Gods of Egypt 2016

In a reimagined version of ancient Egypt, where the world is portrayed as flat and gods coexist with humankind, the Egyptian deities are characterized by their towering stature, golden blood, and the unique ability to morph into animal-headed forms. The story follows Bek (Brenton Thwaites), a mortal thief who harbors little faith in the gods and their intentions toward humanity. Accompanied by his beloved Zaya (Courtney Eaton), he attends the coronation of Horus (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), the lord of the air, who is being honored by his father, the retiring King Osiris (Bryan Brown).

As the coronation festivities unfold, Horus shares a tender moment with his beloved Hathor (Élodie Yung), hinting at marriage while discussing a protective bracelet made from the stars that he had given her during her time as a guide for souls in the underworld. The joyous ceremony quickly takes a dark turn when Osiris is brutally slain by his envious brother Set (Gerard Butler), the God of the desert. With this heinous act, Set seizes the throne, implementing a tyrannical decree that demands riches from the dead to gain passage into the afterlife, a stark contrast to Osiris’s equitable judgment based on one’s deeds.

Stripped of his eyes that bestow him with power and nearly killed, Horus is exiled upon Hathor’s emotional pleas to Set. Meanwhile, a year passes, and Bek, now slaves under Urshu (Rufus Sewell), learns of the devastating fate Be of Zaya. Believing that Horus is their only hope against Set, she provides Bek with blueprints of Set’s treasure vault. Despite adversities, Bek manages to retrieve one of Horus’s eyes. Tragically, their escape attempt results in Zaya’s death at the hands of Urshu. In his despair, Bek approaches the blind Horus, striking a desperate deal for Zaya’s resurrection in exchange for the eye and knowledge about Set’s pyramid.

As they journey to the divine vessel of Ra (Geoffrey Rush), Horus seeks to regain his strength. However, Ra reveals his apathetic stance toward their conflict and informs them of his ongoing battle against Apophis, a monstrous shadow creature that poses a threat to the universe. Nonetheless, Horus manages to acquire divine waters from Ra that could weaken Set. Achieving his newfound purpose, Horus confronts the truth that his destiny intertwines with avenging his parents’ deaths.

In the wake of Set attacking the remaining gods, he seeks to amass their powers in hopes of defeating Ra. Hathor eventually finds her way to Bek and Horus, warning them of the treacherous guardian sphinx who guards Set’s power. They enlist the wisdom of Thoth (Chadwick Boseman), the god of knowledge, as they venture toward Set’s lair.

Navigating through dangerous traps, including the clever sphinx, they approach Set’s stronghold, but find themselves ensnared by his cunning. Claims of Horus’s intent to resurrect Zaya are thrown into disarray as Set destroys their flask of divine water and brutally kills Thoth. With tension escalating, Horus acknowledges his prior detachment from mortal concerns, leading to a shift in his motivations. Hathor, filled with remorse for not revealing the truth, bravely assists Bek by sacrificing her own safety to help escort Zaya’s soul to the afterlife.

Arming himself with pieces of divine power he acquires, Set navigates his own internal struggle with destiny, ultimately rejecting the role imposed upon him. Following a fierce battle, Horus recognizes the true nature of his own powers—discovering that his purpose lies in safeguarding his people above all.

Just as equilibrium seems feasible, Bek tragically faces mortality but brings forth Horus’s awakening to his true calling. With newfound strength, Horus engages in a climactic showdown against Set, ultimately leading to the latter’s demise. In the aftermath, Horus seeks to restore balance, reviving both Bek and Zaya and bringing forth a new era in the afterlife—a realm that rewards virtue.

As the tale concludes, the resurrection of the other gods follows, and Horus emerges as the crowned king under the wisdom of Thoth, ensuring that only those with good intentions find solace in the afterlife, while he readies himself to rescue Hathor from the depths below.