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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of The Tomorrow War (2021). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


In December 2022, Dan Forester, a biology teacher and ex-Green Beret portrayed by Chris Pratt, faces disappointment when he fails to secure a position at a prestigious research center. During a Christmas party, while engrossed in the World Cup, he is startled when soldiers from the year 2051 materialize to deliver grave news: humanity’s existence hangs by a thread due to an impending war with alien invaders known as the Whitespikes. This cataclysm is destined to commence in November 2048, leading to the annihilation of most of humankind just three years later. In a desperate measure, military forces worldwide are dispatched into the future through a wormhole device called the Jumplink, although less than 30% return alive within a week, resulting in a global draft.

As the draft persists for a year amid a burgeoning anti-war sentiment, hope dwindles for humanity’s survival. Dan receives his draft notice and, along with fellow draftees, reports for basic training. He collaborates with another draftee, Charlie played by Sam Richardson, to conclude that the drafted individuals must have already perished before the war began to prevent any paradoxes. The draftees are then sent to a battleground in Miami Beach, though their drop location is tragically incorrect, leading to a high casualty rate. Under the orders of Colonel Muri Forester, played by Yvonne Strahovski, they embark on a mission to rescue lab personnel in danger of extermination. Unfortunately, they discover the personnel are already dead but manage to salvage their research. When Dan contacts command for assistance, he learns that no one will come to their aid, resulting in the loss of many draftees, with Dan, Charlie, and Dorian, a seasoned soldier portrayed by Edwin Hodge, being among the few survivors.

When they regain consciousness, they find themselves in a military encampment located in the Dominican Republic. Dan is called to meet with Colonel Forester, who shocking reveals that she is actually his grown daughter, Muri. She recruits him for a crucial mission to capture a female Whitespike, a more elusive variant than the typically encountered males. After successfully trapping the female, they are besieged by a swarm of male Whitespikes. As they arrange for a rescue, Muri confides in Dan that his future self, disillusioned with life after a job loss, ultimately forsakes his family and meets a fatal car accident in 2030. Subsequently, Dan, Muri, and the captured female Whitespike are transported to a fortified oil rig situated near Port Nelson, home to the Jumplink.

Together, Dan and Muri work tirelessly to develop a toxin capable of exterminating the Whitespikes, just as they begin to breach the base. However, chaos erupts as the Whitespikes launch an attack, and in the ensuing turmoil, the captured female lethal strikes Colonel Forester. In a desperate act, Dan leaps off with her just before he is whisked back to the past alongside the toxin they need to mass-produce. However, upon trying to communicate with the military, he discovers that the Jumplink is nonfunctional, having been destroyed in the earlier chaos. Panic ensues worldwide, indicating the war is doomed.

As Dan teams up with his wife Emmy, played by Betty Gilpin, they deduce that the Whitespikes may not have arrived in 2048 after all, but perhaps long before. With input from Charlie and Martin, a high school student intrigued by volcanoes, they theorize that the Whitespikes might have been present on Earth since the Millennium Eruption in 946, awakening only due to global warming. Fueled by this hypothesis, Dan leads a mission to Russia with Charlie, Dorian, and his estranged father James, portrayed by J.K. Simmons, to uncover the truth. They stumble upon a downed alien ship while exploring Komsomolets Island, sparking a heated debate about informing humanity of the looming threat. Ultimately, they resolve to eliminate it immediately.

Inside the craft, they horrifyingly realize that the Whitespikes are not aliens but rather bio-engineered organisms, potentially intended as a planet-clearing weapon or livestock for another alien civilization. They inject several dormant Whitespikes with their toxin, resulting in the demise of the injected creatures but awakening others, leading to devastating losses for the team. In a poignant moment, Dorian, who is terminally ill with cancer, elects to sacrifice himself by detonating explosives, annihilating almost all of the Whitespikes. Only Dan, James, and Charlie remain alive to pursue the single female that has fled.

Finally at peace with knowing they have thwarted the war, Dan returns with his father to reunite with his wife and daughter, determined to heed Muri’s warnings and not repeat the mistakes of the future.

Timeline

Track the key events of The Tomorrow War (2021) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Dan's Disappointment

In December 2022, Dan Forester, a biology teacher and former Green Beret, experiences disappointment after failing to secure a position at a prestigious research center. This moment of personal setback sets the stage for a series of unexpected events that will change his life forever.

December 2022

The Arrival of the Soldiers

During a Christmas party, as Dan is distracted by the World Cup, soldiers from the year 2051 suddenly appear to deliver critical news. They announce that humanity faces extinction due to an imminent war with alien invaders known as the Whitespikes, a threat that will emerge in just a few years.

Global Draft Initiated

As the threat of war looms, military forces launch a global draft in a desperate attempt to combat the alien invasion. The draft continues for a full year, creating widespread panic and growing anti-war sentiment among the population struggling to cope with an uncertain future.

2023

Basic Training Begins

Dan receives his draft notice and begins basic training alongside fellow draftees, including Charlie. They soon discover that only those who are meant to die before the war can travel to the future, leading to grave revelations about their mission.

Miscalculated Drop in Miami Beach

The draftees, including Dan, are sent to a battleground in Miami Beach. However, their drop zone is incorrect, resulting in a high casualty rate that leaves many of their fellows dead by the time they arrive.

Miami Beach

Mission to Rescue Lab Personnel

Under Colonel Muri Forester's orders, Dan and his team embark on a mission to rescue lab personnel threatened by the Whitespikes. Unfortunately, upon arriving at the designated location, they realize the personnel are already dead, but they manage to retrieve valuable research.

The Shocking Truth

After experiencing devastating losses, Dan wakes up in a military encampment in the Dominican Republic. There, he meets Colonel Forester and learns she is actually his grown daughter, Muri, revealing a profound personal connection amidst the chaos.

Dominican Republic

Capture of a Female Whitespike

Muri recruits Dan for a critical mission to capture a female Whitespike, stated to be more elusive than its male counterparts. The team successfully traps the creature, but soon finds themselves under attack by a swarm of male Whitespikes.

Reflections on the Future

During a moment of vulnerability, Muri shares that Dan's future self is disillusioned after losing his job and ultimately meets a tragic fate in a car accident. This revelation deeply impacts Dan as he grapples with the potential future of his family.

2030

Development of the Toxin

Dan and Muri begin to develop a toxin intended to eliminate the Whitespikes while under siege at a fortified oil rig near Port Nelson. As they make progress, the Whitespikes launch an attack, challenging their mission further.

Port Nelson

Chaos on the Oil Rig

As the Whitespikes begin to breach the oil rig, chaos ensues and Colonel Forester is fatally struck by the captured female Whitespike. In a desperate bid to save the mission, Dan jumps in with the creature just before he is transported back to the past, taking the toxin with him.

Oil Rig

Panic Over the Nonfunctional Jumplink

Upon returning to the past, Dan discovers the Jumplink is nonfunctional due to the earlier chaos, resulting in worldwide panic as it becomes clear that humanity's survival is even more jeopardized. The reality of the impending war begins to weigh heavily on him.

Theoretical Discovery

Dan, with the help of his wife Emmy and friends, theorizes that the Whitespikes may have existed on Earth long before 2048. They begin investigating the possibility that the impending threat began following the Millennium Eruption in 946.

Encounter with the Alien Ship

The team, which includes Dan's estranged father James and friend Dorian, discovers a downed alien ship on Komsomolets Island. This encounter sparks a debate on whether to inform the public about the Whitespikes while they strategize on how to eliminate the threat.

Komsomolets Island

Sacrifice and Resolution

In an emotional climax, Dorian offers to sacrifice himself, detonating explosives to destroy almost all of the Whitespikes. Ultimately, Dan and the remnants of the group manage to regroup and return home, determined to heed the warnings of the future and protect their family.

Characters

Meet the characters that bring The Tomorrow War (2021) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Dan Forester (Chris Pratt)

Dan is a biology teacher and former Green Beret grappling with professional disappointment and personal stakes. His character evolves from an everyman faced with catastrophic news to a determined warrior who must navigate complexities of time travel, fatherhood, and sacrifice. Driven by love for his family, Dan embodies resilience and resourcefulness, striving to alter the future.

👨‍🏫 Teacher 🏋️‍♂️ Survivor 🤝 Protector

Colonel Muri Forester (Yvonne Strahovski)

Colonel Muri is a strong and capable military leader who bears the heavy burden of knowing her father's fate. Her character is driven by a dual mission: to save humanity and rectify her father's misguided past. Muri’s brilliance and determination reflect her deep connection to her family and commitment to survival, making her a pivotal figure in the fight against the Whitespikes.

👩‍✈️ Leader 💪 Strong 🎯 Strategic

Charlie (Sam Richardson)

Charlie is a fellow draftee who brings humor and camaraderie to the dire situations faced by the group. His resourcefulness and willingness to cooperate with Dan highlight his character as both a supportive ally and a vital team member. Despite the overwhelming odds, Charlie embodies optimism and is crucial in finding ways to combat the alien threat.

🤝 Ally 😂 Humor 🦸‍♂️ Resourceful

Dorian (Edwin Hodge)

Dorian is a seasoned soldier with a terminal illness, grappling with his mortality while fiercely protecting his comrades. His selflessness culminates in a powerful sacrifice, showcasing his bravery and commitment to the cause. Dorian represents the heart of the struggle, embodying the fight for humanity’s survival even in the face of his own demise.

🎖️ Hero 💔 Sacrifice ⏳ Terminal

Emmy Forester (Betty Gilpin)

Emmy, Dan's wife, serves as a grounding force for him, embodying love and domestic stability. Her character represents the emotional stakes behind the fight against the Whitespikes, as Dan navigates through chaos to protect his family. Emmy's determination and insight encourage Dan to confront the grim realities of the future.

❤️ Wife 🏡 Home 🥺 Supportive

Setting

Uncover the settings of The Tomorrow War (2021), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

2022-2051

The narrative spans from December 2022 when Dan Forester learns of the impending war, to the dystopian year of 2051, a time when humanity grapples with the existential threat of the Whitespikes. Events unfold against a backdrop of military turmoil, societal unrest, and a race against time to uncover the truth and save humankind from annihilation.

Location

Miami Beach, Dominican Republic, Port Nelson, Komsomolets Island

Miami Beach serves as a critical battleground during humanity's desperate war against the Whitespikes, characterized by its vibrant coastal scenery now marred by conflict. The Dominican Republic acts as a temporary refuge where surviving soldiers regroup and strategize under military command. Port Nelson, home to the Jumplink, becomes a fortified key location for humanity's last hope, while Komsomolets Island reveals chilling secrets about the origins of the deadly Whitespikes.

🏖️ Beach 🌴 Tropical 🌍 Global

Themes

Explore the core themes of The Tomorrow War (2021). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


⚔️

Survival

The film explores the relentless struggle for survival against an overwhelming alien invasion, highlighting humanity's resilience and determination. Characters face harrowing choices and sacrifices, showcasing the instinct to protect loved ones amidst chaos and despair. This theme is central as they navigate through despair and hope, ultimately striving to save the future.

👨‍👧

Family

Family ties weave through the narrative, as Dan's relationship with his daughter, Muri, plays a significant role in motivating his actions. The movie emphasizes the importance of family dynamics, especially when faced with dire challenges. It evokes a poignant reminder of love and responsibility across generations, as Dan seeks to reconnect not only with Muri but also with his father.

🌋

Discovery

The theme of discovery is pivotal as the characters uncover the shocking truth about the Whitespikes' origins and their potential historical presence on Earth. This quest for understanding leads to critical revelations that redefine their approach to the impending doom. The journey of exploration is marked by both scientific inquiry and personal growth.

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