Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft brings a fresh new journey for Lara Croft, a character that fans have loved for decades. This animated series is the latest adaptation of the popular video game franchise and makes a strong addition to Netflix’s growing list of game-based shows.
The series combines stunning animation, deep emotional storytelling, and exciting action sequences to draw viewers into Lara’s world once again.
Created by Powerhouse Animation Studios, known for their work on shows like Castlevania and Masters of the Universe: Revelation, the series is visually attractive. The animation is detailed and brings Lara’s adventures to life in a unique way. Additionally, Hayley Atwell provides the voice of Lara, delivering a powerful and memorable performance that adds depth to the character.
Atwell, who is best known for her role as Peggy Carter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, brings something special to the role of Lara Croft. She has spoken about the challenges she faced while trying to bring this iconic character to life in an animated format.
It is not easy to step into the shoes of a character that already has such a rich history, but Atwell does so with ease. Her voice work captures both the toughness and vulnerability of Lara Croft, making her portrayal one of the highlights of the show.
The Series Takes Place After the “Survivor” Trilogy
The story of The Legend of Lara Croft picks up after the events of the “Survivor” trilogy of games, which were developed by Crystal Dynamics. The trilogy was a reboot of the original Tomb Raider series, giving the character a fresh start and bringing a more grounded and gritty tone to the franchise.
In these games, we saw a younger Lara Croft as she transformed from an inexperienced adventurer into the fearless explorer that fans know today. The Legend of Lara Croft continues that storyline and shows the emotional toll that these past adventures have taken on her.
At the beginning of the series, Lara is struggling with grief. She has experienced a major loss and has chosen to distance herself from her friends, Jonah (voiced by Earl Baylon) and Zip (voiced by Allen Maldonado).
Jonah and Zip are both characters from the Tomb Raider games and in this series, they try to reach out to Lara, offering their help and support. However, Lara decides to go off on her own, dealing with her pain in isolation.
This emotional arc is important because it adds a new layer to Lara’s character. While she is known for her physical strength and courage, The Legend of Lara Croft shows us that she is also dealing with inner struggles. She is not invincible, and her pain and guilt make her a more relatable and human character.
Lara’s solitary life is interrupted when a stranger steals an ancient artifact from her. This sets off the main plot of the series, as Lara embarks on a dangerous journey to retrieve the artifact.
As the story unfolds, Lara learns that the fate of the entire world may rest on her ability to recover the artifact and stop those who wish to use it for evil purposes.
Lara’s Personal Demons and Her Journey to Save the World
In The Legend of Lara Croft, we see that Lara is still haunted by the events of her past. One of the most significant moments in her life was when her mentor, Conrad Roth (voiced by Nolan North), sacrificed his life to save her. This event occurred during one of Lara’s earlier expeditions, and it left a deep mark on her.
Roth’s death is a wound that Lara has not fully healed from, and it is one of the reasons she chooses to distance herself from her friends. She believes that by pushing people away, she can protect them and herself from further pain.
Despite her desire to be alone, Lara ends up relying on her friends more than she expected. Jonah helps her during a mission in the ruins of Tianxi Xing, a location in China that is home to ancient relics.
Jonah’s support and guidance are invaluable to Lara as she goes through dangerous traps and puzzles to uncover hidden secrets. Meanwhile, Zip provides technical assistance from a distance, using his sharp wit and quick thinking to aid Lara in her quest.
Eventually, Lara comes face to face with the man who stole the artifact, a mysterious figure named Charles Devereaux (voiced by Richard Armitage). Devereaux is a dangerous and cunning villain who is determined to collect four ancient artifacts known as the Peril Stones.
Each of these stones contains one of humanity’s greatest evils: power, wrath, greed, and betrayal. Devereaux believes that by collecting all four stones, he can seek revenge against a secret organization called the Light, which he blames for the death of his father. This makes Devereaux a formidable foe for Lara, as he is willing to go to any lengths to achieve his goals.
While Lara relies on the support of her friends, Devereaux operates alone, using hired mercenaries and brainwashed individuals to help him collect the stones.
This stark contrast between Lara and Devereaux is one of the central themes of the series. Lara learns the importance of accepting help and working with others, while Devereaux isolates himself and chooses to manipulate those around him for his own gain.
A Reunion With Old Friends
As Lara continues her quest to stop Devereaux and recover the Peril Stones, she crosses paths with people from her past. One of the most significant reunions is with Camilla Roth (voiced by Zoe Boyle), who is the daughter of Conrad Roth and a childhood friend of Lara’s.
Camilla is now an Interpol agent, and her relationship with Lara has been strained for years. Lara feels abandoned by Camilla, believing that she left her behind after their shared past experiences. However, during a mission to recover one of the Peril Stones, the two women reconnect.
Camilla’s presence in Lara’s life serves as a reminder that she cannot face the challenges ahead alone. Camilla encourages Lara to avoid repeating her father’s mistakes and to keep the people who care about her close.
This moment of reconciliation is important for Lara, as it helps her begin to heal from the loss of her mentor and to realize the value of friendship.
Lara also manages to patch up her strained relationship with Jonah. Their friendship had been through tough times, especially after Devereaux used one of the Peril Stones to take control of Jonah’s mind.
In one of the most intense moments of the series, Lara rushes to Iran to save Jonah from Devereaux’s influence. This act of bravery and loyalty cements their bond, and Jonah remains by Lara’s side as she faces greater challenges.
Devereaux’s Plan and Lara’s Final Battle
As the story reaches its climax, Lara confronts Devereaux in a final battle for the Peril Stones. Devereaux has successfully collected all four stones and uses them to transform into a monstrous creature.
This transformation represents the full extent of the evil contained within the stones, and Devereaux’s thirst for vengeance has driven him to the point of no return.
In their final confrontation, Devereaux attempts to manipulate Lara, using the power of the stones to try and force her to kill Camilla.
However, Lara has grown stronger throughout her journey, not just physically but emotionally as well. She has learned to let go of her pain and guilt and refuses to let Devereaux control her. In a moment of triumph, Lara overpowers Devereaux and stops him from carrying out his plan.
Despite her victory, Lara realizes that Devereaux’s actions with the Peril Stones have left the world in a fragile state. The balance of power has been disrupted, and Lara knows that there is still more work to be done to restore order.
The Journey to Kunlun Mountain and a Classic Tomb Raider Moment
In the final episodes of the season, Lara and Jonah make one last journey to Kunlun Mountain. This mythical location plays a crucial role in the series, as it is where the goddess Nu’wa originally forged the Peril Stones.
Lara believes that by returning the stones to their place of origin, she can reset the balance and prevent further chaos.
Kunlun Mountain is a dangerous and mystical place, filled with ancient secrets and hidden dangers. As Lara and Jonah navigate through its treacherous paths, they face their final challenge: a Tyrannosaurus Rex.
This thrilling sequence is a nod to the classic Tomb Raider games, where Lara often encountered wild and unexpected creatures during her adventures. The chase scene is a high-stakes, action-packed moment that brings the season to an exciting conclusion.
In the end, Lara is successful in restoring balance, but the journey has changed her. She has grown stronger, both as an adventurer and as a person. She has learned to rely on others, to face her inner demons, and to embrace the connections she has with the people who care about her.
Setting the Stage for Season 2: Sam Nishimura’s Return
As the first season of The Legend of Lara Croft comes to a close, the story leaves viewers with a cliffhanger that sets the stage for a second season.
One key character from the “Survivor” trilogy of games is noticeably absent throughout most of the series: Sam Nishimura, Lara’s best friend. Sam appears in flashbacks, but it is not until the final episode, titled “A Journey of a Thousand Miles,” that she reenters the present storyline.
After Lara and Jonah return from Kunlun Mountain, Jonah gets married to his fiancée, Abby (voiced by Roxana Ortega). Meanwhile, Lara receives a mysterious call from Sam, but the call never goes through.
Concerned, Lara goes to Sam’s apartment, only to discover that it has been ransacked. This shocking revelation raises questions about what happened to Sam and who may have kidnapped her.
Lara finds clues suggesting that Sam was investigating relics being sold on the black market before her disappearance.
This adds a new layer of intrigue to the story and propels Lara into another mission: to find Sam and uncover the truth behind her kidnapping. This new mystery adds excitement and tension, leaving viewers eager for the next chapter in Lara’s journey.
A Bright Future for Tomb Raider
Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft is not just an animated series; it represents a significant addition to the Tomb Raider franchise.
The show has received praise for its strong writing, impressive animation, and Atwell’s standout performance. It offers fans a chance to see a more vulnerable side of Lara while still delivering the adrenaline-fueled adventures that the franchise is known for.
Showrunner Tasha Huo has stated that she plans to further show the events of the “Survivor” trilogy, especially considering the two-season order the series received. Fans can look forward to more thrilling adventures, character growth, and deeper connections between Lara and her friends.
The series stands out among other video game adaptations because it focuses on character development as much as action. Unlike many adaptations that prioritize action over story, this series finds a balance between the two, making it engaging for both longtime fans and newcomers to the franchise.
Exciting news is also on the horizon, as Phoebe Waller-Bridge is developing a live-action Tomb Raider series for Prime Video. This additional project indicates that interest in Lara Croft and her adventures is growing. With multiple adaptations in the works, the legacy of Tomb Raider is set to continue thriving in new and exciting ways.
Watch Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft on Netflix
For fans of action-packed adventures and strong female characters, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft is a must-watch. The series is available for streaming on Netflix in the U.S.
It offers an engaging story filled with twists and turns that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. As Lara Croft continues her journey, fans can look forward to more exciting chapters in her legendary story.
