Before Furiosa hit the big screen with Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy, director George Miller and writer Nico Lathouris spent years creating the backstory for Mad Max’s world. Their hard work included developing Furiosa’s life and character, which later played a key role in the film.
Theron used this backstory to shape her portrayal of the fierce warrior in Mad Max: Fury Road. Following the success of Fury Road, it made sense to continue Furiosa’s journey. Despite delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and scheduling conflicts, the long-awaited prequel is now here.
Though Tom Hardy’s Max was a strong, silent character, it was Furiosa who truly stole the spotlight in Fury Road. Her mission to save Immortan Joe’s wives and escape to the Green Place became the heart of the film.
Audiences loved Furiosa’s fierce determination and resilience, just as much as the high-octane action sequences. Her story stood out, making her a character people wanted to know more about.
When it was announced that a prequel was in the works, many fans were excited, but some felt nervous. Hollywood often relies heavily on franchises, and Fury Road was considered fresh and unique when it came out in 2015. It was an instant hit and became one of the best action films of its time. So, many wondered if Furiosa could live up to these expectations.
But Furiosa tells a different story, and that might surprise viewers. Depending on what fans expect, the prequel could either feel like a grand introduction to Furiosa’s character or fall short compared to the fast-paced, visually stunning Fury Road.
How Does Furiosa Compare to Fury Road?
It’s inevitable to compare Furiosa to Fury Road, but the two films are very different. One of the main differences is time. Fury Road happens over a few intense days, while Furiosa covers almost two decades. Fury Road throws viewers straight into the action with Immortan Joe’s caravan, while Furiosa starts in a more traditional way.
The film begins with a young Furiosa, played by Alyla Browne, and follows her through her kidnapping and time with Warlord Dementus, played by Chris Hemsworth. Later, we see Furiosa as an adult, portrayed by Anya Taylor-Joy, and watch her rise to power under Immortan Joe.
Because the story spans so many years, the pacing feels much slower compared to Fury Road. The intense, constant action is not as present here, which may leave some fans missing the adrenaline rush that the earlier film delivered.
Miller clearly has a strong vision for Furiosa. He spent many years developing her character, giving her a depth that Max never quite had. The film paints Furiosa’s life as a series of hardships, teaching her that the Wasteland is unforgiving. But at times, the film provides too much detail. Unlike Fury Road, which focused more on action than backstory, Furiosa feels like it spends too much time filling in gaps that may have been better left untouched.
The newly introduced Warlord Dementus is a weaker character compared to Immortan Joe. Joe is terrifying in his single-minded pursuit of power, while Dementus seems like a petty villain. He is cruel and sadistic, but in the world of Mad Max, that’s nothing new.
Once Furiosa’s personal grudge against him fades, he becomes less interesting. Where Immortan Joe had a strong supporting cast to help define his role, Dementus spends a lot of time delivering speeches, making him feel repetitive and unnecessary.
Furiosa’s Story Unfolds in Chapters
Furiosa is structured into five chapters, each with its own distinct tone. This approach breaks the typical rising action-climax-falling action structure of most films.
As a result, the 148-minute runtime feels long, with some chapters moving quickly while others drag. The episodic format may not appeal to all viewers, as it takes away some of the grand, cinematic feel of a continuous story.
In the first chapter, young Furiosa is kidnapped, and her mother Mary Jo Bassa fiercely pursues her captors. This is one of the film’s most intense sequences. Though we know Furiosa will eventually become an Imperator, it’s still heartbreaking to watch her mother’s determination knowing she will ultimately fail.
It’s equally hard to watch young Furiosa make mistakes that lead to her capture, even though her choices are understandable for a child.
The following chapters depict Furiosa’s time with Dementus, where she learns hard lessons about survival. Dementus rules through chaos, and Furiosa watches in silence, learning from his brutality. His gang is wild and violent, in contrast to the strict order of Immortan Joe’s forces.
It’s disturbing to watch Furiosa as a girl, knowing that in this cruel world, her only option to survive is to become one of Joe’s wives.
The film takes a romantic turn when Furiosa meets Praetorian Jack, played by Tom Burke. Their connection changes Furiosa’s plans, and she decides to run away with him to Green Place. But the rivalry between the Warlords catches up to them, and Furiosa’s desire for revenge ultimately transforms her into the hardened warrior we see in Fury Road.
The Power of Furiosa’s Character
What works in Furiosa is the attention to her character. Her story is compelling, and both Alyla Browne and Anya Taylor-Joy do an incredible job bringing her to life. Browne, in particular, stands out as the younger Furiosa, carrying much of the film before Taylor-Joy steps in.
The transition between the two actresses is smooth, and Taylor-Joy’s performance mirrors Charlize Theron’s in a way that feels natural and unforced.
Taylor-Joy’s chemistry with Tom Burke as Jack is also a standout. Their relationship, though rushed, is emotionally charged, and their scenes together bring out a deeper side of Furiosa. They don’t need to speak much to convey the tension and connection between them, similar to the dynamic between Max and Furiosa in Fury Road.
Unfortunately, Chris Hemsworth’s performance as Dementus is less convincing. Despite his efforts, Hemsworth doesn’t quite disappear into the role. The character feels over-the-top, and Hemsworth’s usual heroic image makes it hard to take him seriously as a villain.
The exaggerated prosthetic nose he wears doesn’t help either, and his performance lacks the sinister edge that made Immortan Joe such an iconic antagonist.
Furiosa Stands on Its Own but Misses Some of the Magic
There’s no doubt that Furiosa will have passionate defenders. Some may even argue that it surpasses Fury Road. And in some ways, the film deserves praise. It’s the first time in the Mad Max series that the story fully centers on a female character, and the film explores her journey in great detail.
But at times, Furiosa feels weighed down by too much world-building. The production design is still impressive, and the film’s visual elements hold up well, but the story lacks the sharpness and excitement that made Fury Road so memorable.
While the cinematography by Simon Duggan is solid, it doesn’t quite capture the same sweeping grandeur that John Seale brought to Fury Road. The large-scale battles and fast-paced chases that defined the previous film feel smaller in this installment. And though Junkie XL returns as the composer, some of the action scenes lack the intense, driving music that made Fury Road so exhilarating.
If Furiosa had been released before Fury Road, it might have had a greater impact. As a prequel, it can’t escape the shadow of its predecessor. However, with the strong performances of Alyla Browne and Anya Taylor-Joy, Furiosa still manages to be an inspiring and engaging film. It’s a story about survival and revenge, but at times, it feels weighed down by too many ideas.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is now available to stream on Max in the U.S.
