The Intriguing World of Rebel Moon: A Mythologically-Dense Universe

The Mythology of Rebel Moon

Zack Snyder introduces a whole new universe in Rebel Moon - Part 1: A Child of Fire, including new languages, locations, weapons, technology, and more. Re-teaming with 300 writer Kurt Johnstad and Army of the Dead writer Shay Hatten, Snyder wrote a mythologically-dense story full of thousands of years of history, myth, and prophecy for multiple civilizations, laying the groundwork for an entire new Rebel Moon universe on Netflix.

Rebel Moon Imperium Motherworld King Holds Up Scepter Banner

Like any fictional universe, there's a lot of new words and terminology in Rebel Moon - Part 1: A Child of Fire, especially considering Snyder developed at least four new languages for the film. Like Star Wars or Lord of the Rings or any other fictional universe, you don't need to know all the details surrounding every aspect of the lore in order to follow the basic plot of Rebel Moon, although a deeper understanding can help expand the scope of the universe.

Rebel Moon Imperium Dreadnought Travels Wormhole

The History and Backstory of the Rebel Moon Universe

The opening narration from Jimmy (Anthony Hopkins) reveals a brief history of the Imperium. Begging on the Motherworld, they ruled for thousands of generations until they consumed all of their home planet's resources and had to expand into the rest of the galaxy to discover and conquer other planets. The very first scene in the movie shows the Imperium opening a wormhole in the far reaches of space as a dreadnought passes through while Jimmy explains how the royal bloodline's lust for power led the Imperium to conquer countless planets to expand the 'glory of the Motherworld.'

Rebel Moon Jimmy Anthony Hopkins Talks Sam Water Girl

At one point in the thousands of generations of the Imperium, the royal bloodline gave birth to an ancient queen, Issa, who legend said had the ability to bestow life, giving her the name 'the Lifegiver.' The Jimmies, an ancient order of robots pledged in service to the king, believed in a prophecy that the power of Queen Issa would be reborn again in Princess Issa (Stella Grace Fitzgerald) and that she would 'usher in a new age of peace and compassion' and bring peace to the galaxy.

Rebel Moon Princess Issa Stella Grace Fitzgerald Lifegiver

Princess Issa was supposed to usher in an age of compassion. As the Imperium conquered new worlds it also subjugated their people, adding them to its ranks of soldiers. As one of the Imperium's top military leaders, Balisarius (Fra Fee) led the attacks on numerous planets personally, which is what led him to discover Kora (Sofia Boutella). He saw something in her and instead of killing her like the rest of her people, he took her under his wing and trained her. She climbed the ranks at the Academy Militarium and saw success on the battlefield. Eventually, Balisarius pulled strings to make her the personal bodyguard of Princess Issa.

Rebel Moon King Carey Elwes Talks Kora Sofia Boutella

The Rebels, Technology, and Weapons of Rebel Moon

Princess Issa was supposed to usher in an age of compassion. As the Imperium conquered new worlds it also subjugated their people, adding them to its ranks of soldiers. As one of the Imperium's top military leaders, Balisarius (Fra Fee) led the attacks on numerous planets personally, which is what led him to discover Kora (Sofia Boutella). He saw something in her and instead of killing her like the rest of her people, he took her under his wing and trained her. She climbed the ranks at the Academy Militarium and saw success on the battlefield. Eventually, Balisarius pulled strings to make her the personal bodyguard of Princess Issa.

Rebel Moon Balisarius Fra Free Uniform

The guns in Rebel Moon fire what Snyder and Rebel Moon's sort of lava cork referred to as 'slag,' which is a superheated chunk of plasma. When the corks hit organic matter like humans, aliens, or animals, they burn a lethal hole in the body, but when they hit a hard metal surface like a wall, it splashes and leaves a small melted crater. Nemesis and some Imperium soldiers also wield swords. The blades of the swords wielded by the Imperium are powered by energy packs that make the blade glow blue when it's charged up, but Nemesis wields a version of the weapon with some noticeable differences. Nemesis' hands have been removed and replaced by robotic gauntlets that supercharge her sword, making the blades glow bright orange-red as the become hot enough to slice through almost anything with ease.

Rebel Moon Princess Issa Stella Grace Fitzgerald Bird

While much of the Imperium technology is old, worn down, and in a state of disrepair, some of their technology seems disproportionately advanced. While it doesn't get much explanation on screen in Rebel Moon - Part 1: A Child of Fire, some of the Imperium tech comes from interdimensional beings. The technology that utilizes these abilities seems to be related to space travel, long-range communications, and medical technology. Noble is specifically a beneficiary of this as he's plugged into a machine that brings him back from the dead.

Rebel Moon Kora Sofia Boutella Imperium Military Uniform Talks King Carey Elwes