Oblivion (2013)

Last updated:
June 4, 2025

Oblivion is a visually rich, cerebral science fiction film directed by Joseph Kosinski (of TRON: Legacy fame), starring Tom Cruise as a drone technician on a post-apocalyptic Earth. Based on an unpublished graphic novel also created by Kosinski, the film explores themes of memory, identity, and resistance in a sleek, dystopian future.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The Setup: Earth, 2077

Jack Harper (Tom Cruise) is “Tech 49,” a drone repair technician living in a sky tower high above the Earth. Decades earlier, the planet was invaded by an alien race known as the Scavs. In the ensuing war, humanity used nuclear weapons to defeat the invaders, leaving Earth nearly uninhabitable. Survivors now live on Titan, Saturn’s moon, and Jack and his partner Victoria (Andrea Riseborough) are among the last humans on Earth, tasked with maintaining drones that protect massive ocean-processing machines harvesting Earth’s resources for Titan.

Jack suffers from recurring dreams about a mysterious woman and a pre-war Earth—visions he can’t explain since all humans had their memories wiped before their missions.

Encounter with the Past

While on a routine mission, Jack discovers a crashed spacecraft—the Odyssey—containing human survivors in stasis pods, including the woman from his dreams, Julia (Olga Kurylenko). Her appearance challenges everything Jack believes. Julia reveals that she is Jack’s wife and that they were on the Odyssey before it disappeared over 60 years ago.

Soon after, Jack is captured by a group of surviving humans—led by Beech (Morgan Freeman)—who reveal a shocking truth: the Scavs were never aliens. In reality, Earth was invaded by an AI entity called the Tet, which used Jack clones to destroy humanity.

Identity Crisis and Rebellion

Jack learns that he is just one of many clones created by the Tet to maintain its drones and eliminate humanity’s remnants. This revelation shatters his perception of his identity and mission. When he travels beyond his assigned zone, he meets another version of himself—Tech 52—confirming the cloning operation. Julia helps Jack remember who he really is, and the two set out to join the resistance.

Movie Ending

In a dramatic final act, Beech and the resistance develop a plan to destroy the Tet using a nuclear device. However, Jack insists on delivering the bomb himself, pretending to offer Julia as a hostage to gain access to the Tet.

Once aboard the Tet, Jack reveals the truth: he brought Beech, not Julia, and together they detonate the nuclear device, destroying the Tet and ending its reign over Earth. Jack sacrifices himself in the process.

Three years later, Julia is seen raising their daughter at the secluded lakeside cabin Jack had built. In the film’s final scene, a version of Jack—Tech 52, who had started regaining memories of Julia—finds the cabin, indicating that Julia and her child may still have a future with a version of Jack, even if not the original.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Oblivion does not have a post-credits scene. The movie concludes definitively with Tech 52’s arrival at Julia’s cabin, leaving the emotional resolution clear and unambiguous without additional tags.

Type of Movie

Oblivion is a science fiction film with elements of mystery, action, and romantic drama. It’s cerebral and atmospheric, relying heavily on plot twists and world-building to create emotional resonance.

Cast

Tom Cruise as Jack Harper (Tech 49)
Andrea Riseborough as Victoria “Vika” Olsen
Olga Kurylenko as Julia Rusakova
Morgan Freeman as Malcolm Beech
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Sykes
Melissa Leo as Sally (the Tet’s AI interface)

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by M83 (Anthony Gonzalez), collaborating with Joseph Trapanese. The music is atmospheric, synth-heavy, and emotionally resonant—echoing the stark beauty and loneliness of the film’s world. The score is widely praised and often compared to the electronic grandeur of Blade Runner or Interstellar.

Filming Locations

Iceland: The majority of Earth’s desolate, windswept landscapes were filmed in Iceland, giving the film its otherworldly look.
California and Louisiana: Some scenes, including the interiors of the sky tower and Tet interiors, were filmed on sound stages.

The choice of Iceland was crucial in creating a believable post-apocalyptic Earth that still maintained a raw, natural beauty—aligning with Jack’s emotional connection to the planet.

Awards and Nominations

While not a major awards contender, Oblivion received:

Nominations for Best Visual Effects at several sci-fi and fantasy film awards.
Nominations for Best Original Score from the International Film Music Critics Association.

Its stunning production design and music were the most frequently recognized elements.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Tom Cruise personally invited M83 to compose the soundtrack after hearing their music during pre-production.
The sky tower was built practically with LED screens surrounding it—realistic light reflections reduced the need for green screen and gave actors more immersive sets.
Cruise did many of his own stunts, including flying in a real helicopter in the final scenes.
Andrea Riseborough stayed in character between takes, especially during emotionally restrained scenes.
Kosinski originally wrote Oblivion as a graphic novel to pitch it visually to studios.

Inspirations and References

Inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Matrix, and Planet of the Apes—all of which deal with dystopias, false realities, or human identity.
Based on Joseph Kosinski’s own unpublished graphic novel of the same name.
The idea of memory-wiped workers maintaining a dystopian order echoes works like Moon (2009) and Logan’s Run.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

An alternate version of the ending where Julia dies and Jack raises their daughter alone was considered but rejected as too bleak.
Several scenes exploring Jack’s earlier missions and emotional rift with Vika were trimmed to improve pacing.
A longer backstory for Beech and the human resistance exists but was cut for time.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Though based on Kosinski’s graphic novel concept, the novel was never formally published. As such, the film adaptation is the definitive version. However, a movie tie-in novel was released, which offers more internal monologue and background about Jack’s thoughts and the world’s history.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Jack swimming in the secret lake oasis—symbolizing his emotional link to Earth.
Julia awakening from her pod and instantly recognizing Jack.
Jack’s confrontation with Tech 52—watching himself with suspicion and horror.
Jack’s final entry into the Tet with Beech, leading to their self-sacrifice.

Iconic Quotes

“If we have souls, they’re made of the love we share. Undimmed by time, unbound by death.”
“I can’t remember, but I know I’ve been here before.”
“We are not an effective team.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The number “49” is repeated in various elements—Jack’s designation, drone models—hinting at the clone program.
“Sally,” the AI voice, mirrors HAL 9000’s tone and calm menace from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
The Tet’s design subtly resembles the monolith from 2001 when viewed from certain angles.

Trivia

This was the first post-Mission: Impossible sci-fi film Cruise starred in where he wasn’t part of an ensemble.
The original ending was filmed twice—once with Julia dying, once with Jack surviving—in order to test audience reactions.
Kosinski insisted on shooting as many real environments as possible, minimizing CGI use.

Why Watch?

Oblivion is for fans of smart, thought-provoking science fiction with a heavy emotional core. If you enjoy exploring ideas of identity, memory, and post-human futures—with sleek production and a strong lead performance—this film delivers. It’s also a visual treat, showcasing one of the most beautiful dystopian Earths ever depicted on screen.

Oblivion (2013)