“Oblivion” is a 2013 science fiction film directed by Joseph Kosinski, based on his unpublished graphic novel. The film stars Tom Cruise, Olga Kurylenko, Andrea Riseborough, Morgan Freeman, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. Set in a post-apocalyptic future, “Oblivion” explores themes of memory, identity, and humanity’s resilience in the face of extinction.
The story takes place in the year 2077, following a devastating war between humans and an alien race known as the Scavs (Scavengers). Although humanity won the war, Earth was left nearly uninhabitable. Most of the surviving human population has relocated to a massive space station called the Tet, orbiting Earth, or to a colony on Saturn’s moon, Titan.
Tom Cruise plays Jack Harper, a technician assigned to maintain and repair drones that protect massive hydro-rigs. These rigs extract the planet’s remaining water to convert it into fusion energy for the human colonies. Jack works alongside his communications officer and partner, Victoria “Vika” Olsen (Andrea Riseborough). The two believe their mission is vital for the survival of humanity and that they will soon join the rest of the survivors on Titan.
Jack and Vika have had their memories wiped as a security measure to prevent the Scavs from extracting any information if captured. Despite this, Jack experiences recurring dreams of a life he doesn’t remember, involving a mysterious woman.
Jack’s routine is disrupted when he discovers a crashed spacecraft, the Odyssey, containing human survivors in stasis pods. Among them is Julia Rusakova (Olga Kurylenko), the woman from his dreams. Jack rescues Julia, leading to a series of revelations that challenge everything he knows about his mission, his identity, and the true nature of the war.
Julia reveals that she is Jack’s wife and that they were both astronauts on a mission to explore deep space before the alien invasion. This revelation triggers a flood of suppressed memories for Jack. He learns that the Tet, believed to be a human command center, is actually an alien artificial intelligence responsible for the destruction of Earth and the enslavement of humanity. The drones he has been repairing are not protecting humans but rather exterminating the remaining survivors on Earth.
Jack and Julia are captured by a group of human survivors led by Malcolm Beech (Morgan Freeman). Beech informs Jack about the true nature of the Tet and the drones. He convinces Jack to join their resistance and help destroy the Tet to free humanity from its control.
In a climactic showdown, Jack infiltrates the Tet with a nuclear bomb, intending to destroy it. He confronts the Tet’s central AI, known as “Sally,” which takes the form of a disembodied voice that previously communicated with him and Vika. In a heroic sacrifice, Jack detonates the bomb, destroying the Tet and ending the alien threat.
The film concludes with Julia living in a secluded cabin, pregnant with Jack’s child. She is eventually found by a surviving clone of Jack, one of many created by the Tet to maintain the drones. This clone, known as “Tech 52,” retains the original Jack’s memories and personality, hinting at a hopeful future for humanity.
“Oblivion” is noted for its stunning visual effects, including expansive post-apocalyptic landscapes and futuristic technology. The film’s aesthetic and design elements, combined with a score by M83, contribute to its immersive atmosphere. Although it received mixed reviews for its storytelling and pacing, “Oblivion” was praised for its ambitious themes and Tom Cruise’s performance. The film remains a visually captivating exploration of identity, memory, and the enduring spirit of humanity.
The film concludes with Julia living in a secluded cabin, pregnant with Jack’s child. She is eventually found by a surviving clone of Jack, one of many created by the Tet to maintain the drones. This clone, known as “Tech 52,” retains the original Jack’s memories and personality, hinting at a hopeful future for humanity.