“X-Men: Dark Phoenix” (2019) is a superhero film directed by Simon Kinberg and serves as the twelfth installment in the X-Men film series. The movie is based on the Marvel Comics’ Dark Phoenix Saga, one of the most famous storylines in X-Men history. The film stars Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, James McAvoy as Charles Xavier, Michael Fassbender as Magneto, and Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique.

Plot Summary: Set in 1992, nearly a decade after the events of X-Men: Apocalypse, the X-Men are now national heroes. However, during a space rescue mission, Jean Grey is struck by a mysterious cosmic force that greatly enhances her powers but also amplifies the darkness within her. As her newly acquired powers spiral out of control, Jean becomes a threat not only to her friends and family but to the entire planet.

The movie explores Jean’s internal struggle as she grapples with her identity and the destructive force that’s taking over her. As her power grows, so does her vulnerability to manipulation by outside forces, particularly from a mysterious alien named Vuk (played by Jessica Chastain), who seeks to use Jean’s power for her own gain.

As Jean turns against her fellow X-Men and becomes the Dark Phoenix, the team must decide whether to save or stop one of their own, leading to tragic consequences and a final battle that puts the fate of the world in jeopardy.

“X-Men: Dark Phoenix” attempts to be a more intimate and emotional story compared to previous entries in the series, focusing heavily on Jean Grey’s character arc and the relationships within the team. Despite high expectations, the film received mixed-to-negative reviews, with some critics pointing out its pacing and story execution as issues, though the performances and special effects were praised.

This movie marks the conclusion of the main X-Men storyline before the rights to the characters were transferred to Disney and Marvel Studios.