What Is Conan the Barbarian About?
The premise of Conan the Barbarian in 309 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a bleak epoch known as the Hyborian Age, sprawling kingdoms clash over shattered relics while primitive tribes carve out their own savage destinies. The landscape is a raw tapestry of cracked deserts, mist‑shrouded mountains, and brutal citadels where power is measured in steel and blood. Against this backdrop, honor is a fragile flame that flickers amid endless war, and every horizon holds the promise of either conquest or ruin.
Born amid the roar of battle, Conan is the son of a fierce chieftain, Corin, whose bloodied legacy shapes his very marrow. From his earliest days, the boy learns the language of swords, the rhythm of the hunt, and the unyielding code of a warrior raised on the edge of a blade. His father’s teachings forge a bond that steadies him even as the world around him crumbles, molding a youth who embodies both raw ferocity and a lingering, almost reverent respect for the past.
Driven by a relentless thirst for vengeance, Conan sets his sights on the one figure who shattered his world: the warlord Khalar Singh. The promise of retribution pulses through him like a war‑drum, propelling him across storm‑tossed seas and hostile lands. Yet his quest is not a simple march of rage; it is a dark pilgrimage where every encounter tests his resolve, each clash a meditation on the fine line between savage justice and the loss of self.
As he journeys through treacherous territories, forging uneasy alliances and confronting the grim realities of a world that rewards brutality, Conan remains a solitary force of nature. His path is painted with blood, yet it is also illuminated by a fierce, almost tragic honor that hints at a deeper purpose beyond mere vengeance. The horizon beckons, and the legend of a barbarian who will stop at nothing to settle the score is only beginning to unfold.
What Happens in Conan the Barbarian?
The complete story of Conan the Barbarian, from the first scene to the last, in 724 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 3 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
After the Oceans engulfed Atlantis, humanity entered an era marked by the rise of various kingdoms across the globe. Among these was the sinister empire of Acheron, ruled by ruthless Necromancers who sought the secrets of bringing the dead back to life. They forged a mask from the bones of ancient kings, awakening its terrible power with the pure blood of their daughters. This mask allowed the Acherons to unleash unspeakable evils upon the world, granting them power beyond mortal comprehension.
As a result, they enslaved the civilized nations, leaving only the barbarian tribes to rise against their oppression. Eventually, the mask was shattered, leading to Acheron’s downfall. Each tribe safeguarded a piece of the mask, ensuring that it could never be reassembled. These shards remained hidden throughout time, until the dawn of the Hyborian age—a grim and savage period.
Born amidst the chaos of battle, Conan, portrayed by Jason Momoa, is the son of Corin—a barbarian chieftain played by Ron Perlman—and his wife Fialla. From a young age, Conan demonstrates not only his ferocity in combat but also the skill befitting a warrior. His father, Corin, nurtures Conan’s abilities, creating a powerful bond and even forging a new sword for him.
Tragedy strikes when their village is invaded by Khalar Zym (a menacing warlord played by Stephen Lang), who yearns to reconstruct the Mask of Acheron in order to resurrect his deceased wife, Maliva (Gisella Marengo), who was an evil sorceress seeking dominion over Hyboria. The mask was shattered to prevent such unification, but Zym, with the aid of his daughter Marique (portrayed by Rose McGowan), violently decimates Corin’s village, leaving only young Conan alive.
Years later, now an adult, Conan has become a fierce pirate and is consumed by a thirst for revenge against Zym for the murder of his father. Alongside his companion Artus, Conan embarks on a mission to liberate slaves globally. In the bustling city of Messantia, he crosses paths with Ela-Shan (Said Taghmaoui), a thief on the run from Lucius (Steven O’Donnell), a soldier loyal to Zym whom Conan recognizes from the horrors of his past. Allowing himself to be captured alongside Ela-Shan, he brutally interrogates Lucius, uncovering Zym’s quest for a pure-blooded descendant of the Acheron sorcerers to awaken the mask’s full powers.
Conan successfully liberates Lucius’ enslaved victims, who subsequently eliminate Lucius. Determined, Conan heads to Khor Kalba to face Zym, with Ela-Shan joining him out of gratitude for his earlier heroics. Meanwhile, Zym and Marique assault a sacred monastery in pursuit of the pure-blood descendant. A monk named Fassir (Raad Rawi) urges his student Tamara (Rachel Nichols) to flee, aware that she is Zym’s true target.
In a dramatic rescue, Conan saves Tamara and captures Zym’s henchman, Remo (Milton Welsh). Learning of Tamara’s identity, Conan hurls Remo back into Zym’s lair as a challenge for Zym to confront him at Shaipur Bay Outpost. As Zym reflects on the past, mourning his wife’s demise, Marique reveals her blood ties to Maliva and the potential to unlock the mask’s ominous powers.
Their confrontation sees Zym ultimately recognize Conan as the young boy he spared, igniting a fierce battle. During the clash, Marique uses a poisoned weapon against Conan, requiring Tamara’s aid for his recovery. United again, they escape to Conan’s ship, where they fend off another assault from Zym’s forces.
Determined, Conan prepares to assault Zym’s castle in Khor Kalba, but Tamara is captured during the night. Rallying his allies, Conan breaks into Zym’s domain, learning that Zym intends to use Tamara’s blood to complete the mask and channel Maliva’s soul through her body. After overcoming monstrous guardians in the dungeon, Conan liberates Tamara and engages Zym in a fierce struggle, reclaiming the sword once stolen by Marique.
As they battle, Zym utilizes the mask’s dark magic to summon his wife’s spirit, which threatens to consume Tamara. In a final act of defiance, Conan destroys the bridge they stand upon, sending Zym plummeting into lava below, while preventing Maliva’s spirit from seizing control of Tamara. With the mask’s destruction, Tamara returns to her true self.
Conan, ever the warrior bound by honor, brings Tamara back to her homeland before returning to his own roots. Reflecting on the memories of his father, he finds solace in the honor restored through vengeance and the reclaiming of his father’s legacy.
Conan the Barbarian Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “The Rise of Acheron” to “Return to Roots”. 5 events name a place, across 5 locations.
- 1
The Rise of Acheron
In the wake of the oceans engulfing Atlantis, various kingdoms emerge, including the dark empire of Acheron. Ruled by Necromancers, they obsess over the secrets of resurrection, which fuels their thirst for power.
- 2
Creation of the Mask
The Necromancers forge a powerful mask from the bones of ancient kings, using the blood of their daughters to awaken its unimaginable power. This act sets the stage for their reign of terror across the civilized world.
- 3
Enslaving the Nations
With the power of the mask, the Acherons unleash unspeakable evils, enslaving civilized nations while allowing barbarian tribes to rise in defiance. This oppression marks the beginning of a long-standing struggle for freedom.
- 4
The Shattering of the Mask
The mask is eventually shattered, leading to the downfall of Acheron and its Necromancers. Each barbarian tribe safeguards a piece of the mask, ensuring that it remains forever divided and hidden.
- 5
Birth of Conan
Amid the chaos of the Hyborian age, Conan is born to Corin, a barbarian chieftain, and his wife Fialla. From an early age, Conan displays remarkable ferocity in battle and a warrior's skill, nurtured by his father.
- 6
The Village Invasion
Tragedy strikes when Khalar Zym, a warlord seeking to reconstruct the mask, invades Conan's village. Zym devastates the village, killing Corin and leaving young Conan as the sole survivor of this brutal assault.
Where:Conan's Village
- 7
Conan's Quest for Revenge
Years later, driven by revenge for his father's death, Conan becomes a fierce pirate and embarks on a mission to free enslaved peoples. His journey of vengeance intertwines with his quest for justice against Zym.
- 8
Encounter in Messantia
In the bustling city of Messantia, Conan meets Ela-Shan, a thief evading capture from Zym’s soldier, Lucius. Conan takes a daring risk by allowing himself to be captured to interrogate Lucius about Zym's plans.
Where:Messantia
- 9
Rescue of Tamara
Conan learns of a monk's warning about Zym’s pursuit of Tamara, a pure-blood descendant essential for awakening the mask. He bravely rescues Tamara from Zym's forces, bringing hope and forming an alliance.
Where:Sacred Monastery
- 10
Confrontation at Shaipur Bay Outpost
Conan challenges Zym by hurling his captured henchman Remo back into Zym’s lair, demanding a confrontation. This sets the stage for a clash filled with vengeance and the unearthing of dark past connections.
Where:Shaipur Bay Outpost
Show the other 4 events of Conan the Barbarian Hide the last 4 events
- 11
Battle Against Zym
The confrontation culminates in a fierce battle where Zym recognizes Conan as the boy he spared years ago. This recognition ignites a brutal fight filled with personal vendettas and high stakes.
- 12
Tamara's Blood
As the battle unfolds, Zym reveals his intention to use Tamara's blood to complete the mask and channel the spirit of his deceased wife. The stakes grow higher as Conan races against time to save her from this dark fate.
Where:Zym's Castle
- 13
Destruction of the Mask
In a climactic moment, Conan defeats Zym, causing the mask to be destroyed and preventing Maliva's spirit from consuming Tamara. This act restores normalcy and liberates Tamara from Zym's sinister influence.
- 14
Return to Roots
With the mask destroyed and peace somewhat restored, Conan returns Tamara to her homeland. Reflecting on the legacy of his father, he finds solace in his quest for vengeance and the honor restored through his battles.
Who Are the Main Characters in Conan the Barbarian?
3 characters, among them Conan (Jason Momoa), Corin (Ron Perlman) and Marique (Rose McGowan): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Conan (Jason Momoa)
Played by Jason Momoa
Conan is a fierce warrior forged by tragedy and conflict. Born into a barbarian tribe, he showcases exceptional combat skills and a relentless thirst for vengeance against those who wronged him. Despite his brutal nature, he also displays a strong sense of honor, striving to protect the innocent and uphold his father's legacy.
- 🗡️ Warrior
- 🔥 Vengeful
- ⚔️ Hero
-
Corin (Ron Perlman)
Played by Ron Perlman
Corin is the wise and skilled chieftain of Conan's village, who nurtures his son's abilities in combat and instills in him the virtues of strength and honor. His tragic death catalyzes Conan's journey for revenge, making Corin's legacy one of bravery and mentorship.
- 🎖️ Leader
- 👨👦 Father Figure
- 💔 Tragic
-
Marique (Rose McGowan)
Played by Rose McGowan
Marique is the cunning and malevolent daughter of Khalar Zym, wielding dark magic and ready to do whatever it takes to achieve her father's ambitions. Her manipulative nature and ruthless tactics make her a formidable foe for Conan, embodying the treachery of the Acherons.
- 🕊️ Sorceress
- 💀 Antagonist
- 🪄 Cunning
Where and When Is Conan the Barbarian Set?
Conan the Barbarian is set in Atlantis, Acheron, Hyboria, Messantia, Khor Kalba, Shaipur Bay Outpost (Hyborian age). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Hyborian age
The Hyborian age is characterized by brutality and the struggle for power amid the remnants of ancient civilizations. It follows the decline of Atlantis, paving the way for kingdoms ruled by ruthless despots and warriors. This period sees the rise of barbarian tribes fighting against oppression, reflecting a chaotic and savage world.
Where
Atlantis, Acheron, Hyboria, Messantia, Khor Kalba, Shaipur Bay Outpost
The movie unfolds in a world where Atlantis was engulfed by the oceans, giving rise to various kingdoms, including the sinister empire of Acheron. Messantia serves as a bustling city representing civilization amidst chaos, while Khor Kalba and Shaipur Bay Outpost become pivotal locations for battles and confrontations against evil forces. This landscape is marked by its harsh terrain, reflecting the grim nature of the Hyborian age.
- 🏰 Kingdoms
- 🌊 Oceans
- 🌄 Mountains
What Are the Themes of Conan the Barbarian?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Revenge, Legacy and Magic.
-
01
Revenge
The theme of revenge drives Conan's journey throughout the film. After witnessing the murder of his father and the destruction of his village, Conan dedicates his life to avenging those wrongs. This quest not only highlights his ferocity but also explores the impact of vengeance on his identity and relationships.
-
02
Legacy
Legacy plays a crucial role in Conan's character development. He seeks to honor his father’s memory by reclaiming his family’s heritage and fighting against tyranny. The bond between father and son shapes Conan into the formidable warrior he becomes, leading him to forge his own legacy through acts of bravery.
-
03
Magic
Magic, particularly the dark sorcery of the Necromancers, is a central element in the narrative. The resurrection of the dead through the Mask of Acheron and the power it wields drives the conflict in the story. It raises questions about the morality of using such forces and the consequences they unleash upon humanity.
What Kind of Film Is Conan the Barbarian?
Dark in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A relentlessly intense and dark sword-and-sorcery epic fueled by a savage quest for vengeance, featuring brutal violence and a grim atmosphere tempered by a concluding sense of hard-won honor.
- brutal
- vengeful
- epic
- dark
- savage
- tragic
- revenge
- loss of family
- ancient magic
- barbarian warrior
Content notes: mass violence, child endangerment, slavery, necromancy, human sacrifice.
Quiz
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Where to Watch Conan the Barbarian
Stream it on Fandango at Home Free and MovieSphere+, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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