By the power of Grayskull, Amazon's Masters of the Universe has finally arrived, bringing the iconic hero He-Man to the big screen in a grand fantasy adventure. But what happens at the end? Does Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) defeat the evil Skeletor (Jared Leto)? And should you stay through the credits? Let's dive into the epic conclusion and the thrilling setup for what's next.
Prince Adam's Journey to Fulfill His Destiny
In the film, Prince Adam returns to his home planet of Eternia after it has fallen under Skeletor's control. Armed with the recently discovered Sword of Power, Adam hopes to turn the tide. However, a confrontation at Snake Mountain ends tragically: Skeletor kills King Randor (James Purefoy) and seizes the sword. With encouragement from his mentor Duncan, the Man-at-Arms (Idris Elba), Adam rallies the imprisoned heroes of Eternia for a final assault on Castle Grayskull. During the battle, Skeletor shatters the Sword of Power and fatally stabs Adam with the broken hilt.
In a vision, the Sorceress (Morena Baccarin) reveals that Adam was chosen as the vessel of the Power of Grayskull because of his kindness and empathy—the true qualities of a hero. This revelation allows Adam to summon the power, reforming the sword and transforming into He-Man. In his final showdown, He-Man destroys Skeletor's Havoc Staff, causing the villain to disintegrate into a disembodied skull.
Six Months Later: A New Era for Eternia
The epilogue jumps ahead six months. Eternos is being rebuilt, and the heroes are united. Adam adopts the nickname He-Man, which he created as a child, and bestows similar monikers on his allies: Fisto, Ram Man, Mekaneck, and Warrior Goddess for Teela (Camila Mendes). As the credits roll, Adam and Cringer transform into He-Man and Battle Cat to answer a distress call. But the story is far from over.
Post-Credits Scenes: She-Ra's Shocking Debut
The first credit scene features a cameo from Orko, the Trollan wizard, offering a moral lesson reminiscent of the classic cartoon. But the mid-credits sequence is the real stunner. Man-at-Arms and Queen Marlena (Charlotte Riley) watch He-Man ride off, with Marlena lamenting that she had lost hope for "both of them." Man-at-Arms hints that "she" might return someday.
The scene cuts to a female warrior wielding a sword that looks like the Sword of Power but is actually the Sword of Protection. Though her face is hidden, her cape, crown, and sword unmistakably identify her as She-Ra. When someone asks for Captain Adora, she replies, "No, not anymore." This marks the live-action debut of She-Ra, Princess of Power, setting up a reunion with her twin brother Adam.
Who Is She-Ra?
In the lore, She-Ra is Adora, the long-lost twin sister of Prince Adam. Kidnaged as an infant by the evil Hordak and his apprentice Skeletor, Adora was brainwashed into serving the Horde on Etheria. After encountering He-Man, she learns the truth and gains the Sword of Protection to become She-Ra. Her introduction in Masters of the Universe paves the way for a sequel where the siblings team up against Hordak. Director Travis Knight has confirmed plans for a She-Ra-centric follow-up, as reported in Masters of the Universe Post-Credits Scene: She-Ra's Future Hinges on Box Office.
What About Skeletor?
Stick around for the final end-credits scene: Evil-Lyn (Alison Brie) retrieves Skeletor's skull from Castle Grayskull, remarking that he's looked better. She takes it away, and we hear Skeletor's maniacal laugh. It seems the Lord of Destruction isn't gone for good, and Evil-Lyn may find a way to resurrect him. For more on how the film has been received, check out He-Man's 'Masters of the Universe' Defies Skeptics with Strong Box Office and Positive Reviews.
With She-Ra's debut and Skeletor's lingering threat, the stage is set for an epic sequel. Fans of high fantasy should also explore 21st Century's Best High Fantasy Movies, Ranked: From Middle-earth to Oz for more cinematic adventures.
