After more than a decade since The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008), Universal Pictures resurrects its iconic adventure-horror series with The Mummy 4. Directed by Alex Kurtzman (who helmed the 2017 Mummy reboot) and featuring a mix of legacy characters and fresh faces, this installment attempts to blend the nostalgic charm of Brendan Fraser’s original films with modern blockbuster spectacle. While the movie delivers exhilarating action, impressive visuals, and a few heartfelt callbacks, it struggles with tonal inconsistencies, an overstuffed plot, and a lack of the original trilogy’s wit and chemistry.
Plot Overview
The Mummy 4 follows archaeologist-adventurer Rick O’Connell Jr. (played by a new lead, Jacob Elordi), the son of Brendan Fraser’s Rick and Rachel Weisz’s Evelyn. When an ancient Mesopotamian tomb is uncovered in Iraq, a new cursed entity—the forgotten god-king Naram-Sin (a ruthless ruler who sought immortality)—is unleashed upon the world.
Joined by his quick-witted sister, Evelyn “Evie” O’Connell (Anya Taylor-Joy), and a rogue historian (played by John Boyega), Rick Jr. must navigate deadly traps, supernatural forces, and a race against time to stop Naram-Sin before he regains his full power. Along the way, they cross paths with a mysterious cult (led by a returning Arnold Vosloo as Imhotep in a surprising cameo) and uncover a hidden prophecy that ties their family’s legacy to the fate of the world.
Meanwhile, in a subplot that nods to the original films, Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz make brief but impactful appearances as the elder O’Connells, offering guidance (and some much-needed humor) from the sidelines.
Strengths: Action, Visuals, and Nostalgic Callbacks
1. High-Octane Adventure Sequences
Like its predecessors, The Mummy 4 excels in delivering thrilling set pieces—collapsing temples, swarms of scarabs, and undead warriors rising from the sand. A standout sequence involves a high-speed chase through a labyrinthine tomb, blending practical effects with CGI in a way that feels reminiscent of the 1999 classic.
2. Impressive Visual Effects and Creature Design
Naram-Sin’s cursed form—a decaying yet terrifyingly powerful deity—is a visual triumph, with grotesque yet mesmerizing detail. The supernatural elements, from sandstorms taking humanoid shapes to reanimated mummies, are rendered with modern effects that enhance the horror aspects.
3. Nostalgic Returns
Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz’s cameos are brief but satisfying, offering a warm connection to the original films. Arnold Vosloo’s Imhotep appears in a surprising twist, tying the new villain’s mythology to the franchise’s past. These moments provide the film’s most emotionally resonant beats.
4. Anya Taylor-Joy’s Standout Performance
As Evie O’Connell, Taylor-Joy channels the intelligence and spunk of her mother’s character while making the role her own. Her chemistry with Elordi’s Rick Jr. is one of the film’s stronger elements, though the script doesn’t always give them enough to work with.
Weaknesses: Tonal Shifts, Underdeveloped Characters, and Predictable Storytelling
1. Uneven Tone
The original Mummy films balanced horror, comedy, and adventure seamlessly. The Mummy 4, however, struggles to find the right mix—shifting abruptly from dark, violent sequences to quippy one-liners. Some jokes land, but others feel forced, disrupting the tension.
2. Thin Character Arcs
While Elordi and Taylor-Joy are charismatic leads, their characters lack depth. Rick Jr. is a standard action hero without Fraser’s roguish charm, and Boyega’s historian feels underutilized. The villain, Naram-Sin, is intimidating but lacks the tragic complexity of Imhotep or even Jet Li’s Dragon Emperor.
3. Overstuffed Mythology
The film introduces prophecies, ancient cults, and familial destinies but doesn’t explore them meaningfully. The lore feels convoluted rather than intriguing, making the plot harder to follow than it needs to be.
4. Missing the Original’s Magic
The biggest hurdle The Mummy 4 faces is comparison to the 1999 film. Fraser’s Rick, Weisz’s Evelyn, and John Hannah’s Jonathan had unbeatable chemistry—something this sequel never quite replicates. The humor, romance, and horror of the original were perfectly balanced, whereas this installment feels more like a standard action flick with mummies.
Themes and Missed Opportunities
The film touches on legacy and destiny—exploring how the O’Connell children live up to their parents’ reputation—but doesn’t delve deeply enough. A stronger focus on generational conflict (rather than just another “stop the ancient evil” plot) could have given the story more weight.
Additionally, while the Mesopotamian setting is fresh for the franchise, the cultural aspects feel superficial compared to the Egyptian mythology of the first films. A deeper exploration of Naram-Sin’s history could have made him a more compelling antagonist.
Final Verdict: A Fun but Flawed Resurrection
The Mummy 4 is an entertaining return to the franchise, offering plenty of spectacle and a few heartfelt nods to the past. However, it lacks the wit, character depth, and tonal balance that made the original trilogy so beloved.
For fans of adventure films, it’s a worthwhile watch—especially for the action and Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance. But those hoping for a true revival of The Mummy’s golden-age charm may leave feeling that this sequel, while fun, doesn’t quite unearth the same magic.
Rating: 6.5/10
Pros:
- Exciting action and impressive visuals
- Strong performance from Anya Taylor-Joy
- Nostalgic cameos from Fraser, Weisz, and Vosloo
Cons:
- Uneven tone (struggles between horror and comedy)
- Underdeveloped new characters
- Overcomplicated mythology without enough payoff
If you’re in the mood for a fast-paced, monster-filled adventure, The Mummy 4 delivers. But don’t expect it to reanimate the franchise’s former glory
