Uncharted (2022) is a globe-trotting action-adventure film inspired by Naughty Dog’s iconic PlayStation game series. Rather than adapting a single game, the movie blends characters, themes, and set pieces from across the franchise into a fast-paced origin-style story for its famous treasure hunter.
Detailed Summary
A Thief Is Born: Nathan Drake’s Origins
The film opens by introducing Nathan “Nate” Drake, a street-smart bartender with a talent for pickpocketing. Through flashbacks, we learn about his childhood in an orphanage with his older brother Sam, who disappeared after chasing a historical treasure linked to Ferdinand Magellan. This emotional backstory establishes Nate’s core motivation: family, loyalty, and unfinished business.
Enter Victor “Sully” Sullivan
Nate’s life changes when Victor Sullivan, known as Sully, approaches him with knowledge about Sam and the lost Magellan treasure. Sully claims he worked with Sam before his disappearance and believes Nate holds the missing key to finding the treasure. Their relationship starts with distrust, witty banter, and mutual manipulation, very much in the spirit of the games.
The Race for Magellan’s Gold
The central plot revolves around a legendary treasure hidden after Magellan’s voyage, supposedly lost for over 500 years. Nate and Sully are not alone in this hunt. Santiago Moncada, a ruthless heir to a powerful family, believes the treasure rightfully belongs to him. His enforcer, Jo Braddock, becomes one of the film’s most dangerous antagonists.
This section of the movie is filled with high-energy action sequences, including the now-famous cargo plane fight, where Nate is thrown out of an aircraft and battles mercenaries mid-air. This scene is a direct homage to Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception.
Betrayals, Puzzles, and Shifting Alliances
As clues lead the group from New York to Barcelona and eventually to Southeast Asia, alliances begin to fracture. Sully’s loyalty is constantly questioned, and Nate struggles to decide who he can trust. Chloe Frazer, a skilled thief with her own agenda, enters the story and adds another layer of deception.
The film leans heavily into puzzle-solving sequences inspired by historical symbols, secret passages, and ancient maps, reinforcing the franchise’s identity as a modern Indiana Jones-style adventure.
Movie Ending
In the final act, Nate and Sully discover the true location of Magellan’s treasure: two massive 16th-century ships hidden deep in a remote jungle, preserved and untouched for centuries. Moncada arrives with a private army, but he is betrayed and killed by Braddock, who intends to steal the treasure for herself.
The climax escalates when modern helicopters airlift the ancient ships into the sky, creating a visually over-the-top battle sequence. Nate and Sully fight mercenaries while dangling from ropes hundreds of feet above the ocean. Sully appears to betray Nate once again by escaping with the gold, reinforcing Nate’s trust issues.
However, this is the film’s emotional turning point. Sully returns to save Nate at the last possible moment, proving that his loyalty is real, even if his methods are questionable. Braddock is killed, and the treasure is ultimately lost at sea, reinforcing a key theme of the movie: adventure matters more than riches.
The film ends with Nate and Sully officially forming their iconic partnership. Sully sports his classic mustache, Nate embraces the role of a true adventurer, and the two head off toward new treasure hunts, fully becoming the duo fans recognize from the games.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
Yes. There is a mid-credits scene that clearly sets up a sequel. Nate is shown in prison, where Sully recruits him for another job involving a stolen artifact and a mysterious figure strongly implied to be Sam Drake. This scene directly teases future adventures and deeper connections to the game lore.
Type of Movie
Uncharted is an action-adventure film with strong elements of treasure hunting, globe-trotting exploration, and buddy-movie humor, clearly designed as a blockbuster franchise starter rather than a standalone story.
Cast
- Tom Holland as Nathan Drake
- Mark Wahlberg as Victor “Sully” Sullivan
- Sophia Ali as Chloe Frazer
- Tati Gabrielle as Jo Braddock
- Antonio Banderas as Santiago Moncada
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Ramin Djawadi, known for blending orchestral adventure themes with modern rhythms. The music supports the film’s fast pace without overpowering the action, and subtle motifs hint at the heroic tone associated with the game series.
Filming Locations
The movie was shot across Spain, Germany, and the United States. Barcelona plays a major role in the puzzle-solving sequences, with its historic architecture providing an authentic backdrop for ancient clues. Much of the jungle and action-heavy material was enhanced with CGI, but real-world locations helped ground the film in a sense of global adventure.
Awards and Nominations
While Uncharted was not a major awards contender, it received recognition for stunt coordination and visual effects in industry-specific circles and gained attention for its box office success as a video game adaptation.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The film went through nearly a decade of development hell with multiple directors attached before Ruben Fleischer took over.
- Tom Holland performed many of his own stunts, especially during the cargo plane sequence.
- Mark Wahlberg was originally cast as Nathan Drake years earlier before being re-cast as Sully.
- The filmmakers intentionally avoided adapting a single game to create a broader cinematic universe.
Inspirations and References
The movie draws inspiration from:
- The Uncharted video game series by Naughty Dog
- Classic adventure films like Indiana Jones
- Heist movies that emphasize shifting loyalties and clever twists
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Several deleted scenes reportedly expanded Sam Drake’s storyline and further explored Chloe’s backstory. Alternate endings were considered that revealed Sam earlier, but the filmmakers chose to save that reveal for potential sequels.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Uncharted is not based on a book but a video game franchise. Unlike the games, the film portrays a younger, less experienced Nathan Drake, focusing on his growth rather than presenting him as a fully formed adventurer from the start.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The mid-air cargo plane fight
- Nate and Sully deciphering clues in Barcelona’s underground
- The flying pirate ship battle in the finale
Iconic Quotes
- “There’s something you should know about me… I don’t trust anyone.” – Nathan Drake
- “You and I, kid, we’re gonna be legends.” – Sully
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Nate’s ring matches the one from the games, complete with Latin inscription
- The cargo plane sequence mirrors a nearly identical moment from Uncharted 3
- The mid-credits outfit worn by Nate resembles his classic game appearance
Trivia
- The movie grossed over $400 million worldwide, making it one of the most successful video game adaptations ever.
- Nolan North, the voice actor for Nathan Drake in the games, makes a cameo.
- Over 1,000 visual effects shots were used in the final act alone.
Why Watch?
If you enjoy fast-paced adventure, charismatic leads, and globe-trotting treasure hunts, Uncharted is an entertaining ride. It may not fully replicate the depth of the games, but it succeeds as a fun, accessible blockbuster with sequel potential.
Director’s Other Movies
- Zombieland (2009)
- Gangster Squad (2013)
- Zombieland: Double Tap (2019)
- Venom (2018)
