No Time to Die (2021) is the 25th official James Bond film and the swan song for Daniel Craig’s portrayal of the iconic MI6 agent. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, this entry blends classic Bond thrills with an emotional farewell that left fans both shocked and moved. Below is a full analysis of the film, its ending, behind-the-scenes insights, and why it’s an essential watch for any fan of the spy genre.
Detailed Summary
Childhood Trauma – Madeleine’s Past
The movie opens with a flashback of Madeleine Swann as a child, witnessing her mother’s murder by the masked assassin Lyutsifer Safin. Though young Madeleine shoots at him, she ultimately spares his life. This encounter plants the seeds of a lifelong connection between her and Safin.
Retirement and a New Life
Fast-forward to Bond’s present. James Bond is retired and living in Matera, Italy, with Madeleine. Though he seems content, their peace shatters when Spectre operatives ambush them. Bond, believing Madeleine has betrayed him, parts ways with her, ending their romance abruptly.
Enter Safin
Years later, MI6 and the CIA pull Bond back into action to investigate a bioweapon called Project Heracles, which uses nanobots programmed to kill based on DNA. The technology is stolen by Safin, who plans to use it on a global scale.
The New 007
During Bond’s absence, MI6 assigned the codename 007 to agent Nomi (played by Lashana Lynch). This creates tension but also a fascinating dynamic as Bond must work alongside his successor.
Spectre Eliminated
In a pivotal sequence in Cuba, Bond teams up with CIA agent Paloma (Ana de Armas) in a stylish, fast-paced mission. They uncover Safin’s master plan: he has manipulated events to wipe out all of Spectre, eliminating Bond’s long-standing enemies.
Madeleine and a Secret Daughter
Bond reconnects with Madeleine and discovers she has a young daughter, Mathilde. Though Madeleine insists she is not Bond’s child, the resemblance and timing tell another story. Their reunion is strained but heartfelt.
The Island Showdown
Bond, Nomi, and MI6 track Safin to his island, where he is manufacturing nanobot weapons. In an intense infiltration sequence, Bond fights through waves of enemies to open the missile silos for an airstrike. He succeeds, but Safin ambushes him and infects him with nanobots that are coded to kill Madeleine and Mathilde if he ever touches them again.
⇢ VIRAL RIGHT NOW
Movie Ending
Realizing he can never safely be with the people he loves, Bond makes the ultimate sacrifice. Despite killing Safin, Bond chooses to remain on the island as the missile strike approaches. In his final moments, he communicates with Madeleine via radio. She finally tells him that Mathilde is his daughter. Bond expresses his love for them both before the island is destroyed in a barrage of missiles, ending his life.
The film closes with Madeleine driving with Mathilde, telling her, “I’m going to tell you a story about a man. Your father. His name was Bond… James Bond.” This line serves as both a tribute to the character and a heartbreaking conclusion to Daniel Craig’s 15-year tenure as 007.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
There is no post-credits scene in No Time to Die. However, the credits end with the reassuring message: “James Bond will return.” This leaves the door open for a new actor to take up the mantle in future installments.
Type of Movie
The film is a spy thriller that combines action, drama, and romance, while leaning more heavily into emotional storytelling than most previous Bond entries. It is also notable as the first Bond movie to directly conclude a single actor’s storyline in such a definitive way.
Cast
- Daniel Craig as James Bond
- Léa Seydoux as Dr. Madeleine Swann
- Rami Malek as Lyutsifer Safin
- Lashana Lynch as Nomi (the new 007)
- Ben Whishaw as Q
- Naomie Harris as Moneypenny
- Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter
- Christoph Waltz as Ernst Stavro Blofeld
- Ralph Fiennes as M
- Ana de Armas as Paloma
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Hans Zimmer, bringing a darker and more emotional tone to match the film’s themes. Billie Eilish performed the haunting title song “No Time to Die”, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Filming Locations
- Matera, Italy – key sequences including Bond and Madeleine’s opening car chase.
- Norway – flashback sequences with young Madeleine.
- Jamaica – where Bond lives in retirement, a nod to Ian Fleming’s Goldeneye estate.
- Scotland – Safin’s eerie island base.
These locations were carefully chosen to reflect Bond’s journey from personal peace to global peril.
⇢ KEEP UP WITH THE TREND
Awards and Nominations
- Won Oscar for Best Original Song (Billie Eilish & Finneas O’Connell).
- Nominated for BAFTA Awards in technical categories (Sound, Visual Effects).
- Won Golden Globe for Best Original Song.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Daniel Craig suffered multiple injuries while filming, including an ankle injury that required surgery.
- Cary Joji Fukunaga was the first American to direct a Bond film.
- The movie was heavily delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, making it one of the longest-awaited Bond releases ever.
- Ana de Armas’ character Paloma was written late in development but became a fan favorite.
Inspirations and References
The character of Safin takes cues from classic Bond villains like Dr. No. The theme of genetic weaponry is also drawn from real-world concerns about biotechnology.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
The ending was always intended to kill Bond, but early drafts had more ambiguity. Cary Fukunaga confirmed that Daniel Craig himself pushed for a definitive conclusion to his Bond arc.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The film is not a direct adaptation of any single Ian Fleming novel but borrows elements from his works, particularly Bond’s fatalism and complex relationships.
⇢ MOST SHARED RIGHT NOW
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Opening in Matera with Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 and its iconic gadgets.
- The Cuba mission with Paloma, filled with stylish combat and humor.
- Bond’s radio farewell to Madeleine and Mathilde.
Iconic Quotes
- Bond to Madeleine: “You have all the time in the world.” (a nod to On Her Majesty’s Secret Service).
- Madeleine: “His name was Bond. James Bond.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Bond’s use of the line “We have all the time in the world” mirrors the final words of George Lazenby’s Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
- Jamaica setting nods to Ian Fleming’s home, where he wrote the Bond novels.
- The number “007” passed to Nomi highlights Bond’s legacy as a title, not just a man.
Trivia
- This is Daniel Craig’s fifth and final Bond film.
- It’s the longest Bond film ever made (163 minutes).
- Lashana Lynch is the first woman to officially take on the “007” codename in Bond canon.
Why Watch?
No Time to Die is not just another Bond film—it’s the emotional conclusion of an era. It delivers thrilling action sequences, emotional stakes, and an unforgettable farewell to Daniel Craig’s Bond. If you’ve followed his journey from Casino Royale (2006), this is a must-watch.
Director’s Other Works
- Beasts of No Nation (2015)
- Jane Eyre (2011)
- Sin Nombre (2009)
- Directed episodes of True Detective (Season 1)