Jurassic World: Rebirth - is it worth watching? Another new cliché movie?

Jurassic World: Rebirth is an American action and science fiction film directed by Gareth Edwards and written by David Koepp. An independent sequel to Jurassic World: Dominion (2022), it is the fourth installment in the Jurassic World series and the seventh in the Jurassic Park franchise.

The film was released in the United States by Universal Pictures on July 2, 2025.

Reminder: contains spoilers. Here’s the story, which takes place after the events of Jurassic World: Dominion.

On a restricted island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean called Ile Saint-Hubert, InGen develops a group of genetically modified and mutant dinosaurs. One of these creatures, a six-limbed deformed pterosaur known as Distortus Rex, escapes confinement and triggers the evacuation of the lab.

Seventeen years later, Earth has become a welcoming environment for dinosaurs and other previously extinct species. These resurrected creatures now inhabit tropical environments similar to their original habitats. Zora Bennett, a covert operative, is recruited by Martin Krebs, the head of a pharmaceutical company. He invites her to work with paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis and team leader Duncan Kincaid on an expedition to Ile Saint-Hubert to collect blood samples from the remaining dinosaurs. It’s revealed that the biomaterial within these creatures contains the key to a potential cure for heart disease. A new drug lies within their DNA.

During the mission, the group manages to collect their first sample from a Mosasaurus spotted near the island. Along the way, they rescue a stranded family, the Delgados. However, they’re attacked by a combination of Spinosauruses and Mosasauruses, causing the team to crash-land. Two team members, Bobby and Nina, do not survive. Amid the chaos, the Delgado family falls into the water and gets separated from Zora.

Upon reaching the island, Zora and her team manage to extract a second DNA sample from a dinosaur called Titanosaurus. They then infiltrate a Quetzalcoatlus nest and collect the third and final sample. However, an adult Quetzalcoatlus attacks and kills Leclerc. With all the samples secured, Zora and the remaining team members head to the abandoned research facility where they plan to be extracted by helicopter.

Meanwhile, the Delgados are stranded elsewhere on the island and come across an Aquilops, which one of the children names Dolores. They are chased downstream by a T-Rex but manage to escape using an emergency raft.

The two groups reunite at the research facility but are ambushed by mutated Raptor-Pterosaur hybrids known as Mutadon. The rescue helicopter arrives but is immediately taken down by the Distortus Rex. Martin is killed and devoured by the creature.

The group escapes through an underground runway, where they find a boat and flee the island safely. And there’s one last surprise that we won’t spoil here, just in case you decide to watch the movie!

Cast

Scarlett Johansson as Zora Bennett, a covert operations specialist

Mahershala Ali as Duncan Kincaid, Zora’s team leader

Jonathan Bailey as Dr. Henry Loomis, a paleontologist

Rupert Friend as Martin Krebs, a pharmaceutical representative

The Reuben Family

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Reuben Delgado

Luna Blaise as Teresa Delgado

David Iacono as Xavier Dobbs

Audrina Miranda as Isabella "Bella" Delgado

Zora’s Team

Philippine Velge as Nina

Bechir Sylvain as Leclerc

Ed Skrein as Bobby Atwater

The film succeeds in its setting (after all, it’s a remote island filled with genetically altered dinosaurs) and in its engaging soundtrack. But it falls short in several key areas.

The formula is the same as always, repeated once again. That alone isn't surprising.

At least based on the marketing, the intention seemed to be to revive the essence of the franchise, bringing back the sense of wonder and danger that Jurassic Park delivered in its early moments. For me, that promise isn’t fulfilled.

Where’s the Suspense and Horror?

Anyone who’s read the books or rewatched the original film knows the franchise’s essence lies in constant suspense. The books, especially in their opening chapters, build tension with scenes that make us pause and reflect before fully realizing the threat. The original movie is dark, filled with ominous settings and an ever-present fear of being eaten alive.

In Rebirth, that atmosphere of suspense is poorly executed. The film feels more like an adventure-comedy, with jokes seemingly inserted to cover the gaps of a lackluster script.

The cast, clearly selected for their popularity and charisma, delivers solid performances. But the danger, the tension, that spine-chilling thrill — it’s just not there.

Two elements of the script were particularly disappointing:

In the official trailer, around 1:29, there’s a line about raptors, something like "let’s hope they’re not raptors!" followed by the realization that... yes, they are.

This scene is not in the theatrical version. In fact, raptors barely appear at all in the movie.

The second issue involves the creature that was meant to be the star attraction: the D-Rex (Distortus Rex). Promoted as a horrifying genetic mutation, a monstrous fusion of species set to redefine the concept of a super dinosaur.

But its appearance is late, brief, and underwhelming. The creature lacks both visual impact and narrative presence. It looks like a slightly misshapen T-Rex with an extra pair of limbs. The script doesn’t clarify what modifications were made or why exactly it’s supposed to be terrifying — something the first Jurassic World handled much better with the Indominus Rex, whose new abilities genuinely elevated the sense of threat.

Here, the D-Rex simply chases people. No standout moments, no real menace, no suspense.

In the end, Rebirth feels shallow. Dinosaurs are present, yes, but what we get is a generic comedy with throwaway character deaths and a finale that feels rushed and implausible. The monstrous creature created by science is distracted by flares and just walks away.

Jurassic World: Rebirth features impressive visuals and large-scale dinosaur action, along with a charismatic cast. Still, the film underdelivers in terms of storytelling and originality. It plays it safe, leaning heavily on nostalgia rather than offering fresh ideas.

If you’re looking for a laid-back movie night with popcorn and exciting effects, it might be worth your time. If your goal is to follow another chapter of the franchise and chat about it with friends later, it works for that too.

But if you're hoping for a well-crafted story, memorable scenes or genuine suspense, this one might let you down. Longtime fans may be better off revisiting the classic original.

Maybe it really is time for the franchise to take a break and explore new ideas within the dinosaur genre. There's still so much potential to tap into... a fresh take on the T-Rex, intriguing genetic experiments like the Indominus, intelligent raptors, or scientifically grounded Spinosauruses. Audiences would surely welcome it.

That's it from me for now! If you're in the mood for truly gripping horror films, click here and check out our article with top recommendations.

See you next time!