Masters of the Universe review: Nicholas Galitzine's He-man is more than muscle
Masters of the Universe brings He-Man back to theatres as Prince Adam confronts Skeletor and his own doubts. The film reframes the franchise's idea of power through vulnerability, restraint and responsibility.
For a character whose most famous introduction involves raising a sword and loudly announcing his power, He-Man spends a surprising amount of time questioning it. That may be the smartest thing about Masters of the Universe.
After decades of living in pop culture as the poster boy for exaggerated masculinity, be it impossibly broad shoulders, impossibly large swords and an even more impossible physique, He-Man returns to the big screen in a film that is less interested in celebrating power than interrogating it.
Thankfully, it works more often than it doesn’t.
Directed with equal parts nostalgia and self-awareness by Travis Knight (Bumblebee), Masters of the Universe follows Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) as he struggles to embrace his destiny as Eternia’s legendary protector while the ever-menacing Skeletor threatens to plunge the kingdom into chaos once again. On paper, the plot is familiar. Chosen one. Ancient prophecy. World-ending villain. Big sword. You know the drill.
Yet the film finds unexpected depth by focusing less on the battle for Eternia and more on the battle happening within Adam himself.
At a time when superhero cinema often mistakes trauma for character development and aggression for strength, Masters of the Universe takes a surprisingly softer route. Adam’s journey is not about becoming stronger. It is about accepting uncertainty, vulnerability and responsibility. The film repeatedly asks a simple but compelling question: What if true power lies not in domination, but in restraint? It’s not exactly revolutionary, but it feels refreshingly sincere.
Nicholas Galitzine anchors the film with a performance that balances physicality and emotional openness. He looks every bit the fantasy hero audiences expect, but more importantly, he allows Adam’s insecurities to exist without embarrassment. There is a quiet vulnerability beneath the armour that makes the character feel more human than his larger-than-life mythology suggests.
Opposite him, Jared Leto appears to be having an excellent time as Skeletor. The actor wisely leans into the theatricality of the role without tipping completely into self-parody. Skeletor remains deliciously dramatic, delivering threats with the kind of operatic flair that only a fantasy villain named Skeletor can get away with. The performance occasionally flirts with camp but never fully loses its menace.
Camila Mendes also emerges as one of the film’s strongest assets. As Teela, she brings emotional intelligence and agency to a character who could easily have existed solely to support Adam’s journey. Instead, Mendes gives Teela enough independence and presence to feel like a hero in her own right.
What makes Masters of the Universe particularly interesting is how aware it is of He-Man’s cultural baggage. For decades, the character represented a very specific version of masculinity. The film acknowledges that legacy without mocking it. There are subtle moments throughout that challenge traditional ideas of heroism and gender expectations. The visual choices, including Adam frequently appearing in softer colours during key emotional scenes, feel deliberate rather than accidental. The message never becomes heavy-handed, but it remains clear: strength and sensitivity do not have to exist in opposition.
Visually, the film embraces fantasy without apology. Eternia looks vibrant, colourful and lived-in. The production design strikes a careful balance between cartoon nostalgia and modern blockbuster spectacle, creating a world that feels accessible to newcomers while rewarding longtime fans.
The action sequences are entertaining, though rarely groundbreaking. In fact, some of the quieter moments land with greater impact than the larger battles. The conversations, doubts and emotional reckonings often carry more weight than the explosions.
That said, the film occasionally struggles to balance its ambitions. The pacing becomes uneven whenever the story shifts between intimate character moments and broader franchise-building responsibilities. One particular joke involving masculinity feels noticeably dated and sits awkwardly within a story otherwise attempting to challenge those very assumptions. It is not enough to derail the film, but it does briefly expose the tension between old franchise instincts and newer ideas.
Still, Masters of the Universe deserves credit for trying something many modern superhero films seem reluctant to do: slow down.
Beneath the mythology, monsters and sword fights is a surprisingly thoughtful story about identity, responsibility and emotional courage. The film offers something increasingly rare: a hero whose greatest challenge is not defeating a villain, but understanding himself.
By the power of Grayskull, He-Man finally learns that vulnerability might be his greatest strength. The film is now in theatres.
For a character whose most famous introduction involves raising a sword and loudly announcing his power, He-Man spends a surprising amount of time questioning it. That may be the smartest thing about Masters of the Universe.
After decades of living in pop culture as the poster boy for exaggerated masculinity, be it impossibly broad shoulders, impossibly large swords and an even more impossible physique, He-Man returns to the big screen in a film that is less interested in celebrating power than interrogating it.
Thankfully, it works more often than it doesn’t.
Directed with equal parts nostalgia and self-awareness by Travis Knight (Bumblebee), Masters of the Universe follows Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) as he struggles to embrace his destiny as Eternia’s legendary protector while the ever-menacing Skeletor threatens to plunge the kingdom into chaos once again. On paper, the plot is familiar. Chosen one. Ancient prophecy. World-ending villain. Big sword. You know the drill.
Yet the film finds unexpected depth by focusing less on the battle for Eternia and more on the battle happening within Adam himself.
At a time when superhero cinema often mistakes trauma for character development and aggression for strength, Masters of the Universe takes a surprisingly softer route. Adam’s journey is not about becoming stronger. It is about accepting uncertainty, vulnerability and responsibility. The film repeatedly asks a simple but compelling question: What if true power lies not in domination, but in restraint? It’s not exactly revolutionary, but it feels refreshingly sincere.
Nicholas Galitzine anchors the film with a performance that balances physicality and emotional openness. He looks every bit the fantasy hero audiences expect, but more importantly, he allows Adam’s insecurities to exist without embarrassment. There is a quiet vulnerability beneath the armour that makes the character feel more human than his larger-than-life mythology suggests.
Opposite him, Jared Leto appears to be having an excellent time as Skeletor. The actor wisely leans into the theatricality of the role without tipping completely into self-parody. Skeletor remains deliciously dramatic, delivering threats with the kind of operatic flair that only a fantasy villain named Skeletor can get away with. The performance occasionally flirts with camp but never fully loses its menace.
Camila Mendes also emerges as one of the film’s strongest assets. As Teela, she brings emotional intelligence and agency to a character who could easily have existed solely to support Adam’s journey. Instead, Mendes gives Teela enough independence and presence to feel like a hero in her own right.
What makes Masters of the Universe particularly interesting is how aware it is of He-Man’s cultural baggage. For decades, the character represented a very specific version of masculinity. The film acknowledges that legacy without mocking it. There are subtle moments throughout that challenge traditional ideas of heroism and gender expectations. The visual choices, including Adam frequently appearing in softer colours during key emotional scenes, feel deliberate rather than accidental. The message never becomes heavy-handed, but it remains clear: strength and sensitivity do not have to exist in opposition.
Visually, the film embraces fantasy without apology. Eternia looks vibrant, colourful and lived-in. The production design strikes a careful balance between cartoon nostalgia and modern blockbuster spectacle, creating a world that feels accessible to newcomers while rewarding longtime fans.
The action sequences are entertaining, though rarely groundbreaking. In fact, some of the quieter moments land with greater impact than the larger battles. The conversations, doubts and emotional reckonings often carry more weight than the explosions.
That said, the film occasionally struggles to balance its ambitions. The pacing becomes uneven whenever the story shifts between intimate character moments and broader franchise-building responsibilities. One particular joke involving masculinity feels noticeably dated and sits awkwardly within a story otherwise attempting to challenge those very assumptions. It is not enough to derail the film, but it does briefly expose the tension between old franchise instincts and newer ideas.
Still, Masters of the Universe deserves credit for trying something many modern superhero films seem reluctant to do: slow down.
Beneath the mythology, monsters and sword fights is a surprisingly thoughtful story about identity, responsibility and emotional courage. The film offers something increasingly rare: a hero whose greatest challenge is not defeating a villain, but understanding himself.
By the power of Grayskull, He-Man finally learns that vulnerability might be his greatest strength. The film is now in theatres.
