What Is Prometheus About?
The premise of Prometheus in 312 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the late 21st century humanity turns its gaze outward, funding a bold expedition to the distant moon LV‑223. The promise of a star‑mapped clue hidden among ancient Earth myths whispers of a forgotten progenitor race, and the promise of answers about our own beginnings drives the mission forward. The sterile corridors of the research vessel Prometheus become a floating sanctuary of curiosity, its sleek design reflecting both the optimism and the unease of a species standing on the brink of a revelation that could reshape its self‑understanding.
At the heart of the venture are two passionate archaeologists, Elizabeth Shaw and Charlie Holloway, whose partnership blends scholarly rigor with a restless yearning for truth. Backed by the enigmatic founder of Weyland Corp., Peter Weyland, whose ambition borders on the mythic, the crew also includes the inscrutable mission director Meredith Vickers, whose pragmatic authority often counters the idealism of the scientists. Hovering in the background is David, an android whose calm efficiency and hidden motives add an undercurrent of tension to the otherwise human‑driven quest.
The tone of the film is unmistakably cinematic and foreboding, marrying the cold grandeur of space travel with an intimate, almost reverent fascination for the unknown. The alien landscape they encounter is both awe‑inspiring and subtly menacing, a world of towering structures and an atmosphere that hints at secrets better left buried. Every step the team takes is underscored by a quiet dread that the answers they seek may come at a cost they are not prepared to pay.
As the crew delves deeper into the moon’s mysteries, the narrative balances spectacular visual wonder with philosophical contemplation. Questions of creation, purpose, and the limits of human curiosity loom large, inviting viewers to share in the tension between the alluring promise of discovery and the shadow of the possible consequences that lie just beyond the reach of their understanding.
What Happens in Prometheus?
The complete story of Prometheus, from the first scene to the last, in 728 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
As a spacecraft hovers away from a planet, a humanoid alien consumes a dark, bubbling liquid, which ultimately leads to his disintegration and the cascading of his remains into a waterfall. This event sets off a bio-genetic reaction with far-reaching consequences. Fast forward to 2089, archaeologists Elizabeth Shaw and Charlie Holloway make a groundbreaking discovery in Scotland—a star map linking various ancient civilizations. They interpret this as a call to action from the “Engineers,” an advanced race considered to be humanity’s forerunners.
Backed by the elderly CEO of Weyland Corporation, Peter Weyland (played by Guy Pearce), a scientific vessel named Prometheus is built to journey to the distant moon LV-223. As the crew travels in stasis, the android David operates the ship, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Upon arrival in 2093, the crew is briefed by Meredith Vickers, the mission director, to avoid any contact with the Engineers without her explicit permission. Before their departure, they receive a haunting message from Weyland, who has passed away during the voyage.
Upon landing near a massive artificial structure, the crew begins their exploration, uncovering stone cylinders, a monolithic humanoid statue, and an Engineer’s corpse, leading them to believe the species may be extinct. Secretively, David takes one of the cylinders back onboard while the others leak a dark liquid, which makes contact with some worm-like organisms on the ground. As a storm approaches, the crew hurries back to Prometheus, inadvertently leaving team members Millburn and Fifield trapped inside the structure. David manages to communicate with an unseen being within a stasis pod, receiving the ominous instruction to “try harder.”
In the ship’s lab, the revelation that the Engineer’s DNA closely matches humans sends shockwaves through the crew. David, in a risky move, taints Holloway’s drink with the dark liquid. Shortly after, Holloway and Shaw consummate their relationship. Meanwhile, chaos ensues inside the structure as a snake-like creature attacks Millburn, and corrosive fluid from it incapacitating Fifield. When the crew returns, they find Millburn’s lifeless body. David pursues his own investigations, leading him to a control room containing a living Engineer in stasis along with a star map that highlights Earth.
Holloway’s fate becomes dire after consuming the dark liquid, leading to a swift and grisly infection. He is brought back to Prometheus but is met with resistance from Vickers, who ultimately has to incinerate him to prevent the spread of the infection. Surprisingly, a medical scan unveils that Shaw, despite being sterile, is pregnant with an alien life form. In a desperate bid for survival, Shaw uses Vickers’ automated surgical equipment to remove and subdue the squid-like being inside her.
At this stage, it is revealed that Weyland has been in stasis onboard Prometheus, aiming to confront the Engineers in hopes of eradicating his own aging. He calls Vickers “Father” as he prepares to venture out to the structure. In a tragic turn, Fifield, now mutated by the dark liquid, launches a catastrophic attack within the hangar before being slain. Captain Janek speculates that the mysterious structure belonged to the Engineers and acted as a platform for a bioweapon gone rogue. He also deduces that it is essentially a hidden spacecraft.
When Weyland and his team awaken the Engineer, things take a grisly turn as the alien decapitates David and eliminates Weyland along with his crew. Shaw manages to escape just as the Engineer activates its vessel intending to unleash the dark liquid on Earth. Janek, recognizing the imminent danger, launches a lifeboat and collides the Prometheus into the Engineer’s ship, while Vickers finds refuge in an escape pod.
The disabled spacecraft crashes, crushing Vickers beneath its wreckage. Still, Shaw survives and discovers her alien offspring alive, now in a considerably larger form. David’s severed head warns her via intercom that the Engineer has indeed survived the collision. The Engineer breaches the lifeboat’s airlock and launches an aggressive assault on Shaw. In an unexpected maneuver, Shaw unleashes her alien offspring, which subdues the Engineer by forcing a tentacle into its throat.
By recovering David’s remains and utilizing his knowledge, Shaw initiates another escape attempt using an Engineer spacecraft. Her goal? To journey to the Engineers’ home world and uncover the terrifying truth behind their intentions to annihilate humanity. As she takes flight, a chilling revelation occurs—an alien creature erupts from the chest of the Engineer, hinting at the horrors that await.
Prometheus Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Alien Consumption” to “Journey to the Engineers' Home World”. 13 events name a place, across 4 locations.
- 1
Alien Consumption
A humanoid alien consumes a dark, bubbling liquid while hovering above a planet, leading to its disintegration. This bizarre act initiates a bio-genetic reaction with significant consequences for the universe.
- 2
Discovery of the Star Map
In the year 2089, archaeologists Elizabeth Shaw and Charlie Holloway make a groundbreaking discovery in Scotland. They find a star map that links various ancient civilizations, interpreting it as a summons from the Engineers, humanity's purported ancestors.
When:2089 Where:Scotland
- 3
Voyage of Prometheus Begins
To pursue the signal from the star map, the Weyland Corporation constructs the spaceship Prometheus. Backed by CEO Peter Weyland, the crew embarks on a mission to the distant moon LV-223, anticipating potential contact with the Engineers.
Where:Prometheus
- 4
Arrival at LV-223
In 2093, the crew of Prometheus arrives at LV-223 and is briefed by Meredith Vickers. She warns them to avoid any contact with the Engineers without her explicit permission, setting the stage for an unsafe exploration.
When:2093 Where:LV-223
- 5
Exploration of the Structure
The crew lands near a massive artificial structure on LV-223, beginning their exploration. They uncover stone cylinders, a giant humanoid statue, and the corpse of an Engineer, leading them to believe the species may be extinct.
Where:LV-223
- 6
David's Secret Experiment
In a secretive move, David, the ship's android, takes one of the stone cylinders back to the Prometheus. This cylinder leaks dark liquid that interacts with local worm-like organisms, setting off a chain of deadly events.
Where:LV-223
- 7
The Attack of the Snake-like Creature
As chaos ensues within the structure, a snake-like creature attacks team member Millburn. Meanwhile, corrosive fluid from the creature incapacitating Fifield leads to a grisly and horrifying situation for the crew.
Where:LV-223
- 8
Holloway's Infection
After the crew discovers that the Engineer's DNA is nearly identical to humans, David taints Holloway's drink with dark liquid. This act leads to Holloway's quick infection and death, prompting drastic measures for containment.
Where:Prometheus
- 9
Shaw's Alien Pregnancy
During a medical examination, it's revealed that Shaw, despite her sterility, is pregnant with an alien life form. In a desperate attempt, Shaw uses automated surgical equipment to extract the squid-like being growing inside her.
Where:Prometheus
- 10
Weyland's Awakening
The unexpected revelation emerges that Peter Weyland has been in stasis aboard the Prometheus. His intent is to confront the Engineers and seek a way to overcome his mortality, compelling his crew to join him on this hazardous venture.
Where:Prometheus
Show the other 5 events of Prometheus Hide the last 5 events
- 11
The Catastrophic Attack of Fifield
Now mutated by the dark liquid, Fifield attacks the crew aboard the Prometheus in a moment of chaos. His violent rampage leads to further destruction and casualty, intensifying the crew's treacherous predicament.
Where:Prometheus
- 12
Awakening the Engineer
Weyland and his team manage to awaken a living Engineer from its stasis. However, this encounter turns fatal as the Engineer becomes hostile, decapitating David and slaughtering Weyland and his crew, revealing the dangers of their mission.
Where:LV-223 structure
- 13
The Crash of Prometheus
Recognizing the impending doom, Captain Janek crashes the Prometheus into the Engineer's ship to thwart its plan. This desperate action prevents the Engineer from unleashing the deadly dark liquid on Earth but at a great cost.
Where:LV-223
- 14
Shaw's Final Escape
In the aftermath of the crash, Shaw survives to find her alien offspring thriving in a larger form. As she prepares to flee in an Engineer spacecraft, she is pursued by the surviving Engineer, escalating the tension for her escape.
Where:LV-223
- 15
Journey to the Engineers' Home World
In an audacious move, Shaw aims to travel to the Engineers' home world to uncover the truth about their intentions. As she departs, an alien creature erupts from the Engineer, implying that greater horrors lie ahead.
Who Are the Main Characters in Prometheus?
4 characters, among them Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace), Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green) and David (Michael Fassbender): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace)
Played by Noomi Rapace
Elizabeth Shaw is a determined and inquisitive archaeologist seeking answers about humanity's origins. Driven by faith and a quest for knowledge, she encounters harrowing challenges that test her resilience and adaptability.
- 🕵️♀️ Explorer
- 💔 Sacrifice
-
Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green)
Played by Logan Marshall-Green
Charlie Holloway is an enthusiastic archaeologist and Shaw’s partner, who yearns to discover the truth about humanity's creators. His passion for exploration leads him to make grave sacrifices, reflecting the advancement of scientific ambition coexisting with peril.
- 🧑🔬 Scientist
- ❤️ Relationships
-
David (Michael Fassbender)
Played by Michael Fassbender
David is an advanced synthetic android, characterized by his curiosity and detachment from human emotions. His actions raise ethical questions regarding artificial intelligence and the implications of creating sentient beings.
- 🤖 Android
- 🧠 Intelligence
-
Meredith Vickers (Charlize Theron)
Played by Charlize Theron
Meredith Vickers serves as the stern mission director of Prometheus, exhibiting a no-nonsense attitude as she prioritizes the mission's safety. Her complex relationship with the team reveals layers of corporate influence and personal motivations.
- 🕶️ Leader
- ⚖️ Authority
Where and When Is Prometheus Set?
Prometheus is set in Scotland and LV-223 (2089-2093). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
2089-2093
The story is set in the late 21st century, a time marked by advanced space exploration and significant scientific discoveries. As humanity seeks its origins and the truth about its creators, conflicts arise that test the limits of technology and ethics in the face of unknown dangers.
Where
Scotland, LV-223
Scotland serves as the initial discovery site for archaeologists Shaw and Holloway, who find a star map linking ancient civilizations. LV-223 is a distant moon that becomes the focal point of the Prometheus mission, harboring secrets and remnants of an advanced race known as the Engineers.
- 🌍 Location
- 🚀 Space
What Are the Themes of Prometheus?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Creation, Survival and Identity.
-
01
Creation
The theme of creation is central to 'Prometheus,' exploring humanity's desire to understand its origins. The film delves into the relationships between creators and their creations, questioning the implications of tampering with life and the consequences of seeking knowledge without wisdom.
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02
Survival
Survival takes on a grim aspect as characters face the consequences of their hubris in exploring the unknown. The struggle against external and internal threats becomes a fight for survival, accentuated by tense moments and moral dilemmas.
-
03
Identity
The quest for identity runs throughout the narrative as characters confront both their personal struggles and the larger mystery of their creators. Through their interactions with the Engineers and each other, questions of what it means to be human are brought to the forefront.
What Kind of Film Is Prometheus?
Dark in tone, with variable pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Variable
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Ambiguous
A tense and visually grand science fiction horror that creates a palpable atmosphere of dread and suspense as characters confront existential threats and unsettling cosmic truths, with moments of explosive action punctuating a slow-burning mystery.
- suspenseful
- ominous
- claustrophobic
- existential dread
- harrowing
- isolated
- alien contact
- human origins
- scientific hubris
- corporate oversight
Content notes: body horror, gory deaths, impregnation by alien, medical trauma, mutation.
Quiz
How well do you remember Prometheus? Test yourself on the story.
