Jurassic World Rebirth (2025) Movie Review

A Return to Form for the Prehistoric Franchise

After the divisive reception of Jurassic World Dominion (2022), the seventh installment in the beloved dinosaur franchise has arrived with Jurassic World Rebirth, a standalone sequel that promises to recapture the magic of Steven Spielberg’s original 1993 masterpiece. Directed by Gareth Edwards and starring Scarlett Johansson, this latest entry represents both a creative rebirth and a strategic pivot for Universal Pictures’ most enduring prehistoric property.

Jurassic World Rebirth doesn’t merely rehash familiar territory—it boldly ventures into uncharted waters while honoring the franchise’s DNA. Set five years after the events of Dominion, this action-packed thriller introduces an entirely new cast while maintaining the core elements that made audiences fall in love with the series over three decades ago.

Plot: A Mission Into the Heart of Darkness

The film’s premise cleverly sidesteps the convoluted mythology of recent entries by establishing a refreshingly simple setup. Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the planet’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived.

The story centers on skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson), who is contracted to lead a skilled team on a top-secret mission to secure genetic material from the world’s three most massive dinosaurs. This mission takes them to a forbidden island that once housed an undisclosed research facility for the original Jurassic Park.

Key Plot Elements: • DNA extraction mission from three colossal prehistoric creatures • Pharmaceutical company seeking life-saving medical breakthroughs • Stranded civilian family complicating the operation • Hidden secrets from decades of genetic experimentation • Mutant and genetically modified dinosaur encounters

The narrative structure follows a classic adventure formula, reminiscent of films like King Kong: Skull Island and Aliens. The team’s scientific mission quickly transforms into a survival horror scenario when they encounter not just ordinary dinosaurs, but mutant, genetically modified, and cross-bred dinosaurs left behind from failed experiments.

Cast and Characters: New Blood in Ancient Territory

Scarlett Johansson as Zora Bennett

Scarlett Johansson delivers a commanding performance as Zora Bennett, the film’s central protagonist. Johansson plays Zora Bennett, a skilled mercenary leading an island mission to extract DNA from dinosaurs for medical advancement. Her character represents a significant departure from previous franchise leads, bringing military precision and tactical expertise to a world where survival often depends on quick thinking and adaptability.

Johansson’s Zora is the Brody (Roy Scheider’s character), hunting for a prehistoric creature with Henry as the Hooper figure and Duncan filling the Quint void, drawing deliberate parallels to Spielberg’s Jaws. The actress, who had been pursuing a role in the franchise for over a decade, brings both physicality and emotional depth to the character.

Johansson’s portrayal addresses previous criticisms of female characters in the franchise. Unlike the impractical wardrobe choices of earlier films, Zora Bennett is properly equipped for her mission, wearing tactical gear suited for jungle warfare and dinosaur encounters.

Jonathan Bailey as Dr. Henry Loomis

Jonathan Bailey, fresh from his acclaimed performances in Bridgerton and Wicked, brings intellectual curiosity and scientific wonder to the role of paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis. Dr. Loomis joins the expedition hoping to reap the genetic rewards of InGen’s mistakes. He’s also a student of Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) who spends his days studying the bones of long-dead creatures in a museum.

Bailey’s character serves as the audience’s surrogate, representing the sense of awe and scientific fascination that made the original Jurassic Park so compelling. The character, per director Gareth Edwards, is “very comfortable on digs and expeditions but not the life-and-death risks” and is “out of his depth in terms of the military element of the mission”.

Interestingly, Bailey’s involvement extends beyond acting—he was also a part of the orchestra for Alexandre Desplat’s score of the film, performing a clarinet solo for his character’s theme.

Supporting Cast Excellence

The ensemble cast delivers strong supporting performances:

• Mahershala Ali as Duncan Kincaid provides gravitas as Zora’s trusted partner and team leader • Rupert Friend portrays pharmaceutical representative Martin Krebs with calculated menace • Manuel Garcia-Rulfo brings emotional weight as Reuben Delgado, a father protecting his family • Luna Blaise and David Iacono effectively portray the stranded civilian family members

Direction and Visual Spectacle

Gareth Edwards’ Vision

Gareth Edwards, the director behind Rogue One and Godzilla 2014, brings his signature approach to scale and spectacle to Jurassic World Rebirth. Edwards’ experience with monster movies and large-scale action sequences proves invaluable in creating memorable dinosaur encounters that feel both thrilling and grounded.

The director’s approach emphasizes practical locations and authentic environments. Filming “Jurassic World Rebirth” required the cast to work in Thailand rainforests, adding genuine atmosphere to the jungle sequences.

Edwards’ Directorial Strengths: • Masterful handling of scale and creature design • Emphasis on practical locations over digital environments • Building tension through environmental storytelling • Balancing spectacle with character development

Visual Effects and Cinematography

The film’s visual effects represent a significant step forward for the franchise. The dinosaurs feel more tactile and integrated into their environments, with improved animation and lighting that makes the creatures feel genuinely present in each scene.

The cinematography captures both the beauty and danger of the tropical biosphere, using natural lighting and authentic jungle locations to create an immersive experience. The film’s color palette emphasizes earth tones and natural greens, contrasting sharply with the high-tech equipment carried by the expedition team.

Themes and Social Commentary

Scientific Ethics and Corporate Greed

Jurassic World Rebirth continues the franchise’s tradition of exploring the ethical implications of genetic manipulation and corporate irresponsibility. The pharmaceutical company’s mission to extract dinosaur DNA for medical purposes raises questions about exploitation versus advancement.

The film examines themes of: • Environmental responsibility and conservation • Corporate manipulation of scientific research • The cost of technological advancement on natural ecosystems • Humanity’s relationship with nature and extinction

Wonder vs. Terror

Like the best entries in the franchise, Jurassic World Rebirth balances moments of genuine awe with visceral terror. The film thankfully skirts the edge of any dismaying tropes and instead pays off various noble feints, maintaining hope even in the darkest moments.

The film succeeds in recapturing the original’s sense of wonder while acknowledging the inherent dangers of playing with forces beyond human control.

Action Sequences and Set Pieces

Standout Action Moments

The film delivers several memorable action sequences that rank among the franchise’s best:

1. The River Chase: A breathtaking aquatic pursuit featuring marine dinosaurs
2. Cliff Escape Sequence: Vertical action reminiscent of classic adventure films
3. Laboratory Discovery: Horror-influenced exploration of abandoned research facilities
4. T-Rex Raft Scene: Rebirth includes a sequence from the first novel that was cut from its film adaptation, in which characters in a raft must escape from a Tyrannosaurus rex

These sequences demonstrate Edwards’ ability to stage practical action while maintaining emotional stakes for the characters.

Dinosaur Encounters

The dinosaur encounters feel both familiar and fresh, featuring both classic species and new genetically modified variants. The film introduces several new creatures, including the intimidating “Distortus rex”—a deformed six-limbed tyrannosaur that serves as one of the film’s primary antagonists.

Technical Excellence

Musical Score

Alexandre Desplat was confirmed to score music for Jurassic World Rebirth, reuniting with Edwards after Godzilla. The composer successfully balances original themes with John Williams’ iconic musical motifs, creating a score that feels both nostalgic and contemporary.

It also is comforting to see Alexander Desplat niftily merge his stirring score with just the right amount of John Williams’ original theme, one of the great themes in movies ever.

For those interested in exploring more about film music and its impact on cinema, understanding the economics behind major film productions can provide valuable insight into how budgets influence creative decisions.

Production Design

The production design successfully creates distinct environments that feel both exotic and dangerous. The abandoned research facilities provide excellent opportunities for horror-influenced sequences, while the jungle environments showcase the natural beauty that makes these locations worth protecting.

Strengths and Weaknesses

What Works Well

Strengths of Jurassic World Rebirth: • Strong lead performance from Scarlett Johansson • Return to practical locations and authentic environments • Effective balance of action, horror, and wonder • Respect for franchise mythology without being beholden to it • Improved visual effects and creature design

Areas for Improvement

Potential Weaknesses: • Familiar plot structure may feel predictable to franchise veterans • Supporting characters could use more development • Some action sequences rely heavily on digital effects • Pacing occasionally slows during exposition-heavy moments

Critical Reception and Box Office Performance (Jurassic World Rebirth)

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 53% of 191 critics’ reviews are positive. The website’s consensus reads: “Going back to basics with rip-roaring set pieces and fossilized clichés, Jurassic World Rebirth doesn’t evolve this prehistoric franchise but does restore some of its most reliable DNA.”

The film’s reception has been notably more positive than its immediate predecessor, with critics praising the return to practical filmmaking and the strong lead performances. On June 12, 2025, Deadline projected the film to have a domestic 5-day opening weekend ranging from $115–135 million.

Critical Consensus: • Improved over Jurassic World Dominion • Strong visual effects and practical elements • Effective action sequences and creature encounters • Successful return to franchise fundamentals

Franchise Future and Legacy (Jurassic World Rebirth)

Setting Up New Possibilities

Jurassic World Rebirth is the first film in the series to not include any returning actors from previous installments, effectively serving as a soft reboot that opens new storytelling possibilities. The film’s conclusion leaves room for future installments while providing a satisfying standalone experience.

The success of Jurassic World Rebirth could determine the future direction of the franchise, potentially leading to a new trilogy focused on Johansson’s character and her team.

Cultural Impact

The film’s emphasis on environmental themes and scientific responsibility feels particularly relevant in today’s climate-conscious culture. By focusing on conservation and the ethical use of genetic technology, Jurassic World Rebirth positions itself as more than just summer entertainment.

Final Verdict (Jurassic World Rebirth)

Jurassic World Rebirth succeeds as both a thrilling summer blockbuster and a worthy addition to the beloved franchise. While it doesn’t revolutionize the formula, it executes familiar elements with skill and passion that has been missing from recent entries.

Gareth Edwards has crafted a film that respects the franchise’s legacy while charting a new course for future installments. Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey deliver committed performances that ground the spectacular action in genuine human emotion and scientific wonder.

For longtime fans of the franchise, Jurassic World Rebirth offers a return to the elements that made the original Jurassic Park a masterpiece: practical filmmaking, memorable characters, and the perfect balance of wonder and terror that comes from encountering creatures that time forgot.

Rating: B+

Jurassic World Rebirth proves that there’s still life in this prehistoric franchise. With strong performances, impressive visual effects, and a return to practical filmmaking values, this entry successfully bridges the gap between nostalgic reverence and contemporary blockbuster entertainment. While it may not reach the heights of Spielberg’s original, it stands as one of the strongest entries in the series and a promising foundation for future adventures.

Jurassic World Rebirth is now playing in theaters nationwide. The film runs approximately 147 minutes and is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of science fiction violence and action, and some language.