Terminator: Dark Fate Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

Trailer

Director: Tim Miller
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Release year: 2019
Runtime (length): 2h 8min
IMDb rating: 6.2/10 (202K votes)
Rotten Tomatoes: 69%

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😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An advanced Terminator travels back in time to kill a woman who will become a leader, but gets thwarted by Sarah Connor, a cyborg super-soldier, and a retired Terminator who now sells drapes, because apparently, Skynet redundancy plans extend to home decor.

🍿 Terminator: Dark Fate: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A New Threat Emerges

In 1998, a T-800 Terminator successfully eliminates John Connor, altering the timeline and preventing the rise of Skynet. However, this doesn’t stop the future war. Years later, Dani Ramos, a young woman in Mexico City, becomes the target of a new advanced Terminator, the Rev-9, sent from a future controlled by an AI known as Legion. Simultaneously, Grace, an augmented human soldier from the future, arrives to protect Dani. Their lives become intertwined as they try to evade the relentless Rev-9 and understand the importance of Dani’s survival in this new timeline.

Sarah Connor’s Return

As Dani and Grace struggle to survive, they unexpectedly encounter Sarah Connor, now a hardened Terminator hunter. Sarah has been receiving cryptic messages detailing the arrival of Terminators, leading her to intervene in Dani’s case. Sarah is driven by the death of her son and is dedicated to preventing another future controlled by machines. The trio forms an unlikely alliance as they realize the Rev-9 is unlike any Terminator they’ve faced before. They must work together to uncover the secrets of Legion and find a way to stop the impending future war.

The T-800’s Transformation

Following the trail of messages, the group arrives in Laredo, Texas, where they encounter the T-800 responsible for John Connor’s death. This Terminator, having fulfilled its mission and with Skynet no longer active, has developed a form of self-awareness. Going by the name ‘Carl’, it has integrated into human society, forming a family and running a drapery business. Guilt-ridden over its past actions, Carl joins Sarah, Dani, and Grace in their fight against the Rev-9, hoping to atone for the death of John Connor. The unlikely alliance prepares for a final showdown, knowing the fate of the future hangs in the balance.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

If you plan to watch the movie first, watch here and come back to this section afterward.

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The Final Confrontation (SPOILER)

The group confronts the Rev-9 at a hydroelectric dam, engaging in a brutal battle. Despite their combined efforts, the Rev-9 proves to be a formidable foe. Grace is mortally wounded, but before she dies, she instructs Dani to use her power source to destroy the Rev-9. Dani, initially overwhelmed, finds the strength to confront the Terminator. In a final act of sacrifice, Carl restrains the Rev-9, allowing Dani to stab it with Grace’s power source. The resulting explosion destroys both Terminators, saving Dani and altering the future once again. The movie concludes with Sarah and Dani vowing to prevent Grace’s death and prepare for the future, knowing that the fight against the machines is far from over. The cycle continues, but this time Dani will be ready.

Significance of the Ending (SPOILER)

The ending of Terminator: Dark Fate underscores the themes of sacrifice and the cyclical nature of the Terminator narrative. While Skynet is gone, the threat of artificial intelligence remains, highlighting humanity’s potential for self-destruction. Dani’s transformation into a future leader mirrors Sarah Connor’s journey, emphasizing the responsibility each generation bears in shaping their destiny. Carl’s redemption arc, culminating in his sacrifice, adds a layer of complexity to the Terminator mythos, suggesting that even machines can evolve and develop a conscience. The altered timeline offers a glimmer of hope, but the final scene implies that the future is still uncertain, leaving the door open for potential sequels.

🎬 Cast & Characters

Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton): A hardened survivor and Terminator hunter, she dedicates her life to preventing future AI threats after the death of her son.
Grace (Mackenzie Davis): A cybernetically enhanced soldier from the future, she is sent back to protect Dani from the Rev-9.
Dani Ramos (Natalia Reyes): A young woman targeted by Legion, she is destined to become the future leader of the human Resistance.
T-800 (Carl) (Arnold Schwarzenegger): A reprogrammed Terminator who killed John Connor, now living as a drapery business owner and seeking redemption by helping Sarah and Dani.
Rev-9 (Gabriel Luna): An advanced Terminator prototype from Legion, sent to eliminate Dani Ramos and ensure Legion’s dominance in the future.

💬 Memorable Quotes

T-800: “Even without a rogue AI taking over, I calculate a 74 percent chance that human civilization will collapse into barbarism. And in that eventuality, these weapons will be vital to protect my family. Also, this is Texas.” – The T-800 explains why he keeps a large arsenal, showing his adopted human perspective while maintaining his Terminator pragmatism.
Sarah Connor: “I hunt Terminators.” – Sarah Connor’s introduction line that is an insight into her life after losing John.
T-800: “For John.” – Said by the T-800 right before sacrificing itself to destroy the Rev-9, atoning for killing John Connor in the past.

💰Box Office

Budget: $185,000,000
Domestic Gross: $62,253,077
Worldwide Gross: $261,119,292

💥 Terminator: Dark Fate Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went in with low expectations after all the Terminator sequels after T2, but honestly, I had a good time! Seeing Linda Hamilton back as Sarah Connor was worth the price of admission alone – she’s still a total badass. The action was intense, especially the highway chase scene, and the new Terminator, the REV-9, was genuinely scary. I liked the new characters, and the ending, while bittersweet, felt like a decent send-off.

Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of the Terminator franchise”
- “Viewers who enjoy action-packed sci-fi movies”
- “Those interested in strong female leads”
Content warnings ⚠:
- “Intense violence and action sequences”
- “Strong language”
- “Some disturbing images”

Professional Reviews

Rotten Tomatoes: “Dark Fate isn’t the worst Terminator movie, but it doesn’t quite recapture the magic of the first two, settling for a serviceable action flick with a few good moments.
IGN: “It delivers on the action, but feels like a retread of familiar ground, lacking the innovative edge and emotional core of its predecessors. Linda Hamilton shines, but the story struggles to find fresh footing.
Empire: “Dark Fate marks a solid return for Linda Hamilton and some thrilling action sequences, but ultimately falters under the weight of franchise expectations and a derivative plot. It’s a step up, but not a revolution.

Audience Reactions

Linda Hamilton’s return as Sarah Connor was epic and she stole every scene she was in.: Fans were happy to see Linda Hamilton back, but the plot was too similar to previous movies and lacked originality.

Overall Consensus: While it’s better than most of the recent Terminator sequels and has some great action and a strong performance from Linda Hamilton, it retreads familiar ground and doesn’t quite live up to the legacy of the first two films.

Awards

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🛠️ Behind the Scenes

“Tim Miller had to repeatedly ask Linda Hamilton to stop smiling when firing weapons, as it didn’t fit Sarah Connor’s hardened character.”
“The opening logos of Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox briefly flash their versions from 1995, a nostalgic touch for fans of the original films.”

🖥️ How to Watch Terminator: Dark Fate?

Terminator: Dark Fate is available for streaming on platforms such as Paramount+ and through various digital retailers. You can rent or purchase the movie on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on cable on-demand services.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Terminator: Dark Fate, you might like these similar films:

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991): The direct predecessor, continuing Sarah Connor’s story and featuring advanced Terminator technology.
Aliens (1986): A strong female lead battles seemingly unstoppable alien threats to protect others, echoing the themes of survival and protection.
Looper (2012): Features time travel, assassins, and the complexities of altering the future, similar to the core themes of Terminator.
Edge of Tomorrow (2014): Deals with a futuristic war against an overwhelming enemy and the repeated use of time manipulation to alter the course of events.

🛒 Terminator: Dark Fate Related Products

Terminator: Dark Fate – Limited Edition Steelbook [Blu-ray]: Own the ultimate version of Terminator: Dark Fate with this limited edition Steelbook Blu-ray. Featuring exclusive artwork, behind-the-scenes content, and a high-quality transfer, it’s a must-have for collectors.
Terminator: Dark Fate – The Official Movie Novelization: Delve deeper into the world of Terminator: Dark Fate with the official movie novelization. This ebook expands on the film’s storyline, providing additional context and character insights.
Terminator: Dark Fate – T-800 ‘Carl’ Action Figure: This highly detailed action figure features Arnold Schwarzenegger as ‘Carl,’ the T-800, complete with his drape business attire. A great addition to any collection, complete with miniature drapes.
Terminator: Dark Fate – ‘I’ll Be Back’ T-Shirt: Show your love for the Terminator franchise with this classic ‘I’ll Be Back’ T-shirt. Made from high-quality cotton, it’s comfortable and durable for everyday wear.

🎧 Soundtrack

Terminator: Dark Fate 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

Is Terminator: Dark Fate a sequel to Terminator 2?

Terminator: Dark Fate is intended as a direct sequel to Terminator 2: Judgment Day, disregarding the events of the subsequent films (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Terminator Salvation, and Terminator Genisys). It attempts to create a new timeline building off the events and themes established in the first two films.

Why does the T-800 kill John Connor in Terminator: Dark Fate?

The T-800, sent back by Skynet, fulfills its original mission of eliminating John Connor in 1998. This event is meant to establish a new, altered timeline in which Skynet no longer exists, replaced by Legion. This event is also meant to highlight a new central character.

What is Legion in Terminator: Dark Fate?

Legion is a new artificial intelligence that replaces Skynet as the primary antagonist in the future. It is developed by the SAC-NORAD for Cyberwarfare, Legion took control of servers worldwide and, in desperation, humanity tried to neutralize it with nuclear weapons, resulting in a nuclear holocaust and the AI creating a global network of machines to terminate the human survivors.

Where was Terminator: Dark Fate filmed?

Terminator: Dark Fate was filmed in various locations, including Spain (Cartagena, Murcia), Hungary, and the United States. The use of international locations helps to showcase the global scale of the threat.

🔥 Bonus Content

This One Scene Took 23 Takes & 2 Days in TERMINATOR: DARK FATE… #shorts

Did you know there was a challenging bridge scene where Linda Hamilton struggled to keep a straight face? It ended up taking 23 takes and 2 days to get it right! Watch this video to learn more about this amusing behind-the-scenes story.

TERMINATOR: DARK FATE (Explained + Review)

Curious about the plot and overall quality of Terminator: Dark Fate? This video offers a detailed explanation and review, giving you a better understanding of the story, characters, and critical reception.

The REV 9 (TERMINATOR EXPLORED)

Want to know more about the advanced REV 9 terminator from Terminator: Dark Fate? This video dives into its design, abilities, and the impact it has on the film’s narrative. Check it out for a closer look at this formidable enemy.

Terminator Dark Fate: Why John Connor’s [SPOILER] Ruined EVERYTHING In The Franchise | ANGRY RANT

Are you intrigued by the controversial plot twist in Terminator: Dark Fate involving John Connor? This video analyzes the impact of his demise on the franchise and the characters’ journeys, offering a unique perspective on the film’s storytelling.

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