"Thor: Ragnarok" delves deep into the Norse mythological concept of Ragnarök, presenting it not merely as a backdrop but as a central, inescapable force driving the film's narrative. The prophesied apocalypse, meaning the destruction of Asgard, looms large over Thor's journey. Initially, Thor believes he has averted this catastrophe by defeating the fire demon Surtur and taking his crown. However, the true nature of Ragnarök, and its connection to his long-lost
sister Hela, soon becomes terrifyingly clear, forcing Thor to confront a destiny far greater and more complex than he anticipated.
The Unveiling of Hela and Odin's Secret
Two years after the Battle of Sokovia, Thor finds himself imprisoned by Surtur, who reveals that Odin is no longer on Asgard and that Ragnarök is imminent. Surtur explains that the apocalypse will occur once his crown unites with the Eternal Flame in Odin's vault. Thor's initial victory over Surtur and seizure of the crown proves to be a temporary reprieve. Upon returning to Asgard, he discovers Loki impersonating Odin, leading to a quest to find their father. With the help of Stephen Strange, they locate Odin in Norway, who reveals his impending death and the true threat: his firstborn child, Hela.
Odin explains that Hela, a sibling Thor and Loki never knew existed, was the leader of Asgard's armies, conquering the Nine Realms alongside him. However, her insatiable bloodlust led Odin to imprison her in Hel and erase her from history. Odin's death frees Hela from her prison, unleashing her formidable power. She effortlessly destroys Thor's hammer, Mjolnir, and pursues the brothers as they attempt to flee through the Bifröst Bridge, knocking them into space. Hela's arrival in Asgard marks the true beginning of the prophesied destruction, as she swiftly defeats the Asgardian army, slays the Warriors Three, and resurrects ancient warriors, including her giant wolf Fenris, appointing Skurge as her executioner. Her plan to use the Bifröst to expand Asgard's empire is thwarted only by Heimdall, who takes the sword controlling the bridge.
Sakaar, the Hulk, and the Path to True Power
Thor crash-lands on Sakaar, a garbage planet surrounded by wormholes, where he is subdued by Scrapper 142, a slave trader, and sold as a gladiator to the Grandmaster. On Sakaar, Thor recognizes 142 as a Valkyrie, one of a legendary force of female warriors who were killed fighting Hela eons ago. He is forced to compete in the Grandmaster's Contest of Champions, where he faces his friend, the Hulk. Despite summoning lightning and gaining an advantage, the Grandmaster sabotages the fight to ensure Hulk's victory. Still enslaved, Thor attempts to convince Hulk and Valkyrie to help him save Asgard, but they are initially unwilling.
Eventually, Thor, Banner (after transforming back from Hulk), and Valkyrie escape Sakaar with the help of Loki and other gladiators, including Korg and Miek, who stage a revolution. They return to Asgard to find Hela's forces attacking Heimdall and the Asgardian citizens. Thor, battling Hela, loses his right eye and has a vision of Odin, who helps him realize that Hela is too powerful to be defeated conventionally. Odin's wisdom reveals that only Ragnarök itself can stop her. Thor makes the difficult decision to send Loki to trigger Ragnarök by placing Surtur's crown in the Eternal Flame. Surtur is reborn, destroying Asgard and, in doing so, killing Hela. Aboard the Grandmaster's spaceship, the Statesman, Thor, now king, reconciles with Loki and decides to lead his people to Earth, accepting the destruction of their home world as a necessary sacrifice to save his people.
