Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destinyhas just premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, and the lucky people present to watchHarrison Ford’s last adventure as Indy reveal how the movie offers the character an emotional goodbye. The first reactions toIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destinyare extremely positive, which spells good news for fans of the franchise.
Set in 1969,Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destinyfollows Indy as he gets involved with another mystical relic, this time to protect the world againstMads Mikkelsen’s villainousVoller, a former Nazi official with a long history with Indy. Since Voller is a villain from Indy’s past,Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destinyde-ages Ford by recycling unused footagefromRaiders of the Lost Ark. So, fans can expect the movie to jump from past to present while bringing the archeologist journey to an end.
While Ford’s tomb raider is still the show’s star, he’ll share the screen withPhoebe Waller-Bridge. In the sequel, Waller-Bridge plays Indy’s goddaughter, Helena.Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destinycastalso includesJohn Rhys-Daviesreturning as Sallah, Indy’s Egyptian friend. The movie also starsBoyd Holbrook,Antonio Banderas,Toby Jones, andThomas Kretschmann.
Fans willing to know where the franchise will go next will be happy to know Collider’sTherese LacsonsaysIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destinyis “a romping fun time that covers the greatest hits and paves a potential new path for the franchise.” Could that potential path forward be Waller-Bridge’s character?
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What Do Critics Say AboutIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny?
Coming hot from Cannes, one of the leading French outlets,Le Parisien, sayIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destinyis “spectacular, funny, and incredibly well-made.” The movie’s review, written byRenaud Baronian, praises thefifthIndiana Jonesmoviefor taking longtime fans on an emotional journey that serves as the perfect farewell to Ford’s beloved character.Philippe Rouyer, another French critic, says the new Indiana Jones doesn’t equal the original trilogy but still offers a “great spectacle while staying faithful to the franchise’s mythology.” Finally, writing forLe Figaro,Olivier DelcroixrevealsIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny"brilliantly closes a 42-years old legendary saga."
Writing forTotal Film,James Mottramechoes the sentiment of our French colleagues, praisingIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destinyfor giving Indy a proper farewell.Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destinyis the first film in the franchise not directed bySteven Spielberg, who acts as a producer. Instead,James Mangolddirects the movie from a script he wrote withJez ButterworthandJohn-Henry Butterworth. In his review, Mottram comparesIndiana Jones and the Dial of DestinytoLogan, the fan-favorite Mangold movie which gaveHugh Jackman’s Wolverine its swan song. It’s an amazing compliment, asLoganis still remembered asone of the best superhero movies of all time.
On Twitter,Clayton Daviswas also quick to sayIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destinygives “a farewell to one of the greatest movie characters in cinema history.” So, with all this positive feedback, it’s no wonder the movie got asix-minute standing ovation after its Cannes premiere.
Of course, not everyone is convinced. For instance, Indie Wire’sEric KohnrevealedIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destinyfeels similar toStar Wars: The Force Awakens, in the sense it tries to play safe and make good use of “fan service.” Still, while Kohn was apparently not jumping from his seat in excitement, the critic still saysIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny"hits a lot of agreeable beats on its own terms.” Unfortunately, not everyone was pleased with Indy’s latest adventure, as The Hollywood Reporter’sDavid RooneyclaimsIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destinyis a “bombastic movie that goes through the motions but never finds much joy in the process.” Other negative reviews claim the movie leans too hard on fan service without offering anything new. That’s a valid criticism. Still, it might not be enough to stop the franchise’s fans from catchingIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destinyin theaters, specially when there’s so much positive buzz circling on social media.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destinyhits theaters on July 12, 2025.
