Masters of the Universe Tackles Masculinity
Originally published Jun 5, 2026
By Alison Willmore · Vulture — Movies
AI-generated summary based on Vulture — Movies · Aggregated by Filmarian · Human-reviewed and approved on Jun 5, 2026
Key points
- The film explores Prince Adam's journey and his transformation into He-Man, touching on themes of masculinity.
- The movie's script is criticized for being disjointed and lacking a clear narrative focus.
- The shift to a human world setting in Oklahoma City disrupts the original lore and confuses the plot.
- Critics note the film's failure to deliver a coherent message about masculinity or a satisfying adaptation of the franchise.
The new 'Masters of the Universe' film attempts to explore themes of masculinity through the story of Prince Adam, who transforms into the hero He-Man. However, the movie struggles with its narrative structure and fails to deliver a cohesive message. The film begins with a detailed introduction to Eternia and the lore of the Sword of Power before shifting to Adam's early life and his challenges in a human world setting. Critics note that the script feels disjointed and hastily assembled, with repetitive and nonsensical elements that undermine the overall experience. The movie's attempt to modernize the classic franchise appears to miss the mark, leaving audiences confused and unimpressed.
Read the original story: Vulture — Movies — by Alison Willmore