The prequel film Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga explores the origins of one of the most iconic characters in the Mad Max franchise, but it leaves a crucial element of her story untouched: her eventual rebellion against Immortan Joe. The Mad Max series, known for its intricate timeline, becomes even more convoluted with the introduction of this 2024 prequel. Set prior to the franchise’s post-apocalyptic landscape depicted in Mad Max (1979), The Road Warrior (1981), and Beyond Thunderdome (1985), it ultimately leads into Fury Road (2015).
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga introduces audiences to a young Furiosa, set decades after the apocalypse. Interestingly, the film suggests that she is only slightly younger than Max, creating a timeline inconsistency where, according to the prequel and the original film, he should be at least sixty years her senior. Despite the perplexities surrounding the timeline, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga has received critical acclaim, yet it notably sidesteps the pivotal moment where Furiosa turns against Immortan Joe.
Furiosa’s Uneasy Alliance with Immortan Joe
Furiosa’s Conflict with Immortan Joe Is Postponed
Throughout Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, it is evident that by the end of the film, Furiosa remains in league with the ruthless warlord, Immortan Joe. George Miller’s narrative emphasizes Joe’s cruel and unscrupulous nature, mirroring his portrayal in Fury Road. Furiosa’s initial capture places her with Joe’s other female captives, and through cunning and resilience, she ascends the ranks to become a member of his militia, eventually developing a connection with Praetorian Jack.
Despite the brutality surrounding her, Furiosa forges this uneasy partnership with Joe as a means of survival within the Citadel. Although the prequel culminates in a confrontational showdown where she seeks vengeance against Dementus, played by Chris Hemsworth, her immediate ambitions do not include overthrowing Immortan Joe. Following her severe injuries and loss of the map to her home, including the traumatic severing of her arm, her focus remains on survival rather than vengeance.
Time Gap Between Furiosa and Fury Road Remains Ambiguous
Furiosa Rejects Immortan Joe: A Future Decision
The transition from Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga to Fury Road leaves audiences questioning the timeline. While viewers witness Furiosa’s journey, the film leaves unanswered when she ultimately decides to turn against Immortan Joe. This pivotal decision could potentially occur within a span of mere months or years, but character aging in the Wasteland presents a further complication.
Max, portrayed by Tom Hardy in Fury Road, should theoretically be in his sixties, based on the chronological events laid out in the series. The Mad Max universe insists on a peculiar progression of time, leaving room for interpretation regarding character growth and change.
The Decision to Leave the Citadel
Impact of Immortan Joe’s Treatment of Women on Furiosa
A pivotal moment in Furiosa’s evolution occurs as she witnesses Immortan Joe’s treatment of his captives, a theme echoed in both the prequel and the comic adaptations. The portrayal of Immortan Joe by Lachy Hulme bears a striking similarity to Hugh Keays-Byrne’s depiction in Fury Road. In the comics accompanying the earlier film, Furiosa betrays Joe after her understanding of his horrific treatment of these women. However, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga presents an alternate introduction to Immortan Joe’s captives, contradicting the earlier comic narrative.
Ultimately, Furiosa’s exposure to the suffering of Immortan Joe’s wives leads her to determine that she can no longer remain aligned with him. The exact timing of her betrayal remains an open question, contributing to the ongoing intrigue surrounding her character throughout the Mad Max saga.