There’s a moment early on in Jurassic World Rebirth where a billboard of dinosaurs is being painted over, quietly erased from view as if the world has simply moved on. It’s a neat bit of visual storytelling, but it also feels like a statement of intent. This is a franchise trying to reset itself, to strip things back and start again, even if it can’t quite let go of what came before.
Back to Basics, With a New Mission
Directed by Gareth Edwards, this latest entry introduces a new set of characters and a more contained, mission-led story, following specialist Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson) as she leads a team into a restricted tropical region to collect DNA samples from three of the largest remaining dinosaurs. The mission is framed as a potential medical breakthrough, with the promise of life-saving treatments, though it’s clear from the outset that there are financial motives driving it too, particularly through Rupert Friend’s Martin Krebs, the corporate figure overseeing the operation.
Alongside Zora is Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali), a steady and quietly guarded presence whose past is only hinted at but adds a layer of emotional weight, and palaeontologist Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey), who brings a sense of curiosity and genuine awe to the mission, especially in his first encounters with the living creatures he has only ever studied in theory. On paper, the task is simple and structured, but once they reach the island, it quickly becomes something far more unpredictable.
Running alongside this is a separate storyline involving the Delgado family, who are caught up in the chaos after a sea attack. Reuben Delgado (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) is travelling with his daughters Teresa (Luna Blaise) and Isabella (Audrina Miranda), along with Teresa’s boyfriend Xavier (David Iacono), and their dynamic brings a more grounded, relatable perspective to the unfolding danger. There are familiar family tensions at play, from protective parenting to awkward teenage relationships, but as the threat escalates, those details fall into the background, replaced by a shared instinct to survive. It’s a more traditional thread, but it helps anchor the film emotionally and gives the spectacle something more human to hold onto.
The Spielberg DNA Still Runs Deep
What Rebirth does well is tap into the core appeal that made the original Jurassic Park so effective. There’s a clear love for those earlier films, not just in the structure of the story but in the way scenes are staged. Quiet tension, slow reveals, and the sense that danger is always just behind you are used to strong effect, often placing the audience a step ahead of the characters. The set-pieces are varied and, for the most part, genuinely engaging. The Mosasaurus sequence leans into open-water suspense with clear echoes of Jaws, while the Titanosaurus encounter offers a rare pause for awe, allowing the film to breathe and remind you why these creatures are so captivating in the first place. Not every sequence lands as strongly, but there’s enough here to keep the momentum going. Visually, the film looks fantastic, with Edwards favouring a more grounded, tactile approach that helps the dinosaurs feel like they exist within the world rather than simply on top of it. It’s a noticeable improvement from the more artificial feel of recent entries, and it makes a difference.
Performances That Elevate the Story
A lot of what works in Jurassic World Rebirth comes down to its cast, who bring a sense of grounding and personality to a story that could easily feel familiar. Scarlett Johansson steps into the lead with real confidence, giving Zora both strength and restraint, and allowing quieter moments to carry just as much weight as the action. Jonathan Bailey brings a warmth and curiosity that makes his presence instantly likeable, especially in scenes where the film pauses to take in the scale and wonder of the dinosaurs. There’s an ease to his performance that adds lightness without undercutting the stakes. Mahershala Ali, though, stands out. As Duncan, he gives the film its emotional core, delivering a performance that feels thoughtful and quietly affecting, revealing more through small moments than anything overt. His presence adds depth to the story and brings a sense of feeling that carries through the film, making his performance one of its strongest elements.
Familiar Territory, With Just Enough Spark
For all its attempts at reinvention, Jurassic World Rebirth still follows a familiar path, with its structure and character beats drawing from a well-established formula. That familiarity is noticeable, but it also works in the film’s favour, giving it a sense of clarity and confidence in what it’s trying to do. There’s an understanding of the tone and style that made the earlier films work, and it leans into that without overcomplicating things. The result is a solid, engaging adventure that balances action, suspense, and quieter character moments, and while it may not dramatically reshape the franchise, it does feel like a step in the right direction after some more uneven entries.
CultureCues Standout Moment
A key moment unfolds towards the end, as the group tries to escape and comes face to face with the D-rex. With no other option, Duncan uses a flare to draw the creature away, giving everyone else the chance to get out. It’s a tense, emotional sequence, and for a moment it really feels like a final sacrifice. As he runs and dives into the water to pull the D-Rex away from the others, it plays like he knows exactly what he’s doing and what it might cost him. It’s the kind of moment that hits hard, and it’s easy to believe he won’t make it out. Then comes the surprise at the end. Duncan survives, and it lifts the whole scene in a way that feels genuinely satisfying. It turns what could have been a heavy ending into something more hopeful, and it’s easily one of the film’s most memorable moments.
Final Thoughts
Jurassic World Rebirth doesn’t reinvent the franchise, but it doesn’t need to. What it offers is a more grounded, more confident return to what made these films work in the first place, with strong performances, well-crafted set-pieces, and just enough emotional weight to carry it through. It’s an easy one to recommend.
Jurassic World Rebirth was released in UK cinemas on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.