What are the main themes of The Humanoid?

The summary picks out 3 themes: Mutation, Resistance and Friendship.

Who directed The Humanoid?

The Humanoid (1979) was directed by Aldo Lado and runs 1 hour 40 minutes.

The Humanoid (1979) Plot Summary & Timeline

Q: Who are the main characters in The Humanoid?

The story follows Golob (Richard Kiel) (played by Richard Kiel), Barbara Gibson (Corinne Cléry) (played by Corinne Cléry), Tom Tom (Marco Yeh) (played by Marco Yeh) and The Great Brother (Massimo Serato) (played by Massimo Serato); the character guide covers 9 characters in all.

No spoilers

What Is The Humanoid About?

The premise of The Humanoid in 316 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In a glittering future where the twin worlds of Earth and space have merged into a single, sprawling metropolis, life has settled into a sleek rhythm of technology and order. The city’s towering spires and humming transit corridors mask a fragile balance, a quiet confidence that anything can be engineered, improved, or controlled. Beneath the polished surface, whispers of ambition and old rivalries linger, suggesting that even the most perfect societies are vulnerable to the desires of a few.

Against this backdrop, Graal—a charismatic yet ruthless figure determined to seize power from his own brother—forms an uneasy alliance with the brilliant but unhinged scientist Dr. Kraspin. Together they have perfected a serum capable of reshaping ordinary humans into seemingly unstoppable soldiers, a breakthrough that promises to rewrite the rules of warfare and authority. Their first trial involves the seasoned pilot Golob, whose transformation hints at both the awe‑inspiring potential and the terrifying consequences of tampering with humanity’s core.

The emergence of such a weapon throws the city’s citizens into a race against time. Those who cherish the fragile peace must now navigate a maze of deception, scientific marvel, and raw power, all while grappling with the unsettling notion that the very tools designed to protect could become instruments of domination. Trust becomes a scarce commodity, and alliances form out of necessity as the populace seeks to outwit a mastermind whose vision stretches far beyond mere political ambition.

The tone of the film balances sleek, high‑tech spectacle with an undercurrent of suspense, blending the grandeur of a futuristic skyline with the intimate drama of individuals confronting an existential threat. Its atmosphere is charged with a sense of looming catastrophe, yet it also celebrates the resilience and ingenuity of ordinary people when faced with an extraordinary challenge. The stage is set for a clash where intellect, brawn, and moral conviction will determine the fate of an entire world.

Full plot

What Happens in The Humanoid?

The complete story of The Humanoid, from the first scene to the last, in 792 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout.

Spoilers ahead

In the distant future, Metropolis — once Earth — has become a peaceful utopia under The Great Brother [Massimo Serato]. That serenity is suddenly threatened when his brother Graal [Ivan Rassimov] escapes a prison satellite, steals a warship, and allies with the mad scientist Dr. Kraspin [Arthur Kennedy] to forge an army of unstoppable supersoldiers called the “Humanoids.” The key to their mutation project is Kapitron, a potent element kept at the Grovan Institute on Metropolis.

Graal dispatches a raid team to seize the Kapitron and, if needed, to erase any obstacle in their path. Among their targets is Barbara Gibson, Barbara Gibson, [Corinne Cléry], a scientist who once worked with Kraspin but who recognized the danger of the element and had him confined years earlier. Barbara leaves before the slaughter when summoned home by her enigmatic pupil, a boy named Tom Tom, Tom Tom, [Marco Yeh], who displays powerful mental abilities and periodically communes with two mysterious travelers.

Meanwhile, Kraspin has found asylum on the distant world of Noxon, where he is sheltered by Lady Agatha, Lady Agatha [Barbara Bach], a tyrant queen who dreams of ruling the galaxy in a union with Graal. Kraspin supplies her with a youth serum—a macabre process that drains life from female slaves—to keep Agatha young and beautiful while he works his dark experiments. With Kapitron now in hand, Kraspin chooses his test subject: Golob, Golob [Richard Kiel], a bearded giant whose ship is forced to crash into a lake, where Kraspin fires a Kapitron missile that mutates him into a raging, superhuman hulking figure. Golob’s robot dog Kip watches the chaos as Kraspin and Graal abduct the behemoth for their plans.

A brain-control chip is implanted in Golob, and he is unleashed on Metropolis with orders to kill The Great Brother. Nick, a Metropolis security officer, tries to shield the ruler, but Golob’s overwhelming power drives him forward—until Kraspin suddenly shifts his orders to go after Barbara Gibson first. Golob departs, leaving Nick and the Great Brother to regroup.

Golob tracks Barbara to her home, but Tom Tom uses his powers to calm him and removes the control chip. Free of Kraspin’s grip, Golob becomes a staunch ally to Tom Tom and Barbara, explaining in vague terms that Graal and Kraspin are hiding on Noxon. Barbara resolves to warn Nick and The Great Brother, but in transit she is captured by Graal’s forces. Tom Tom and Golob stage a rescue but are forced to retreat when Graal’s soldiers open fire. They are saved at the last moment by the two travelers, who shoot glowing arrows and help them slip away.

Back at Metropolis’s command center, Nick devises a rescue plan for Barbara, but the plan is complicated by the ever-present threat of Noxon’s civilians. Golob volunteers to undertake the mission, and Nick joins him. Tom Tom stows away as a would-be ally, and the trio heads toward Noxon. Their ship is ambushed by Graal’s fighters and crash-lands near the base, where they meet Kip again and use the robot’s help to infiltrate Graal’s stronghold. Inside, Kraspin reveals a giant Kapitron missile intended to blank Metropolis with mutational energy.

Barbara endures a grim procedure in Kraspin’s laboratory, but she is rescued just in time when Nick and Golob burst in. As Agatha and Kraspin try to flee to Graal’s ship, the heroes launch a full assault on the launch bay. Kraspin is killed when Golob topples the Kapitron launch pad, while Agatha—unable to obtain her youth serum—rapidly ages into a skeleton, meeting her end. Nick pursues Graal onto the bridge of Graal’s ship and faces him in a deadly duel. Graal fires lasers from his hands and nearly takes Nick’s life, until Golob intervenes, crushing a control panel on Graal’s chest and leaving him to disappear into the void.

Golob then rips the Kapitron container from the missile, and the rocket—now weaponized by that stolen material—is hurled toward Graal’s ship, destroying it in a cataclysmic explosion. As the facility collapses around them, the heroes escape—though Golob initially seems lost in the chaos. Tom Tom spots him fleeing with the Kapitron, leaps into a lake to pursue, and the lake explodes behind them. The mutation’s effects reverse, and Golob surfaces, alive and restored enough to celebrate the group’s reunion.

A mysterious translucent sailing ship appears in the sky, piloted by the two travelers. Tom Tom explains that his mission is complete and that he must return to Tibet in the ancient past, but he promises Barbara that he will always be with her in her heart. With that, Tom Tom departs on the ship, a final image of departure and memory as Metropolis’s future hangs in the balance and a hard-won peace settles over the planet.

Timeline

The Humanoid Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

15 key events in the order they happen, from “Graal escapes prison and recruits Kraspin” to “Tom Tom departs to Tibet; ending”. 15 events name a place, across 13 locations.

1

Graal escapes prison and recruits Kraspin

Graal escapes from a prison satellite, seizes a warship, and recruits Dr. Kraspin to his cause. He plans to conquer Metropolis and eliminate anyone who opposes him. This escape sets the stage for the raid on the Grovan Institute to seize Kapitron.

When:Before the Grovan Institute raid Where:Prison satellite
2

Kraspin's plan to weaponize Kapitron

Kraspin reveals a plan to create an army of mutations called Humanoids using Kapitron. The Kapitron is kept at the Grovan Institute on Metropolis. The partnership with Graal gives the plan a clear path to action.

When:Plan formation after recruitment Where:Grovan Institute, Metropolis
3

Raid on Grovan Institute and theft of Kapitron

Graal's squad breaches Grovan Institute and steals the Kapitron. The raid also targets Barbara Gibson, a scientist who opposed Kraspin, with orders to kill her. The theft accelerates Kraspin's ambitions and triggers Barbara's evacuation.

When:During the raid Where:Grovan Institute, Metropolis
4

Barbara is warned and flees; Tom Tom's influence

Barbara Gibson is warned by her mysterious pupil Tom Tom and leaves before the slaughter. Tom Tom also communicates with two enigmatic travelers who may be guiding him. Her departure buys her time but sets in motion new dangers.

When:Immediately after raid Where:Grovan Institute vicinity / Barbara's home
5

Graal and Agatha reunite on Noxon

Graal returns to his hidden base on Noxon and is joined by the tyrant queen, Lady Agatha, who aims to rule the galaxy with him. Kraspin also hides there, keeping Agatha young with a life-sapping youth serum. The power alliance grows as the plan shifts off-world.

When:After the Grovan raid Where:Noxon
6

Golob is chosen for Kraspin's mutation test

Kraspin selects Golob, a bearded giant, as the perfect specimen for mutation. He uses a Kapitron-powered device to crash Golob's ship into a lake and detonates a Kapitron missile inside him. Golob mutates into a raging behemoth under Kraspin's control.

When:After selection on Noxon Where:Lake (near Noxon) and Kraspin's facility
7

Golob becomes a weapon of Metropolis; new orders

Golob is fitted with a brain-control chip and unleashed on Metropolis to kill The Great Brother. Nick, a Metropolis security officer, fights to protect the ruler from the rampaging giant. Kraspin shifts his orders to first pursue Barbara.

When:Shortly after mutation Where:Metropolis
8

Tom Tom frees Golob and reveals Kraspin's location

Tom Tom uses his powers to calm Golob and removes the brain-control chip, freeing him. Golob regains his humanity and becomes Barbara's ally. He reveals that Graal and Kraspin are hiding on Noxon and urges Barbara to inform Nick and The Great Brother.

When:After chip removal Where:Metropolis
9

Barbara is captured again; travelers rescue

Barbara is captured by Graal's forces and taken back to his base. Tom Tom and Golob attempt a rescue but are repelled by Graal's soldiers. They are saved at last by two mysterious travelers who shoot the guards with glowing arrows.

When:During the attempted rescue Where:Graal's base, Metropolis
10

Command center plan; Golob and Nick fly to Noxon

Nick devises a plan to rescue Barbara from Noxon, but The Great Brother fears civilian casualties. Golob volunteers to undertake the mission, and Nick joins him as they depart toward Noxon aboard a ship, with Tom Tom stowing away to help.

When:Planning and departure Where:Metropolis command center; space en route to Noxon

Show the other 5 events of The Humanoid

11

Escape and breach on Noxon; Kip joins the team

Their ship is attacked by Graal's fighters and crash-lands near Noxon. They meet Kip, Golob's robot dog ally, who helps them slip into Graal's base. Inside, they discover Kraspin's giant Kapitron missile that could devastate Metropolis.

When:Approach to Noxon Where:Near Noxon; Graal's base
12

Barbara rescued from Kraspin's lab

Barbara is brought to Kraspin's laboratory on Noxon and placed in a machine to extract her life essence. Nick and Golob burst in, freeing her at the last moment. Kraspin and Agatha flee toward Graal's ship with their plans intact.

When:Climax pre-finale Where:Kraspin's laboratory, Noxon
13

Final assault on the launch bay

The heroes, aided by the travelers, assault Kraspin's launch bay where the Kapitron missile is prepared. Kraspin is killed when Golob topples the launch pad, and Agatha dies of old age after failing to obtain the youth serum. Nick duels Graal on his ship's bridge as the battle rages.

When:Climax Where:Launch bay; Graal's ship
14

Kapitron taken away; Graal's ship destroyed; Golob's fate

Golob removes the Kapitron container from the missile, causing the weapon to detonate away from Metropolis and destroying Graal's ship. The facility explodes as the heroes flee, but Golob is last seen escaping, carrying the Kapitron toward a lake. The mutation's effects reverse as he returns to his normal self.

When:Immediate aftermath of battle Where:Launch bay / Graal's ship vicinity
15

Tom Tom departs to Tibet; ending

A mysterious translucent sailing ship appears in the sky, piloted by the two travelers. Tom Tom tells Barbara he is returning to Tibet in the ancient past, but that he will always be with her in her heart. He departs, leaving Barbara to face the future with renewed hope.

When:Ending Where:Sky above Metropolis; Tibet (in flashback/ending frame)

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in The Humanoid?

9 characters, among them Golob (Richard Kiel), Barbara Gibson (Corinne Cléry) and Tom Tom (Marco Yeh): who each one is and the part they play in the story. 8 of them link to the actor’s page.

G(
Golob (Richard Kiel)

Played by Richard Kiel

A behemoth mutated by Kraspin into a superhuman enforcer who is initially under control. After Tom Tom removes his brain-implant, Golob becomes Barbara and Tom Tom’s ally, using his strength to aid in the defense of Metropolis. His loyalty and renewed humanity drive much of the climax.
- 🦾 Mutant
- 💪 Enforcer
BG
Barbara Gibson (Corinne Cléry)

Played by Corinne Cléry

A scientist who foresaw the dangers of Kapitron and opposed Kraspin. Targeted by Graal’s raid due to her past involvement with Kraspin, she fights to prevent catastrophe and ultimately aids the heroes with crucial knowledge. Her determination anchors the resistance against the tyrannical regime.
- 🧠 Scientist
- 🛡️ Target
TT
Tom Tom (Marco Yeh)

Played by Marco Yeh

A mysterious boy with powerful mental abilities who communes with enigmatic travelers. He guides Golob to ally with Barbara and helps calm Golob during his mutation crisis. Tom Tom’s powers and his arc toward a distant past play a pivotal role in the story’s resolution.
- 🧠 Telepath
- 🧭 Ally
TG
The Great Brother (Massimo Serato)

Played by Massimo Serato

The benevolent yet powerful ruler of Metropolis who fears collateral damage from rescue efforts. He embodies the utopian ideal that governance should protect its people, even when military actions risk innocent lives. His leadership is tested by Graal’s rebellion and Kraspin’s schemes.
- 👑 Leader
- 🗺️ Visionary
G(
Graal (Ivan Rassimov)

Played by Ivan Rassimov

The Great Brother’s treacherous brother who escapes from prison, allies with Kraspin, and seeks to conquer Metropolis. His alien tactics and brutal ambitions drive the central conflict. He ultimately disappears after battle, leaving his fate uncertain.
- ⚔️ Villain
- 🧭 Ambitious
Dr. Kraspin (Arthur Kennedy)

Played by Arthur Kennedy

A mad scientist bent on mutating humanity to forge an army of Humanoids. He manipulates Kapitron for power and seeks revenge on Barbara. His downfall comes when Golob disrupts the launch of a destructive Kapitron weapon.
- 🧪 Scientist
- 🧨 Mad Genius
Lady Agatha (Barbara Bach)

Played by Barbara Bach

The tyrannical queen of Noxon who seeks to expand power by aligning with Graal. She relies on Kraspin’s youth serum to retain youth and vitality, ultimately aging rapidly into a skeleton after her serum fails. She embodies the ruthlessness of tyrannical rule.
- 👑 Ruler
- 🕳️ Ruthless
N(
Nick (Leonard Mann)

Played by Leonard Mann

A Metropolis security officer who coordinates rescue efforts and opposes Kraspin’s mutational threat. He joins Golob in the mission to infiltrate Graal’s base, representing the human element of courage and duty in crisis.
- 🛡️ Protector
- 🧭 Strategist
K(
Kip (Robot Dog)

Kip is the loyal robot canine companion who assists the heroes, providing aid during stealthy infiltrations. Although not much is described in the cast, Kip represents the alliance between humans and intelligent machines in the conflict.
- 🤖 Robot
- 🐶 Loyal

Setting

Where and When Is The Humanoid Set?

The Humanoid is set in Metropolis, Noxon and Tibet (Distant future). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.

When

Distant future

The narrative unfolds on a far-future planet where advanced science and space travel coexist with political intrigue. Metropolis functions as a high-tech utopia threatened by internal and external enemies. The conflict centers on weapons like Kapitron and the creation of super-soldiers, leading to large-scale battles and peril. The finale suggests a journey beyond the present era toward an ancient past.

Where

Metropolis, Noxon, Tibet

Metropolis is a distant future world and peaceful utopia ruled by The Great Brother. The story shifts to Graal's hidden base on the distant planet Noxon, where the tyrannical regime and Kraspin's experiments unfold. In the end, Tom Tom departs to a land called Tibet in the ancient past, hinting at a time-traveling dimension beyond Metropolis and Noxon.

🪐 Sci-Fi World
🌍 Metropolis Setting
🗺️ Planetary Realm

Themes

What Are the Themes of The Humanoid?

3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Mutation, Resistance and Friendship.

01

Mutation

Kraspin’s plan hinges on Kapitron to mutate ordinary soldiers into unstoppable Humanoids. The theme explores the ethical boundaries of scientific power and the dehumanization that can come with weaponizing biology. Barbara’s past warns of the consequences of misused discovery. It questions whether humanity should pursue power at any cost.
02

Resistance

A diverse group of heroes challenges tyrannical rule and a deranged scientist. The Great Brother and Nick organize a counter-movement to protect Metropolis and its people. Golob’s rampage and Tom Tom’s guidance propel the mission to save the city. The narrative centers on courage, sacrifice, and collective action against overwhelming odds.
03

Friendship

Golab’s liberation and alliance with Tom Tom and Barbara demonstrates the healing power of trust across unlikely partners. The travelers’ aid, Kip the robot dog, and the bond formed between heroes underline unity in the face of tyranny. These friendships bridge species and loyalties, strengthening the resolve to resist Kraspin and Graal. The theme emphasizes cooperation as a path to victory.