Thor: Love and Thunder may be as funny as any of Taika Waititi’s films, but it also deals with death, loss, and resignation. Although plagued with jokes, the recently premiered fourth installment of the Thor saga in the MCU is also an emotional movie, full of moments that will tug at the viewers’ heartstrings.
Gorr, Jane (aka Mighty Thor), Valkyrie, and Thor Odinson are tridimensional characters who have gone through a lot in their lives. Their complexity, together with the fantastic performances of the Thor: Love and Thunder cast, makes for many moving scenes that show the audience that these gods have a very human side.
Careful! Spoilers for Thor: Love and Thunder ahead.
10 Gorr Losing His Daughter Was A Bitter Beginning
Thor: Love and Thunder opens with a daunting scene where Gorr carries his daughter throughout the dessert, stopping only to pray to Rapu for salvation. Incapable of withstanding these conditions, the girl dies in her father’s arms after telling him she’s tired. The scene ends with Gorr sobbing quietly as he holds the lifeless body of his daughter.
Although Gorr is one of the most dangerous Thor villains, the film makes the audience empathize with him from the very beginning of the film. At this point, the villain hasn’t been corrupted yet, so his almost human looks help the viewers see him only as a man going through one of the saddest things a father can endure, the death of their child.
9 The Asgardian Kids Looked Miserable In Their Cage
To lure Thor, Mighty Thor, and Valkyrie into the Shadow Realm, Gorr attacks New Asgard and kidnaps all the town’s children. Thanks to the powers of Axl Heimdallson, son of the deceased Guardian of the Bifrost, the superheroes are able to save the kids. Before this, however, Gorr gives them nightmares forever by killing one of his minions in front of them.
By the end of the film, Thor powers all the kids up by enchanting their improvised weapons, so the children get to feel empowered in front of the monster. However, before this, they all look entirely traumatized while in the cage. Any viewer who paid attention to their faces surely felt compelled to help them.
8 Valkyrie’s Portrayal Reminds The Fans Of The Character’s Complexity
While Thor and Jane discuss their future as a couple on their trip to the Shadow Realm, Valkyrie and Korg share a heart-to-heart inside the boat. In this conversation, she confesses that she isn’t yet ready to date again after her last romantic fiasco. In addition, both Gorr and herself comment on how much she misses her sisters, the deceased Valkyries.
While previous films showcase Valkyrie as more muscle than anything, Thor: Love and Thunder makes a point to remind the audience that she has gone through a rough time in the last years, just like Thor. Neither of these scenes is particularly emotional, but it’s tough to realize how lonely Valkyrie must often feel.
7 Fans Learned Jane’s Mother Died Of Cancer Too
Fans see the contrast between Jane’s sick human form and her god-like might while she prepares to leave New Asgard around the 40-minute mark in the film. In this scene, after she drops Mjolnir, she reverts into her human form. At this moment, she remembers her mother telling her that she shall never stop fighting.
This scene is particularly telling of Jane’s stubbornness when it comes to Mjolnir. But additionally, since her mother also had cancer, it reveals that this isn’t Jane’s first time dealing with this disease in her life, which makes her battle more difficult to watch. This revelation, combined with Jane’s decaying corporeal form, adds an extra layer of powerlessness to her situation.
6 The Film Recounts All The Losses Thor Has Suffered
After introducing Gorr’s story, Thor: Love and Thunder recalls Odinson’s glories, even before the MCU, while reminding the audience that Thor’s only love has always been Jane Foster. Additionally, this sequence recounts all the losses that Thor has suffered.
Granted, since Waititi himself is narrating this sequence, it isn’t exactly emotional. Instead, it’s supposed to be funny. However, underneath the jokes, fans indeed felt the pain of Thor’s suffering throughout his time in the MCU, which includes losing his whole family and his planet – one of the 10 realms – Asgard.
5 The Moment Odinson Realizes Jane Is Gonna Die Is Brief But Very Powerful
In the climax of the final battle, Gorr finally pins Odinson against the floor with his sword, ready to kill the God of Thunder. However, Mjolnir arrives and saves him. Behind it, the Mighty Thor arrives riding Warsong, Valkyrie’s loyal steed. This epic moment occurs right after Jane and Thor learn that she will die if she transforms into Thor one more time.
Given this, Odinson mutters, “No…,” suddenly aware of what’s coming. Regardless, he understands the Mighty Thor’s assistance is the only way to defeat Gorr. Both gods share a small but significant look before charging back into battle. This intense moment is the preamble to one of the saddest deaths in the MCU so far.
4 Gorr’s Desperation When He Found The Oasis Was Too Much
After his daughter’s death, Gorr stumbles upon an oasis in the desert. Starved and tired, he jumps right into the river to quench his thirst. Gorr then crawls on his knees towards a bunch of ripe fruit and starts eating desperately. Here, he meets Rapu, who only mocks and humiliates him for believing in eternal reward. This is literally Gorr’s villain origin story.
Christian Bale does a terrific job conveying Gorr’s animal desperation when eating and his naive relief when he sees Rapu for the first time. Although the scene ends in a slaughtering, after witnessing Gorr’s daughter’s death, viewers can’t help to root for the God Butcher. Especially considering how despicable Rapu is.
3 Jane Reaching For Mjolnir Made Her Look So Vulnerable
After an epic battle against Gorr in the Shadow Realm in which Valkyrie is injured, and with Stormbreaker gone, Team Thor backs out, taking the Bifrost to New Asgard. After losing Mjolnir mid-flight, Jane is back into her ill human form. Desperate and somewhat ashamed of Odinson’s seeing her like this for the first time, she crawls towards Mjolnir but faints before being able to transform into Thor again.
This moment finally reveals the consequences of Mjolnir on Jane’s body. After a whole movie of seeing her as one of the mightiest Marvel warriors, her feeble attempt to reach Mjolnir simply hits too hard. Of course, a great deal of this scene’s effect comes from Natalie Portman’s heart-wrenching acting.
2 Gorr’s Final Redemption Was Unexpected, But Incredibly Sad
The emotional climax of the film features Gorr’s ultimate wish for Eternity. Instead of asking for total god obliteration, Thor convinces the God Butcher to bring his daughter back to life, which he does. However, this isn’t a happy ending for him. Since he isn’t connected to the Necrosword anymore, the man dies in his daughter’s arms while crying with joy.
Given Gorr’s obsession with death until this point in the film, fans definitely didn’t expect him to be redeemed, but it happened. In the end, Thor: Love and Thunder managed for the audience to share in Gorr’s happiness, even if it was for a fleeting, bittersweet moment.
1 Jane’s Death In Thor’s Arms Signals The End Of A Great Love Story
After sacrificing Mjolnir in order to pulverize the Necrosword, Jane Foster gave up her last hope in life. Without the hammer to power her, she finally succumbs to cancer in the arms of Thor Odinson. But, before closing her eyes for the last time, she reminds the God of Thunder to “keep his heart open” to love.
Jane’s death is, by far, the most emotional moment of Thor: Love and Thunder. After a love story 10 years in the making, Jane and Thor rekindle their love only to have it taken away by fate. This last goodbye occurs after Jane sacrifices herself in battle, dying a hero.