Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

Wonder Woman 1984 (aka WW84), directed by Patty Jenkins, is the sequel to the 2017 hit Wonder Woman. Set in the vibrant, excess-filled 1980s, the film expands on the character of Diana Prince while delivering a story centered around wish fulfillment, power, and personal sacrifice. While its reception was mixed compared to its predecessor, WW84 offers some thought-provoking themes and a nostalgic aesthetic.

Detailed Summary

Opening: The Amazon Games

The film kicks off with a flashback to Themyscira, Diana’s homeland. A young Diana participates in a large-scale Amazonian athletic competition. Despite her initial success, she’s disqualified after cheating—a lesson that sets the thematic tone: truth matters more than victory.

Diana in the 1980s: Life in Secrecy

Fast forward to 1984, Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) is now working as a senior anthropologist at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. She still mourns the loss of Steve Trevor and leads a solitary life, secretly fighting crime as Wonder Woman. The film captures the glitz and optimism of the ‘80s, contrasted with Diana’s emotional isolation.

The Dreamstone: Enter the Magical MacGuffin

Barbara Minerva (Kristen Wiig), Diana’s awkward co-worker, discovers a mysterious artifact called the Dreamstone. It grants users one wish—but at a personal cost. Diana unknowingly wishes for Steve Trevor to return, and he does—his soul occupies another man’s body. Barbara, on the other hand, wishes to be more like Diana, gaining strength, confidence, and eventually powers of her own.

Max Lord: The Wishmaster

The villain of the film is Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal), a charismatic and failing oil tycoon. He tricks Barbara and takes possession of the Dreamstone. Unlike others, he doesn’t make a wish—he becomes the Dreamstone itself. This allows him to grant others’ wishes in exchange for what he desires: their influence, power, or resources. Chaos ensues globally as he manipulates world leaders and millions of people.

Consequences and Sacrifices

As the world spirals out of control—wars erupting, natural disasters occurring—Diana starts to lose her powers due to her wish. Realizing this, she makes the painful choice to renounce her wish, saying a heartbreaking goodbye to Steve once more. Barbara, however, refuses to give up her new strength and transforms into Cheetah, Diana’s formidable opponent.

Diana regains her full powers and dons the golden Asteria armor for the final battle. She fights Cheetah in a brutal showdown, ultimately subduing her without killing her. Meanwhile, Max Lord is using a satellite to grant millions of wishes simultaneously, pushing the world to the brink of nuclear annihilation.

Movie Ending

In the emotional climax, Wonder Woman confronts Max Lord not with fists, but with words. She uses her Lasso of Truth to connect to him—and through him, to the entire world. She pleads with humanity to renounce their wishes, explaining that no true happiness comes from lies. Her message is broadcast to the world, and one by one, people begin to renounce their wishes, including Lord himself, who is overwhelmed by visions of his son, Alistair.

Max rushes to his son, who forgives him in a tender reunion. The chaos subsides, the nuclear war is averted, and balance is restored. Diana walks through the snowy streets, having fully accepted her role as a hero who must often live with loss in order to protect truth and justice.

The film ends with Diana quietly observing the world during Christmas, now at peace. She briefly meets the man whose body Steve had occupied—neither of them acknowledge what happened, but there’s an unspoken warmth between them.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

Yes, there is one mid-credits scene. It reveals that the legendary Amazon warrior Asteria, whose armor Diana wore, is still alive and living among humans. She is played by Lynda Carter, the original Wonder Woman from the 1970s TV series. This scene is a fun nod for longtime fans and sets up possible future stories in the Wonder Woman mythos.

There is no post-credits scene at the very end, so once the mid-credits sequence finishes, you can safely leave the theater.

Type of Movie

Wonder Woman 1984 is a superhero fantasy action-drama with a heavy emphasis on emotion, character development, and moral allegory. It blends 1980s nostalgia with mythological elements and modern ethical dilemmas.

Cast

• Gal Gadot as Diana Prince / Wonder Woman
• Chris Pine as Steve Trevor
• Kristen Wiig as Barbara Minerva / Cheetah
• Pedro Pascal as Maxwell Lord
• Robin Wright as Antiope (cameo)
• Connie Nielsen as Hippolyta
• Lynda Carter as Asteria (mid-credits cameo)

Film Music and Composer

The score is composed by Hans Zimmer, who delivers a powerful, emotionally resonant soundtrack. The music blends synth-heavy 80s nostalgia with his signature sweeping orchestral themes. The film also features a remixed version of the track “Beautiful Lie” from Batman v Superman.

Filming Locations

• Washington, D.C. – Primary setting for Diana’s daily life and key action sequences (mall fight, convoy chase).
• Spain (Almería) – Used for desert scenes involving the Middle East.
• Canary Islands – Represent the jungle environments and other exotic locales.
• United Kingdom – Studio work and some interiors shot at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden.

The variety of locations helped depict a global catastrophe driven by Max Lord’s powers.

Awards and Nominations

• Critics’ Choice Super Awards: Nominated for Best Superhero Movie, Best Actress (Gal Gadot)
• Saturn Awards: Nominated for Best Comic-to-Film Motion Picture
• Won several technical and costume design awards in smaller film circuits.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• The mall fight scene was shot in a real abandoned mall in Virginia.
• Gal Gadot was pregnant during some reshoots and wore a specially designed costume to hide her bump.
• Kristen Wiig underwent extensive physical training to portray Barbara’s transformation into Cheetah.
• Director Patty Jenkins pushed for practical effects where possible, especially in the wirework sequences.
• Pedro Pascal’s performance as Max Lord was inspired by over-the-top 1980s televangelists and salesmen.

Inspirations and References

• Based loosely on DC Comics’ Wonder Woman series, especially the Barbara Minerva / Cheetah arc.
• The Dreamstone concept is original to the film but echoes elements from comics involving magical artifacts.
• Max Lord’s wish-granting powers were partially inspired by the Monkey’s Paw myth.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

• An alternate opening was planned with a focus on young Diana in a more spiritual setting, ultimately cut for pacing.
• Several scenes were trimmed from Barbara’s transformation into Cheetah, including more of her growing moral corruption.
• One deleted scene involved Diana contemplating using the Dreamstone again, hinting at internal conflict.

Book Adaptations and Differences

There is a novelization of the movie that elaborates more on the internal thoughts of characters. The book also dives deeper into Max Lord’s background and Barbara’s loneliness. However, there’s no original comic storyline that directly matches the film’s plot—it is a unique cinematic narrative.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Opening Amazon games sequence.
• Diana’s emotional goodbye to Steve on the rooftop.
• The desert convoy action set-piece.
• Cheetah vs. Wonder Woman in the satellite facility.
• The global renunciation speech climax.

Iconic Quotes

• Diana: “Nothing good is born from lies. And greatness is not what you think.”
• Steve: “It’s not about what we deserve; it’s about what we believe.”
• Max Lord: “You can have it all. You just have to want it.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Lynda Carter’s cameo connects the film to the classic Wonder Woman series.
• The Dreamstone is subtly linked to Dechalafrea Ero, a fictional god of lies in DC Comics lore.
• The name “Simon Stagg,” who briefly appears, is a villain from the comics.
• The jet Diana flies becomes “invisible,” referencing her Invisible Jet from the comics.

Trivia

• Gal Gadot’s real-life husband and children appear as extras in the Christmas scene.
• The film was released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max due to the pandemic.
• Chris Pine’s wardrobe was inspired by 1980s catalog models and even includes a nod to Miami Vice.
• This is the first DCEU film to not feature a single Batman or Superman cameo/reference.

Why Watch?

Watch Wonder Woman 1984 for a superhero film that prioritizes heart over spectacle. While not a traditional action-packed sequel, it offers emotional depth, vibrant aesthetics, and a nostalgic setting that explores deeper questions about truth, desire, and integrity. If you’re a fan of character-driven stories with high emotional stakes, this one’s worth your time.

Director’s Other Movies

• Wonder Woman (2017)
• Monster (2003)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Captain Marvel (2019)
• Justice League (2017)
• The Old Guard (2020)
• Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
• Black Widow (2021)
• Aquaman (2018)