Story Overview

Aquaman follows Arthur Curry, a man who discovers that he is the rightful heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis. Born of two worlds—human and Atlantean—Arthur has spent his life on the surface, disconnected from the destiny written into his blood. When his ruthless half-brother Orm rises to power and threatens to unite the seven underwater kingdoms in a war against the surface world, Arthur is forced to confront his heritage and decide whether he is worthy of becoming a king.

Reluctant to claim the throne, Arthur embarks on a perilous journey that will test both his strength and his character. Alongside Mera, the fierce and intelligent princess of the underwater kingdom of Xebel, he must seek the legendary Trident of Atlan—an ancient weapon that only the true king of Atlantis can wield. Their quest takes them across continents and into the deepest, most dangerous realms of the ocean, where myth, history, and destiny collide.

Directed by visionary filmmaker James Wan, Aquaman blends epic fantasy with high-octane action, presenting a richly imagined underwater world unlike anything previously seen in the DC cinematic universe. Wan’s approach emphasizes not only large-scale spectacle, but also the emotional core of Arthur’s journey: a man struggling with identity, belonging, and responsibility.

The film stars Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry, delivering a charismatic performance that balances raw physical power with humor and vulnerability. He is joined by Amber Heard as Mera, Arthur’s equal in both strength and determination, whose loyalty to Atlantis is matched by her belief that Arthur is the only one capable of preventing war. The supporting cast includes Willem Dafoe as the wise Atlantean advisor Vulko, Patrick Wilson as the ambitious and ideologically driven King Orm, Nicole Kidman as Arthur’s mother Queen Atlanna, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as the vengeful Black Manta.

At its core, Aquaman is a story about duality: land and sea, heritage and choice, power and compassion. Arthur’s greatest challenge is not defeating his enemies, but overcoming his own doubt and anger toward a world that forced his mother to abandon him. As tensions rise between Atlantis and the surface, Arthur must decide whether he will remain a solitary warrior—or embrace his destiny as a bridge between two civilizations.

Drawing inspiration from DC Comics’ New 52 era, the film reintroduces Aquaman as a modern mythological hero, combining classical legend with contemporary themes such as environmental responsibility and political power. The result is an epic origin story that transforms Aquaman from a misunderstood figure into a fully realized cinematic icon, setting the stage for future conflicts within the DC universe.