Mortal Engines (2018) – When Cities Devour the World to Survive

“In a world where cities roam the earth, survival means staying one step ahead of giants on wheels.”

Prepare for a breathtaking journey through a post-apocalyptic wasteland in Mortal Engines (2018), the dazzling sci-fi epic where entire cities roam the Earth on massive wheels, hunting and consuming each other to stay alive. Adapted from Philip Reeve’s acclaimed novel and produced by Peter Jackson, the film delivers a visual spectacle that redefines steampunk adventure.

Set thousands of years after civilization was obliterated by the Sixty Minute War, the film thrusts viewers into a world where London itself is a gigantic predator city rolling across scorched landscapes, swallowing smaller towns for resources. In this brutal ecosystem, young fugitive Hester Shaw (Hera Hilmar) emerges, driven by a quest for vengeance against Thaddeus Valentine (Hugo Weaving), a powerful man hiding deadly secrets.

Mortal Engines astonishes with colossal visuals, blending intricate steampunk machinery with sweeping, decimated vistas. Director Christian Rivers crafts towering mobile metropolises, airships sailing beneath stormy skies, and epic chases across shifting terrain, immersing audiences in a world like no other.

Yet beyond its grand scale, the film carries themes of class struggle, environmental ruin, and humanity’s relentless pursuit of power—even at the cost of survival. Hester and young historian Tom Natsworthy (Robert Sheehan) form an unlikely alliance, navigating a war between monstrous cities and rebel factions who dream of freedom.

Although Mortal Engines faced mixed reviews for its pacing and dense world-building, it has earned a cult following for its sheer ambition and striking visuals. It’s a tale that dares to ask: when cities become predators, how long before humanity devours itself?