MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE Has a Surprising Message Challenging What It Means to Be a Hero

For years, Hollywood has been digging through decades of beloved intellectual property in search of the next blockbuster. Some of those projects have felt like little more than attempts to cash in on audience familiarity, which has understandably made moviegoers skeptical whenever another classic brand gets dusted off and brought back to theaters.

That skepticism is exactly why some people may completely miss what Masters of the Universe is actually trying to do.

At first glance, a live-action He-Man movie seems like the textbook definition of nostalgia-driven filmmaking. It’s based on one of Mattel’s most recognizable properties, arrives at a time when studios are leaning heavily on established brands, and features a story rooted in a toy line that first exploded in popularity more than 40 years ago. But according to the filmmakers and cast, there’s much more happening beneath the surface.

The film has already generated strong reactions from critics following its premiere and currently holds Certified Fresh status on Rotten Tomatoes. Even so, there are plenty of people eager to dismiss it as another uninspired attempt to monetize childhood memories.

Looking closer at the people behind the project, however, suggests that reading might be missing the point entirely.

Much like how Barbie surprised audiences by using a toy icon to examine expectations placed on women, Masters of the Universe uses its larger-than-life fantasy setting to explore masculinity.

The difference is that viewers have to meet the film halfway. If you walk into it assuming there’s no sincerity behind its themes, there’s a good chance you’ll overlook what it’s trying to say.

Director Travis Knight recently discussed the ideas driving the film, explaining that the story centers on growth, empathy, and helping others become better versions of themselves.

"We are telling a story about these men, and they're at various different places in their journey, and they were raised [with] different generational perspectives," Knight told /Film.

"I wanted to make sure that as a filmmaker, even anything I disagree with, that I approach these things with empathy, that I try to understand where these people are coming from."

That perspective feels especially meaningful coming from Knight. While many know him as a filmmaker and animator, he also grew up as the son of Nike founder Phil Knight.

He has openly talked about preferring to play with action figures rather than participate in sports, giving him a unique understanding of the many different ways masculinity can be expressed.

That outlook is woven throughout Masters of the Universe. The film presents male characters who approach life, conflict, and responsibility from very different angles. Rather than declaring one version of masculinity correct and another wrong, it explores how people learn from one another.

It also recognizes that simplistic answers rarely solve complicated problems. Talking through disagreements is valuable, but that philosophy only goes so far when someone like Skeletor is trying to conquer the universe. At the same time, relying exclusively on violence and emotional suppression creates its own problems.

Knight pointed to the relationship between Adam and Duncan as one of the clearest examples of that idea.

"You've got Duncan (Idris Elba), and you've got Adam, who look at the world very, very differently, but they affect each other. They help each other," Knight explains.

"They're not perfect by the end of the movie, but they've grown because of their relationship and their openness to each other. And I think that's a beautiful thing. I hope that more dudes can do that."

The casting of Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam and He-Man also adds an interesting layer to the conversation. Over the course of his career, Galitzine has portrayed a remarkably wide range of male characters.

From soldiers and princes to athletes, musicians, and young men wrestling with identity, his filmography has consistently explored different expressions of masculinity.

That experience proved valuable when stepping into the role of Adam. "Masculinity, femininity by nature, these are things that are not singular and all-consuming," Galitzine said.

"As people, we all contain these multitudes and light and shade. I think that what Adam really learns is that he obviously aspires to be these muscle-bound heroes that he grew up admiring, but that they don't really solve, certainly, a lot of the issues in his life."

For Galitzine, Adam’s greatest strength isn’t his sword, his muscles, or even the power of Grayskull. It’s his ability to understand people.

Galitzine thinks that Adam's true superpower is being able to empathize with people, even if you don't always see eye-to-eye with them, to find a way to collaborate. "Creating that nuance is something I've always been really fascinated in pursuing throughout my career," he says.

That’s what makes Masters of the Universe more interesting than many people may expect. Beneath the giant battles, fantasy spectacle, and iconic characters is a story examining how men connect with one another, challenge their assumptions, and grow beyond the expectations placed on them.

Will everyone embrace that message? Probably not. Some viewers will see a live-action He-Man movie and assume it exists solely to cash in on childhood memories, which is also does. But in doing that, there was also genuine thought and care that Knight, Galitzine, and the rest of the creative team have poured into the project.

The film certainly delivers the adventure audiences expect from a Masters of the Universe movie, but it’s also tackling ideas that resonate far beyond Eternia. It recognizes that conversations about masculinity can be complicated, and sometimes messy. More importantly, it argues that those conversations are worth having.