In 2015, the apocalyptic action film Mad Max: Fury Road hit theaters, delivering audiences a fresh-faced character named Furiosa (played by Charlize Theron) who deservedly earned a reputation as one of the franchise’s biggest assets. So naturally, Furiosa has officially received a proper standalone story to shed light on her traumatic upbringing — and it might just be one of the strongest Mad Max stories yet.

Anya Taylor-Joy Brings Her A-Game

The immersive performance from Anya Taylor-Joy as Furiosa in the latest Mad Max movie has undeniably left a profound impact on audiences — unveiling the character’s consistently dark, tragic backstory with nuance and conviction. The buzz-worthy actor’s portrayal is a masterful blend of strength and emotion, captivating viewers with the depth she brings to the titular character once portrayed by the talented Theron. Through her origin story interpretation of Furiosa, Taylor-Joy injects the film with a fresh energy and passion that solidifies her as an exceptional talent in this timeless, iconic genre role.

Furthermore, this connection Taylor-Joy forges with the audience as Furiosa not only compliments the later chapters of her character’s life (as seen via Mad Max: Fury Road) but transcends expectations through this overarching, ambitious tale that could only be carried by someone as talented as the next-gen star.

The franchise's sense of Action-adventure is as grand as ever

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga impressively continues the renowned saga of the popular apocalyptic Mad Max franchise by skillfully combining heart-pounding car pursuits, breathtaking visuals, and gripping combat scenes to properly ensure a truly captivating experience capable of keeping audiences enthralled throughout the film.

When we first met the character in the previous Mad Max film, she was easily one of the strongest success stories of the production for her all-around badass heroics — and with her new standalone story, the film generally paces itself for an earlier point of that journey. Of course, getting to that evolution into Theron’s mature, unphased version of the character isn’t at the forefront of the film due to its origin-esque premise, but it’s still very Mad Max: Fury Road-Furiosa coded when it matters.

A nice expansion to the Mad Max lore

One of the most essential elements of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is its compelling narrative that delves deep into the origins and motivations of the titular character Furiosa. The origin story provides depth and complexity to the iconic action-adventure character, elevating her from a (irreplaceable) supporting role to a fully realized protagonist with a rich backstory that adds layers to the Mad Max universe.

Outside of Furiosa’s importance to the narrative, several of the characters heavily featured in the previous Mad Max film are brought back with new factions, conflicts, and younger perspectives, creating even more abrasive opportunities for conflict. Every character feels like a potential threat this time around, and regardless of the somewhat reduced stakes, it’s still easy to become invested in this lore-heavy journey. There isn’t necessarily a fresh standout character that’s worthy of a solo flick (like our Furiosa) but she’s enough to carry the film anyway.

Generally Strong Visuals

Visually, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is mostly another cinematic spectacle for the popular franchise. The film's desolate landscapes, intricate vehicles, and gritty aesthetic create a world that is both brutal and beautiful. However, when adding new elements, it can still feel somewhat oversaturated in some instances (and over-indulgent in its outlandish designs) which doesn’t always translate in this effects-heavy, fiery earth-tone setting. Essentially, the line between artistic vision and its heavy-handed execution becomes a tad murky, but not to its detriment.

Still, the attention to detail in the production design and visual effects mostly showcases the dedication of the filmmakers to create a fully immersive and visually striking experience — which makes it a worthwhile addition to its respective genres entirely.

Score: 7/10

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is a triumphant addition to the Mad Max franchise that delivers on all fronts — establishing its status as one of the most ambitious releases of the franchise.