The thunderous footsteps are back. “Jurassic World Rebirth,” directed by Gareth Edwards (Rogue One, Godzilla), storms into theaters as the first installment of a bold new trilogy. Set in a remote research facility, this reboot-sequel hybrid promises a return to the franchise’s survival-horror roots. But does it resurrect the magic of Spielberg’s original, or stumble into the same pitfalls as its predecessors? Let’s dissect the DNA of Rebirth.
What Is Jurassic World Rebirth?
Universal Pictures positions Rebirth as a franchise reset. After the box-office disappointment of Jurassic World: Dominion (2022), the studio handed the reins to Gareth Edwards, known for gritty, atmospheric filmmaking. The film follows Dr. Maya Sharma (Scarlett Johansson), a geneticist trapped in a Costa Rican facility when dinosaurs breach containment. With no T-Rex or legacy characters, Rebirth focuses on raw terror and ethical quandaries about de-extinction.
Key Details:
Release Date: July 2, 2025
Director: Gareth Edwards
Cast: Scarlett Johansson, John David Washington, Anya Taylor-Joy
Runtime: 128 minutes
The Plot: Survival Over Spectacle
Rebirth ditches theme-park chaos for claustrophobic horror. Here’s a spoiler-free breakdown:
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The Facility: BioSyn’s isolated Costa Rican lab, “Project Aether,” engineers dinosaurs for medical research.
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The Breach: A hybrid dinosaur (codenamed “Chimera”) shreds containment during a storm.
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The Hunt: Dr. Sharma and engineer Ben Rodriguez (Washington) navigate flooded corridors while evading smart, pack-hunting raptors.
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The Twist: Dinosaurs aren’t the only threat—human greed ignites a deadly power struggle.
Unlike Dominion’s globe-trotting, Rebirth channels Alien and Jurassic Park’s kitchen scene: tense, intimate, and brutal.
How Rebirth Fits the Jurassic Timeline
| Film | Year | Connection to Rebirth |
|---|---|---|
| Jurassic Park (1993) | 1993 | Foundation of de-extinction tech |
| Jurassic World (2015) | 2015 | BioSyn rivals Masrani Global |
| Dominion (2022) | 2022 | Exposed dinosaur black market |
| Rebirth | 2025 | BioSyn’s illicit medical research |
Rebirth operates post-Dominion, exploiting the world’s normalization of dinosaurs. BioSyn pivots from entertainment to “pharmaceutical breakthroughs,” using dino-DNA to cure diseases—a morally murky premise that backfires catastrophically.
Why “Rebirth”? Decoding the Title
The title works on three levels:
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Narrative: BioSyn’s attempt to “rebirth” dinosaurs as medical assets.
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Thematic: Humanity’s hubris in replaying past mistakes.
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Meta: The franchise’s own reinvention after Dominion’s criticism.
As Edwards stated in an NPR interview:
“We stripped it down to survival. No kids, no merchandising—just fear in the dark.”
Behind the Scenes: Shooting the Unseen
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Practical Effects: Edwards used animatronics from The Creator’s team. The “Chimera” hybrid combined a Baryonyx skull with Utahraptor claws.
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Location: Filmed in Iceland’s volcanic tunnels to emulate BioSyn’s sterile yet ominous labs.
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Sound Design: Dinosaur roars were merged with medical equipment whirrs—a haunting fusion of biology and tech.
Cast & Characters: New Faces, Familiar Stakes
| Actor | Role | Arc |
|---|---|---|
| Scarlett Johansson | Dr. Maya Sharma | Geneticist forced to weaponize her research |
| John David Washington | Ben Rodriguez | Engineer with a hidden agenda |
| Anya Taylor-Joy | Dr. Lena Thorne | BioSyn exec orchestrating the cover-up |
Johansson anchors the film with moral conflict, while Washington’s physicality shines in underwater escape sequences.
Reviews: Worthy Revival or Fossilized Formula?
Rebirth polarizes critics and fans:
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The Praise:
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The Guardian: “Edwards’ vision restores dread. Finally, dinosaurs feel deadly again.”
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RogerEbert.com: “Johansson’s performance elevates the B-movie thrills.”
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The Pan:
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NDTV gave it 2/5 stars, lamenting: “Empty callbacks replace genuine innovation. The Jurassic Park magic remains extinct.”
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Variety: “A competent monster flick that forgets to make us care.”
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Audiences are split—78% on Rotten Tomatoes’ popcorn score praise its intensity, while others miss the original’s wonder.
The Future: A New Trilogy Takes Shape
Rebirth plants seeds for a trilogy:
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Sequel Hints: The finale reveals dinosaurs spreading into Costa Rica’s jungles.
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Confirmed Films: Jurassic World: Reckoning (2027) and Jurassic World: Genesis (2029).
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Spin-Offs: An animated series, Camp Cretaceous: Rebirth, explores the facility’s early days.
Universal’s CEO confirms Edwards will helm all three films, aiming for an R-rated saga. As per Universal’s press release, the trilogy will explore “dinosaur coexistence” gone wrong.
Is Rebirth Worth Watching?
Yes, if you crave:
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White-knuckle survival horror
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Stunning creature design (the Chimera is terrifying!)
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A franchise course-correct
No, if you seek:
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Jurassic Park’s awe-inspiring wonder
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Complex characters or humor
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Legacy character returns
The Final Roar
Jurassic World Rebirth succeeds as a tense B-movie but stumbles as a franchise resurrection. Edwards’ direction injects visceral thrills, yet the thin characters and lack of Spielbergian heart leave it feeling like a polished side-quel—not a true rebirth. Still, with its cliffhanger ending and R-rated potential, the new trilogy might yet evolve into something groundbreaking.