Walton Gogginsfans who enjoyed the actor in the Prime Video seriesFalloutmay want to revisit thisothervideo game adaptation, which showcases Goggins at his unhinged and chaotic best. With MovieWeb voting it asone of the best video game movie adaptations, the 2018Tomb Raiderfilm is a thrilling adventure. Walton Goggins' performance as the mad warlord Mathias Vogel is a significant part of what makes the film so great.
Tomb Raiderstars Alicia Vikander as reluctant heiress and enthusiastic bike courier Lara Croft. Years after her father goes missing on an expedition, Lara makes a discovery that she hopes will lead her to his last known location. Armed with her father’s research and a trusted guide, Lara sets off for a dangerous island where she meets the man responsible for her father’s death (Goggins). As a video game adaptation,Tomb Raiderfinds a wonderful balance of spectacle and action thanks to some mind-bending thrills and a spirit of adventure. The film is anchored by committed performances from the cast, highlighted by a villainous Goggins, who is just on the wrong side of madness.
Tomb Raider
‘Tomb Raider’ Is a Video Game Adaptation That Stands on Its Own
Warner Bros.
Tomb Raiderworks as a perfect stand-alone film for the popular video game franchise. Although theTomb Raiderseries has spawned several games and welcomed two movies starring Angelina Jolie, the 2018 film version does not rely too heavily on gaming lore or prior knowledge, making it an excellent watch for new viewers. The film features plenty of action and stays true to its video-game origins, without going entirely over the top to the point of constant, unbelievable absurdity.
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Tomb Raiderdelivers a solid progression of escalating danger, mimicking what video game fans would expect from gameplay, all while offering plenty of spectacular set pieces. One standout sequence is the falling floor segment in the film’s latter half. As Lara and her impromptu team race to solve a puzzle while the floor vanishes beneath them, the scene thrillingly recreates the kind of impossible challenges video games are famous for.
Goggins' Outstanding Video Game Adaptation Performance
He’s Great in ‘Fallout’ and ‘Tomb Raider’
TheTomb Raidercast turns in solid performances across the board.Vikander is believable as the staunch and determined protagonist. She performs the action choreography well andfills the character with an unrelenting spiritthat embodies the iconic adventurer. However,as fitting as her performance is, it is Walton Goggins' portrayal of Mathias Vogel that is by far the highlight of this film.
Goggins plays the role perfectlyas the requisite video game villain. He is dangerous, slightly unhinged, and gives every indication of a man who may slowly be losing his sanity. A warlord on a mysterious island who has become attached to a disembodied voice no one else speaks to, Goggins plays this role masterfully with a sort of disturbed ease that makes his character so intriguing.
It would be easy for this role to fall into the trap of relying solely on one-note motivations like ‘evil’ and ‘greed.’ Instead, his character has all the desperation of a man who has been imprisoned and is willing to do anything to get out. By anchoring his zealousness in the character’s frantic desire to return home, his tyrannical and cruel actions are given depth and never really fall into the easy range of cartoonish villainy. The character is outrageous, unhinged, and entirely relatable in a way that ultimately does not absolve him. But who needs absolution when you’re so entertaining?
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Tomb Raideralso stars Daniel Wu as Lu Ren, a local troubled soul who serves as Lara’s guide and defender. Dominic West takes on the role of Lara’s father, Richard Croft. Kristin Scott Thomas (The English Patient), Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz), Derek Jacobi (The Crown), and Hannah John-Kamen (Thunderbolts*).Fans can look forward toFalloutSeason 2 premiering in December 2025, where Goggins will return as the Ghoul.Tomb Raideris now available to stream for free onPluto TVandTubi.
