Bright (2017)
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In an alternate present where humans and mythical creatures coexist, an LAPD officer and his orc partner must protect a powerful magic wand from various factions.
The story
In an alternate present where humans and mythical creatures like orcs and elves coexist, magic is real but illegal to practice. LAPD officer Daryl Ward is partnered with Nick Jakoby, the first orc officer in the U.S. Their relationship is strained by past tensions and the fact that Jakoby is ostracized by both humans and his own kind. The conflict intensifies when they are tasked with protecting a young elf girl, Tikka, who possesses a magical wand. As they navigate the streets of Los Angeles, they must contend with corrupt officers, extremist groups, and various factions seeking to seize the wand's power.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In a world where magic is illegal and humans live alongside mythical creatures, LAPD officers Daryl Ward and Nick Jakoby (an orc) are tasked with protecting Tikka, an elf girl who wields a magical wand. After a confrontation with corrupt officers who try to steal the wand, they are pursued by a Hispanic gang, the radical elf sect Inferni, and the federal Magic Task Force. During a series of skirmishes, Jakoby is captured and killed by the Fogteeth Orcs, but Tikka uses the wand to resurrect him, revealing herself as a 'Bright.' The duo eventually faces the Inferni leader, Leilah. In a final confrontation, Ward also reveals himself as a Bright by surviving a magical explosion. He defeats Leilah, and the trio escapes. The film ends with Ward and Jakoby being hailed as heroes while they provide a doctored account of the events to the federal government.
- First release year
- 2017
- Runtime (minutes)
- 118
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- David Ayer
- Writers
- Max Landis · writer
- Cast and characters
- Will Smith · Daryl Ward; Joel Edgerton · Nick Jakoby; Noomi Rapace · Leilah; Lucy Fry · Tikka; Édgar Ramírez · Kandomere; Ike Barinholtz · Pollard
- Genres
- urban fantasy; action; cop thriller
- Themes
- racism; police corruption; coexistence
- Tone and mood
- action; gritty
- Premise and plot tags
- buddy cop; fantasy; supernatural
- Franchise connections
- Bright
- Reception
- The film received generally negative reviews from critics for its screenplay and worldbuilding, but it was exceptionally popular with viewers and considered a success for Netflix.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 26% · scale: percentage · review count: 113; Metacritic · score: 29 · scale: 100 · review count: 26
- Production trivia
- It was the most expensive Netflix film to date at the time of its release.; It spawned an anime spin-off film in 2021.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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