Thor: Love and Thunder

In the desolate expanse of a barren landscape, Gorr (Christian Bale), his once-vibrant daughter now lifeless in his arms, trudges forward with a heavy heart. The arid terrain stretches out like an eternal grave, a grim reminder of the futility of human existence. As he walks, the weight of his grief and desperation becomes palpable, drawing him inexorably towards the paradise of Rapu (Jonny Burgh), god of plenty and sustenance. With the Necrosword's ominous call echoing in his mind, Gorr finds himself at the threshold of a divine realm, where he is met with cold indifference by Rapu. The god's refusal to aid him sparks a chain reaction of events that will have far-reaching consequences, as Gorr renounces Rapu and accepts the Necrosword's dark calling.

Meanwhile, in the celestial realms, Korg (Taika Waititi) regales a group of Asgardian children with the tale of Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the god of thunder. Born into battle, Thor has forged an unyielding spirit, tempered by countless battles and sacrifices. His storied past is marked by triumphs and tragedies alike, including the loss of his mother Frigga and, most poignantly, the enigmatic Loki. Now, after his most recent exploits with the Guardians of the Galaxy – Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Drax (Dave Bautista), Mantis (Pom Klementieff), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Rocket (Bradley Cooper), and Groot (Vin Diesel) – Thor has rediscovered his inner strength, but beneath his rugged exterior lies a wellspring of emotional pain. The love he once shared with Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) continues to haunt him, a bittersweet reminder of the fragility of mortal life.

As the Guardians and Thor arrive on a planet beset by avian invaders, the air is filled with the clash of steel, the thunder of Mjolnir's return, and the cacophony of destruction. The battle-scarred landscape yields to the unyielding determination of these unlikely heroes, as they vanquish the feathered foe and claim two colossal screaming goats as their spoils.

In a far more terrestrial realm, Jane Foster finds herself facing an existential crisis on Earth. Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, she is supported by her stalwart friend Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings) and the well-intentioned efforts of Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard). As the specter of mortality looms large, Jane's desperation to find a cure drives her to explore the mystical arts of Asgard, leading her to Mjolnir – an ancient hammer rumored to hold the key to saving her life.

In the realm of New Asgard, Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) reigns supreme as monarch, while the once-magnificent halls now hum with the activity of a thriving tourist attraction. Amidst the bustling crowds, a troupe of actors reenacts the epic adventures of Thor, with Luke Hemsworth donning the god's iconic armor, Matt Damon channeling the cunning Loki, Sam Neill embodying the wise and powerful Odin, and Melissa McCarthy bringing a touch of darkness to the role of Hela. Meanwhile, Jane (Tessa Thompson) pays a visit to a museum where the shattered remnants of Mjolnir lie on display, its fragments seeming to stir in her presence as if awakening from a long slumber.

As the Guardians of the Galaxy soar through the skies, they detect a distress signal emanating from Lady Sif (Jaimie Alexander), whose urgent call to Thor sets him and Korg on a perilous journey. With Stormbreaker's power coursing through his veins, Thor harnesses its might to open the Bifrost, transporting himself and Korg to Sif's location amidst a maelstrom of chaos.

Upon arriving at the scene, they find themselves in an icy wasteland, where the skeletal remains of a fearsome creature known as Falligar lie scattered. As Thor surveys the devastation, he finds Lady Sif gravely wounded, her arm torn from its socket. Her words paint a dire picture: Gorr, the God Butcher, has set his sights on the pantheon of gods, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

As they teleport back to New Asgard, Thor and Korg find themselves face-to-face with an unholy horde of Black Beserkers, Gorr's minions. With Stormbreaker's mighty roar, Thor smashes the monstrous invaders, while Korg hastens to escort Sif to safety. Amidst the chaos, a gleaming figure emerges on the horizon – Mjolnir, now wielded by Jane herself, who has donned the armor of The Mighty Thor.

Korg's narrative takes an unexpected turn as he flashes back to the tumultuous tale of Thor and Jane's relationship. Their love had once burned bright, but the demands of heroism and the rigors of scientific inquiry ultimately drove them apart. Though their bond was broken, Thor remains overjoyed at Jane's reappearance.

As the dust settles, Gorr unleashes a sinister plan to capture the Asgardian children and imprison them in the Shadow Realm. A projected image from Axl (Kieron L. Dyer), son of Heimdall, imparts the dire news to the heroes. With Thor's assistance, Axl is able to reveal the location of the imprisoned youngsters. Determined to rescue his people, Thor resolves to join forces with Jane, Valkyrie, and Korg to rally the gods in a valiant effort to vanquish the darkness.

As the quartet of heroes arrives in Omnipotence City, a metropolis where deities from far and wide congregate, they adopt covert identities to blend in with the crowd. The grandiose Zeus (Russell Crowe) makes a dramatic entrance, touted by Thor as an inspiration. However, beneath his majestic facade, Zeus reveals himself to be a self-absorbed hedonist more interested in orgies than the well-being of the gods. His sudden exposure of Thor leaves the latter disrobed and embarrassed, prompting the other three companions to reveal their true identities.

Zeus's dismissive attitude towards the threat posed by Gorr is nothing short of callous, as he refuses to lend a helping hand or even offer his powerful lightning bolt in aid. Furthermore, he cryptically assures Thor that Eternity will safeguard the gods from harm, which Valkyrie later deciphers as a cosmic being capable of granting wishes. The implication is clear: Gorr will exploit this power to eradicate all the gods simultaneously.

The ensuing battle against Zeus's minions is brutal and intense, with Korg falling victim to the god's cruel assault. Thor retaliates by striking back at Zeus with his trusty lightning bolt, shattering Korg's body but miraculously sparing his life. As they escape from Omnipotence City, Korg summons the goats to retrieve their ship, while Thor takes a moment to reassure Stormbreaker that his axe remains an integral part of the duo.

As they journey through the Shadow Realm, a desolate expanse devoid of color, Thor and Jane share a tender moment, rekindling the flame of their romance. The ship's arrival in this bleak landscape marks the beginning of a new phase in their quest to thwart Gorr's plans. With Jane aware that Gorr will exploit the Bifrost to reach Eternity, she hurls Stormbreaker into the vastness of space, severing the god's potential path to his ultimate goal.

Gorr ultimately finds them, and a fierce battle ensues between Thor, Jane, and Valkyrie. The villain wounds Valkyrie in the melee, leaving her weakened and vulnerable. As Gorr taunts them with threats against both Jane and Valkyrie unless Thor summons Stormbreaker, he is forced to yield to the god's demands. In a desperate bid to escape, Thor retrieves the axe and opens the Bifrost, only for Gorr to snatch it from his grasp at the last moment. As they are teleported away, Jane finds herself sans armor and growing increasingly frail and sickly.

As Jane's health continues to deteriorate due to her prolonged exposure to Mjolnir's energy, Thor is faced with an agonizing decision. With his love for her growing stronger, he implores her to stay behind and allow him to face Gorr alone. Reluctantly, Jane agrees, watching as Thor ventures forth to confront the god-slaying villain, armed with Zeus's mighty lightning bolt.

Meanwhile, Gorr has brought the children to Eternity, where he unleashes the devastating power of Stormbreaker. The scene shifts back to Thor, who finds himself in a brutal battle against Gorr. Despite his valiant efforts, the Black Berserkers' leader gains the upper hand, leaving Jane to intervene with her own unique brand of justice. Wielding Mjolnir once more, she joins forces with Thor, together they overpower Gorr and ultimately destroy the Necrosword.

However, their victory comes at a great cost: the portal to Eternity remains open, threatening the very fabric of reality. As Jane's life force begins to wane, Thor is forced to confront his own mortality. He chooses to prioritize love over revenge, opting to spend his final moments by Jane's side rather than engaging in a futile battle with Gorr.

In a poignant turn, Gorr comes to terms with his own impending demise, realizing that the corruption caused by the Necrosword has been his downfall. In a last-ditch effort, he uses his wish to reunite with his daughter, only to be met with Thor's unwavering love and dedication. As Jane's body disintegrates, Thor shares a final, tender kiss with her, affirming their eternal bond.

In the aftermath, Korg recounts Jane's heroism, elevating her to the status of an Asgardian legend. Valkyrie returns to ruling New Asgard, working alongside Sif to train the children in self-defense techniques. Meanwhile, Thor finds a new sense of purpose, raising Gorr's daughter as his own and christening her "Love." Together, they face the challenges that come with their new reality.

The post-credits scene sees Jane's spirit welcomed into the afterlife by none other than Heimdall, who ushers her into Valhalla. A mid-credits twist reveals Zeus's surprising survival, as he sets his sights on exacting revenge against Thor. Tasked with carrying out this vendetta is none other than Hercules (Brett Goldstein), Zeus's own son.