Godzilla x Kong (2024)

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024) - Full Analysis & Review

Image Source: IMP Awards 

Title: Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

Release Date: March 29, 2024 (USA)

Director: Adam Wingard

Writers: Terry Rossio, Simon Barrett, Jeremy Slater

Franchise: MonsterVerse (5th installment)

Genre: Action, Science Fiction, Monster, Adventure

Runtime: Approx. 115 minutes

Main Cast:

Rebecca Hall as Dr. Ilene Andrews

Brian Tyree Henry as Bernie Hayes

Dan Stevens as Trapper

Kaylee Hottle as Jia

Fala Chen, Rachel House, Alex Ferns

Plot Summary:

Godzilla and Kong must join forces to battle a new, hidden threat emerging from the Hollow Earth that endangers both their existence and humanity.

Box Office: $571.9 million worldwide

Streaming: Available on Max

Home Release: Blu-ray, DVD, Digital – Available since May–June 2024

Introduction

"Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" (2024) is the fifth installment in Legendary Entertainment’s MonsterVerse franchise. Following the events of "Godzilla vs. Kong" (2021), this film deepens the narrative around Hollow Earth and the co-existence of Titans, offering an even more bombastic, emotionally layered, and visually electrifying cinematic experience. Directed by Adam Wingard and featuring an ensemble cast including Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, and Dan Stevens, the movie marks a new chapter in monster movie storytelling that successfully merges world-building with epic-scale action.

Plot Summary

The story picks up some time after the battle between Godzilla and Kong in Hong Kong. Godzilla now patrols the surface, maintaining balance, while Kong has made Hollow Earth his new domain. Humanity has settled into a cautious truce with the Titans, aided by Monarch’s ever-watchful eyes. However, peace is short-lived.

A mysterious signal begins emanating from the core of the Hollow Earth. Monarch scientists, led by Dr. Ilene Andrews (Rebecca Hall), suspect an ancient threat is stirring—one that predates even the known Titans. With her adopted daughter Jia (Kaylee Hottle), who shares a unique psychic bond with Kong, and the eccentric conspiracy theorist-turned-hero Bernie Hayes (Brian Tyree Henry), Dr. Andrews assembles a team to investigate.

They are joined by Trapper (Dan Stevens), a daring Titan veterinarian with his own secrets. As they descend into Hollow Earth, they discover the existence of the Skar King, a brutal, highly intelligent simian Titan with a deep-rooted hatred for Kong’s bloodline. The Skar King seeks to conquer both Hollow Earth and the surface by awakening a dormant, world-destroying energy source.

Kong, now fitted with an ancient gauntlet-like weapon discovered in the ruins of Hollow Earth, must join forces with Godzilla. Despite their uneasy alliance, the two Titans face off against Skar King and his monstrous followers in a clash that threatens all of Earth.

Cast and Characters

• Rebecca Hall as Dr. Ilene Andrews – The lead scientist working for Monarch who becomes the emotional core of the film, providing wisdom, stability, and a bridge between science and intuition.
• Brian Tyree Henry as Bernie Hayes – A returning fan-favorite, now transformed from an underground podcaster to a reluctant hero with key insight into Titan energy.
• Dan Stevens as Trapper – A new character with a rogueish charm, who brings humor and heart to the film. He specializes in understanding and treating Titans, forming a bond with Kong.
• Kaylee Hottle as Jia – The mute, adopted daughter of Dr. Andrews, with a telepathic-like connection to Kong. Her emotional arc is pivotal to the story.
• Fala Chen, Rachel House, and Alex Ferns – Supporting cast members who help flesh out the world of Monarch and Hollow Earth, offering both exposition and depth.

Direction and Vision

Adam Wingard returns to direct after helming "Godzilla vs. Kong." With "The New Empire," he dials up the intensity, offering both stylistic flair and a grounded emotional core. Wingard crafts breathtaking action sequences—especially in Hollow Earth—with a distinct color palette and kinetic camera work that distinguishes this film from its predecessors. He balances bombastic monster fights with human emotion, maintaining momentum while giving audiences reasons to care.

His decision to frame Kong as a more emotionally expressive creature contrasts effectively with Godzilla’s stoic, elemental nature. The film's themes of legacy, cooperation, and the balance between ancient forces reflect Wingard’s desire to blend spectacle with mythology.

Production Details

The movie was produced by Legendary Pictures, with Warner Bros. handling distribution. Principal photography began in late 2022, primarily in locations across Australia and New Zealand, where massive sets were built to depict the subterranean world of Hollow Earth.

The visual effects, delivered by WETA Digital and MPC, are among the most advanced in the franchise. The Hollow Earth sequences in particular feature lush bioluminescent jungles, floating rock formations, and stunning atmospheric effects that immerse the viewer in a truly alien world.

The creature designs are one of the highlights of the film. Kong’s new armor and weapon system are inspired by ancient Mesopotamian and Pacific Islander motifs. Skar King’s design is menacing, lean, and filled with expressive, villainous detail—making him one of the most memorable MonsterVerse antagonists.

Musical Score

Tom Holkenborg (Junkie XL) returns to score the film, blending orchestral grandeur with industrial beats. Each Titan has a distinct musical motif. Kong’s theme is tribal and percussive, while Godzilla’s is orchestral and thunderous. Skar King’s music, a distorted and dissonant composition, enhances the dread he brings to each scene. The music never overwhelms, instead elevating the emotional stakes.

Marketing Campaign

The marketing for "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" was a carefully orchestrated multi-platform campaign that began with a teaser trailer in mid-2023. It hinted at a new threat without revealing Skar King, piquing fan interest.

Warner Bros. and Legendary utilized viral marketing, including Monarch-themed websites, Titan energy trackers, and teaser posters placed in international cities. The partnership with gaming platforms led to Godzilla x Kong DLCs in popular games like "Call of Duty" and "Fortnite."

Social media played a huge role. Each character and Titan had their own promotional arc, including Instagram story takeovers and YouTube lore breakdowns. The premiere was held in Los Angeles, with both fans and influencers invited to experience a “Titan encounter” virtual reality event.

Release and Box Office

"Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" released globally on March 29, 2024. It was screened in IMAX, 4DX, and Dolby Atmos formats. Despite strong competition from other major franchises, the film opened to an impressive $85 million in the U.S. and grossed $571.9 million globally by the end of its theatrical run.

The movie was made available on digital platforms by May 2024 and released on Blu-ray and DVD soon after. It also became available for streaming on Max by June 2024, drawing in a massive audience within its first week.

Critical Reception

Critics praised the film’s visual spectacle, emotional resonance, and improved storytelling compared to earlier entries. The performance of Dan Stevens was particularly well-received, with many calling his character a breakout addition to the franchise.

However, some critiques were directed at the pacing in the second act, where exposition-heavy scenes momentarily slowed the momentum. Despite this, Rotten Tomatoes rated it at 78% fresh, while the audience score hit an impressive 90%.

Fan Response

Fans embraced the film wholeheartedly. Hashtags like #GodzillaXKong and #SkarKing trended globally for weeks. Fan art, fan theories, and lore videos flooded TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

The emotional depth of Kong’s arc, Jia’s connection to him, and the eventual team-up with Godzilla earned high praise. The final battle, described by many as "the most satisfying Titan fight ever," has already become iconic.

Image Source: IMP Awards 

Legacy and Future

"Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" solidifies the MonsterVerse as a viable, expansive cinematic universe. Legendary has already hinted at spin-offs focusing on Hollow Earth, a Skar King prequel, and a potential crossover with other mythical monsters.

The film’s success also opens doors for deeper exploration of Titan mythology. There is talk of a Monarch series expansion, with new teams exploring ancient artifacts and Titan nexuses.

Conclusion

"Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" is more than just a monster movie—it’s a thrilling, emotionally charged journey that balances giant monster brawls with human storytelling. With stunning visuals, compelling characters, and a satisfying plot, it stands as one of the best entries in the MonsterVerse.

Whether you’re a fan of cinematic spectacle or deep lore, this film delivers on all fronts and leaves the door wide open for exciting new adventures in the world of Titans.