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Action thriller

Mortal Engines (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Mortal Engines (2018) movie poster

Mortal Engines is a 2018 action thriller directed by Christian Rivers, starring Hera Hilmar as Hester Shaw, Patrick Malahide and Hugo Weaving. It is based on Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve. It runs 2 hours 8 minutes and earned $83.9 million worldwide on a $100 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Legion M Breakout Director at the Saturn Awards 2019. Critics gave it 25% on Rotten Tomatoes and 44 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.

IMDb rating
6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
25%
worldwide gross
$83.9M
award nomination
1
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Mortal Engines (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 8m (128 min)
Director
Christian Rivers
Original language
English
Budget
$100M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Mortal Engines About?

The premise of Mortal Engines without spoilers, adapted from Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In a post-apocalyptic future where cities roam the land and consume others for resources, London is the most powerful of these mobile behemoths. A young woman named Hester Shaw, scarred and seeking revenge, finds herself targeted by the city’s ruthless ruler. She unexpectedly joins forces with a quick-witted outcast who questions London's dominion. Together, they must confront Hester’s mysterious past and fight to prevent the city's devastating plans and determine the world’s fate.

Mortal Engines Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • post apocalypse
  • steampunk
  • dystopia
  • capitalism
  • social commentary
  • machine
  • floating city
  • one against many
  • megalomaniac
  • world domination
  • colonialism
  • consumerism
+38 more
  • flying city
  • museum
  • pilot
  • slave auction
  • future
  • rebellion
  • strong female lead
  • altered version of studio logo
  • opening action scene
  • battle
  • combat
  • aerial combat
  • exploding airplane
  • violence
  • evil man
  • municipal darwinism
  • orphan
  • archaeologist
  • based on young adult novel
  • epic
  • based on novel
  • f rated
  • outlaw
  • teenager
  • directorial debut
  • no opening credits
  • prologue
  • gunfight
  • shootout
  • battlefield
  • chase
  • foot chase
  • explosion
  • fistfight
  • fight
  • brawl
  • martial arts
  • mixed martial arts
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Cast & crew

Mortal Engines Cast & Characters

Hera Hilmar leads the cast as Hester Shaw, with Patrick Malahide as Magnus Crome and Hugo Weaving as Thaddeus Valentine. Directed by Christian Rivers; 17 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Mortal Engines

· 13 more
From the director

More from Christian Rivers

One more film directed by Christian Rivers: Feeder.

Full filmography
Ratings

Mortal Engines Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Mortal Engines 25% on Rotten Tomatoes and 44 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 51/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in character & emotion (35).

51 /100

Mortal Engines Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Mortal Engines demonstrates striking world-building but struggles with narrative and emotional depth. While critics and viewers acknowledge the immersive cityscapes and high-caliber visual effects, many note that the story's familiar tropes and uneven pacing undermine engagement. Character development is perceived as superficial, limiting the film's emotional resonance despite occasional exciting action sequences. Although the blend of steampunk aesthetics and action yields momentary enjoyment, the uneven plot and thin characterization prevent the movie from sustaining lasting appeal.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, Mortal Engines excels in its ambitious production design and detailed set pieces. Observers highlight the intricate construction of the mobile cities and top-tier visual effects, creating a richly textured world. Some critics find the steampunk styling derivative, but most agree that the cinematography and editing maintain a dynamic visual energy overall.

  • Character & Emotion 35

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film offers limited depth and inconsistent performances. The protagonists remain underdeveloped, and their interactions lack convincing chemistry. While a few viewers appreciate the lead’s earnest portrayal, most feedback points to unmemorable supporting roles and shallow emotional stakes. Overall, the characters fail to generate sustained empathy.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Regarding story and flow, Mortal Engines delivers an uneven narrative with sporadic pacing and familiar plot beats. Some reviewers find the world-building intriguing, but many criticize the script’s reliance on standard tropes and a lack of coherent suspense. Although several sequences provide thrilling action, the overall progression feels bloated and fails to maintain consistent engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    When considering sensory experience, the film presents spectacular visual effects and detailed sound design, but the soundtrack draws criticism for echoing previous action scores. Audiences praise the immersive soundscapes during battle scenes, yet some note a lack of distinctive auditory identity. Ultimately, the audio-visual cohesion enhances moment-to-moment impact despite occasional stylistic repetition.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    In terms of rewatch factor, Mortal Engines offers limited lasting appeal beyond its initial spectacle. The film’s visual grandeur and action sequences may prompt a return for enthusiasts, but the shallow character arcs and predictable storyline reduce incentive for multiple viewings. Overall, the movie provides an engaging first experience but lacks depth to sustain repeat interest.

Plot

Mortal Engines Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Mortal Engines from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Following the catastrophic event known as the Sixty Minute War, humanity’s remnants have come together to create mobile “predator” cities that ruthlessly hunt and absorb their smaller counterparts in a brutal survival practice referred to as “Municipal Darwinism.” This intense struggle for existence unfolds across the Great Hunting Ground, which encompasses both Great Britain and Continental Europe. In stark contrast, the Anti-Traction League has emerged, championing a way of life built upon static settlements in Asia, protected by the formidable Shield Wall. Meanwhile, treasures of the lost technology era, such as toasters and smartphones, are regarded as “Old-Tech.”

Full summary

The whole story of Mortal Engines, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Mortal Engines Box Office & Budget

Mortal Engines grossed $83.9 million worldwide on a $100 million budget, 84% of what it cost. $16 million came from the US and Canada and $67.9 million (81%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$83.9M

84% of its budget back

US & Canada
$16M
International
$67.9M
Budget
$100M
US & Canada 19% Rest of the world 81%
Awards

Mortal Engines Awards & Nominations

Mortal Engines earned 1 award nomination, including Legion M Breakout Director at the Saturn Awards 2019.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Mortal Engines Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 2 trailers and 3 clips.

Mortal Engines Official Trailer [HD]
  • Trailer MORTAL ENGINES – Official Trailer (Universal Pictures) HD
  • Clip Mortal Engines | London Under Fire in 4K HDR
  • Clip Mortal Engines | Shrike Brings Down Airhaven in His Pursuit of Hester in 4K HDR
  • Clip London is Attacking - Extended Preview
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Mortal Engines?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What event drastically transformed civilization in Mortal Engines?

Details

Mortal Engines Also Known As

33 alternative titles, including “Mortal Engines: Krieg der Städte” and “Máquinas Mortais”.

Also known as
  • Mortal Engines: Krieg der Städte
  • Máquinas Mortais
  • Mécanique fatale
  • 移动城市:致命引擎
  • Смертні машини
  • Mortal Engines - Krieg der Städte
  • Смъртоносни машини
  • Хроники хищных городов
  • Ragadozó városok
  • Φονικές Μηχανές
  • Macchine mortali
  • Zabójcze maszyny
+21 more
  • 移動城市:致命引擎
  • 모털 엔진
  • Engenhos Mortíferos
  • Mirtingos mašinos
  • 掠食城市
  • Ölümcül Makineler
  • ערי טרף
  • Smrtelné stroje
  • Смртоносне машине
  • Smrteľné stroje
  • Mașinării infernale
  • Máquinas mortales
  • المحرّكات القاتلة
  • Izsalkusī pilsēta, მტაცებელი ქალაქები
  • Mécaniques fatales
  • Cỗ Máy Tử Thần
  • สมรภูมิล่าเมือง จักรกลมรณะ
  • 移動都市/モータル・エンジン
  • Smrtonosni strojevi
  • Smrtonosni stroji
  • موتورهای فانی

Seen Mortal Engines?

FAQ

Mortal Engines FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of Mortal Engines, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Mortal Engines?

Mortal Engines runs 2 hours 8 minutes (128 minutes).

When was Mortal Engines released?

Mortal Engines was released on December 14, 2018.

Who directed Mortal Engines?

Mortal Engines was directed by Christian Rivers.

More films by Christian Rivers

Who is in the cast of Mortal Engines?

Mortal Engines stars Hera Hilmar as Hester Shaw, Patrick Malahide as Magnus Crome and Hugo Weaving as Thaddeus Valentine, among 17 credited actors.

How much did Mortal Engines make at the box office?

Mortal Engines grossed $83.9 million worldwide ($16 million domestic, $67.9 million international) on a budget of $100 million.

How is Mortal Engines rated?

Mortal Engines has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 25% on Rotten Tomatoes, 44 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

Is Mortal Engines based on a book?

Yes. Mortal Engines is adapted from Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve.

Was Mortal Engines nominated for any awards?

Mortal Engines received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

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