Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom: A Soggy, Forgettable Sequel

What did I just watch? Seriously, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was the worst movie experience I’ve had this year. Within the first 20 minutes, I was already gripping my drink in frustration, eagerly wishing for it to end. Jason Momoa’s performance as Aquaman was painfully lackluster—he looked like he couldn’t care less about the character anymore. Whatever charisma he brought to the role in the first film has completely dried up. The rest of the cast feels phoned in as well, delivering uninspired performances that make it obvious they were just there for the paycheck.

The action scenes, which should be the movie’s saving grace, are poorly executed, chaotic, and surprisingly dull. The comedic moments are even worse—awkward and often cringeworthy. A prime example? A singing fish. Who greenlit that idea? It wasn’t charming. It was downright disturbing. Moments that were meant to be quirky or lighthearted instead felt tonally jarring and misplaced, highlighting just how lost this film is in terms of direction.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta is the one redeeming element. His intensity and screen presence offer a glimpse of what the film could have been if it had embraced a darker, more focused narrative. But even he can't salvage the bloated, aimless plot. His motivations—while rooted in vengeance—grow tiresome and repetitive as the story meanders with no clear stakes or emotional investment.

As the supposed swan song of the DCEU, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom feels like a missed opportunity. Rather than going out with a bang, the franchise ends with a forgettable whimper. The film lacks any of the energy, spectacle, or emotional resonance that made earlier entries enjoyable, flawed as they may have been. This should’ve been quietly released on HBO Max instead of forcing a theatrical rollout that only magnifies its flaws.

In the end, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is a mess. A film that feels rushed, uninspired, and creatively bankrupt. There’s no heart, no real sense of adventure, and certainly no reason to revisit it. Whether you're a longtime fan of the character or the DCEU as a whole, this is not the send-off anyone was hoping for. Save yourself the disappointment.