the movie, making it a must-have for die-hard fans.
- Futuristic Mercenary Costume Kit: Become Toorop with this costume kit, including a replica tactical vest, weathered clothing, and prop weapons. Perfect for cosplay or Halloween, this kit will let you step into the gritty world of Babylon A.D.
- Babylon A.D. Inspired Graphic Novel: Explore the expanded universe of Babylon A.D. with this digital graphic novel. Delve deeper into the world, characters, and backstories that were only hinted at in the film. New stories by various writers and artists.
🎧 Soundtrack
Babylon A.D. features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Babylon A.D. is a sci-fi action thriller about a mercenary hired to transport a young woman with special abilities across a dangerous post-apocalyptic landscape, only to discover she is carrying twins destined for a greater purpose.
Babylon A.D. was filmed in several locations, including the Czech Republic, Sweden (Kiruna), and France. These locations helped create the film’s dystopian and varied landscapes.
Director Mathieu Kassovitz publicly disowned Babylon A.D. due to extensive studio interference. He claimed that 20th Century Fox significantly altered his vision, resulting in a final product that he felt misrepresented his intentions and the original story.
Yes, a longer version of Babylon A.D. exists, reportedly running around 101-160 minutes, compared to the theatrical release of 90 minutes. This extended cut includes additional scenes and plot details that were removed for the US release, addressing some criticisms about the film’s coherence.
🔥 Bonus Content
Babylon A.D. (2008) Gorsky’s Sweet Armored Car
Ever wondered what Gorsky’s Armored Car from Babylon A.D. looks like in detail? This video showcases it in all its glory!
Babylon A.D. Explained In Hindi
If you’ve been curious about the intricacies of Babylon A.D.’s story but prefer Hindi explanations, this video is perfect for you!
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