Summary

Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon – Part 2: The Scargiver took Netflix by storm, despite critic backlash.
Shocking twist involving Gunnar’s death defied expectations in the popular action-adventure.
Snyder defends storytelling choices, setting the stage for potential third movie with Issa.

Upon blasting its way to Netflix on April 19, 2024, Zack Snyder’s lofty sci-fi epic Rebel Moon – Part 2: The Scargiver instantly shot atop the most viewed movie charts. Although the film did not fare well among critics (16% on Rotten Tomatoes), the popular action-adventure continued the story of Kora (Sofia Boutella) and her dogged quest to protect her home planet of Veldt from the invading forces of the Realm.

Those who gave The Scargiver a chance know there is a shocking third-act twist that forces viewers to rethink the events before and afterward. The stunning twist involves the sudden death of Gunnar (Michael Huisman), Kora’s lover and trusted ally who sacrificed his life to ensure her survival. One of the fastest ways to alienate a fanbase is to kill off a beloved character. Yet, speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Snyder has defended his decision to execute Gunnar and explained why another twist involving Princess Issa’s mysterious fate bears dramatic significance.

Read our review

What Is Rebel Moon – Part 2: The Scargiver About?
Netflix

Picking up where Part 1 left off, Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon – Part 2: The Scargiver finds Kora and her forces returning to the planet Veldt to prepare for an impending attack by the Realm. Kora is a former Imperium warrior who now leads the resistance against the empire known as The Motherworld. Upon their return, Kora learns that her main adversary, Admiral Atticus Noble (Ed Skrein), has been resurrected. Kora previously believed she killed Noble in a hand-to-hand fight and now must deal with his vengeful return, bolstered by the Realm and its deadly forces.

Along with former Imperial General Titus (Djimon Hounsou), Kora fights alongside Gunnar, a farmer from Veldt. As Kora and Gunnar grow close and become lovers, the two vow to fight together and protect Veldt from Noble’s attack on the planet. After the two consummate their romance in the Zack Snyder film, Kora confesses that she was coerced and framed by Belisarius (Fra Fee) to assassinate the Motherworld’s royal family, including child Princess Issa (Stella Grace Fitzgerald). As Kora and Gunnar train the villagers for combat in anticipation of The Realm’s attack, the story veers toward the notorious third-act twist that Snyder continues to defend.

Who Are Gunnar & Issa in The Scargiver?
Netflix

While briefly described as characters, the shocking twists in The Scargiver revolve around Kora’s relationship with Gunnar and Issa. The first twist comes when Admirable Noble invades Veldt and launches an attack alongside the Dreadnought. Just as Kora prepares to surrender to Noble in exchange for allowing the villagers to survive, Gunnar courageously (and somewhat foolishly) orders the ambush of Noble and his forces anyway. The result of the ambush leads to the tragic death of Nemesis (Bae Doona) and sets up a stunning emotional twist.

After launching the ambush, Gunnar manages to kill Noble in battle but later dies from the gunshot wounds he sustained in the skirmish. The shocking death leaves Kora in emotional ruins and with few allies to rely on. The twist also delivered viewers a breathtaking gut punch, although Snyder remains adamant about his storytelling decision.

There’s a secondary twist in the movie involving Princess Issa that, while perhaps not as emotionally devastating, potentially sets up the story for a third Rebel Moon movie. Kora learns that Issa did not fatally shoot Issa as she believed. Instead, Issa is revealed to be alive and well and safely hiding somewhere unknown.

Related Rebel Moon: Part One Cast & Character Guide Here is the stellar cast of Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon – Part 1: Child of Fire and the characters they play.

Zack Snyder Explains The Scargiver’s Shocking Twists
Netflix

Despite alienating some fans by killing off the beloved Gunnar and reviving the long-forgotten Issa, Snyder has defended the shocking Scargiver twists and turns. Discussing the polarizing Gunnar controversy with THR, Snyder stated:

“As far as love goes and loving and the why of loving, Gunnar is probably the first lover she’d had that was transcendent of war. This lover was outside of the conflict, and he was just a guy, really. Gunnar is a good guy, but he’s just a guy. He’s not necessarily a soldier or a leader, and it’s a stepping stone for her. She’s on this journey of catharsis as well, obviously, and Gunnar’s sacrifice is part of that journey.”

Following Gunnar’s heroic sacrifice in the Netflix sci-fi Original Movie, Darrian Bloodaxe (Ray Fisher) arrives with reinforcements and wipes out Noble’s remaining forces. After declaring victory, the villagers mourn the dead, allowing Kora to finally admit her past and express her feelings for her lost lover. While Snyder labels this catharsis, Kora’s emotional rollercoaster doesn’t stop there. Titus informs Kora that Princess Issa is not dead as she previously believed.

Netflix

The twist revelation absolves Kora of guilt, knowing that she did not assassinate Issa as she was forced to and framed for. Yet, with a decrease in remorse comes a massive increase in vengeful ire as Kora sets her sights on finding Issa and getting back at Balisarius. For Snyder, the twist involving Issa is more substantial than Gunnar’s stunning death, adding:

“Balisarius is back on the Motherworld, and Issa is somewhere else in hiding. They have this thing called the Order of 12, which are the 12 original Jimmies that protected the royal family, and they were all destroyed, except for one called Bartholomew. So [Issa and Bartholomew] are probably hiding somewhere in the universe.”

Related Was the Snyder Cut of Rebel Moon Really Necessary? Zack Snyder seems to believe that audiences can’t get enough of his genius. Is Rebel Moon the project that proves his point?

According to Snyder, Issa’s mysterious fate sets up the story for a potential third Rebel Moon movie, adding:

“The story of movie three would be tracking her down and finding out how they can use the victory at Veldt to create a coalition of planets that were on the edge of rebellion, but have now seen the example of downing a dreadnought. Maybe now there’s an opportunity. It’s a chink in the armor”

Although Snyder has confirmed working on a screenplay for Rebel Moon 3, no official production announcement has been made. As Netflix or another company weighs the balance of producing a surefire popular yet critically shaky movie, it’ll be interesting to see how the plot twists disliked by fans in Rebel Moon materialize in future installments. It will also be fascinating to see what kind of new plot twists Snyder has in store for Rebel Moon 3 if it gets produced.