The story reveals in a time “prior to the advent of mankind” and centers on Mills (Adam Driver), a hired pilot from a distant planet. Following an unexpected asteroid storm that severely damages his ship, Mills finds himself stranded on an uncharted planet.
Initially, he believes all his cryogenically asleep passengers are dead and briefly contemplates taking his own life. However, he soon discovers that one of the passengers, a young girl named Koa (Ariana Greenblatt), has survived the crash.
A crash landing turns into a battle against dinosaurs and time (Photo: 65/Columbia Pictures, Raimi Productions, Bron Creative, and Beck/Woods)What is 65 about?
Upon waking Koa, Mills feels a sense of responsibility to lead her to the emergency escape vessel that had crash-landed over a dozen kilometers away on a remote mountain.
Unfortunately, as viewers quickly learn, they have not merely crash-landed on any planet; they find themselves on prehistoric Earth, which is teeming with dinosaurs. As a result, their escape from this dangerous world proves far more challenging than they anticipated.
Throughout the film’s concise 93-minute runtime, Mills and Koa encounter a variety of dinosaurs, many of which pose lethal threats. As if that weren’t daunting enough, the story reveals in its second act that the asteroid storm responsible for their crash was actually debris from a much larger asteroid hurtling toward Earth. This impending asteroid is the same one destined to exterminate all non-avian dinosaurs on the planet.
Does Adam Driver really battle a Tyrannosaurus rex in 65?
After realizing the danger posed by the incoming asteroid, Mills and Koa hurry to reach their escape vessel before Earth’s surface undergoes total destruction.
Upon arriving at the escape vessel, Koa learns the devastating truth that both her parents perished in the crash that brought her to Earth. Additionally, she discovers that Mills had misled her about her family’s fate. For a brief moment, it seems as though grief and betrayal will irreparably separate them.
However, Mills opens up to Koa about his own tragedy—the loss of his daughter, Nevine (Chloe Coleman), who died while he was on the mission that has now brought him and Koa together.
Although Koa struggles to fully grasp his pain, she recognizes Mills’ vulnerability. Their shared grief helps to reconnect them. Just when they are about to escape Earth, a meteor strikes their vessel, causing it to tumble down from its mountainous perch.
Once on the ground, Mills and Koa find themselves surrounded by three furious Tyrannosaurus rexes. Mills exits their escape vessel and manages to defeat two of the colossal dinosaurs by himself.
However, when his weapon runs out of ammo, it is a timely geyser eruption and Koa’s last-minute intervention that save him from the remaining T-Rex. With only seconds to spare, they sprint back to their escape vessel and take off just as a planet-altering asteroid strikes Earth.
How does 65 end?
As Mills and Koa soar toward the rescue vessel awaiting them among the stars, Mills closes his eyes, reflecting on some of his final moments with his daughter. For a fleeting moment, it appears that the pilot may succumb to the pain of his injuries.
He is jolted back to consciousness when Koa takes his hand, providing a lifeline. The film concludes with an image of Mills and Koa’s ship racing away, becoming yet another speck of light in the vastness of space.
The ending of 65 summarizes the aim of the film. It presents a straightforward, minimalist conclusion that resonates with familiar themes and narrative structures, yet it achieves an emotionally satisfying resolution that is quietly uplifting.
While the film features many thrilling action sequences, it is the bond that Mills and Koa forge through their shared grief that sustains them. Thus, it is fitting that 65 concludes with a powerful image reflecting both connection and solitude in equal measure.
