Terminator Salvation
Movie, 2009, Judgment Day, Set in 2018
Terminator Salvation is #5 of 8 in release order and #4 of 8 in chronological order in the Terminator.
The story
All grown up in post-apocalyptic 2018, John Connor must lead the resistance of humans against the increasingly dominating militaristic robots. But when Marcus Wright appears, his existence confuses the mission as Connor tries to determine whether Wright has come from the future or the past -- and whether he's friend or foe.
Terminator Salvation recap
In 2003, Marcus Wright, a convicted murderer, donates his body to the scientist Serena Kogan before his execution. In 2018, after Judgment Day, John Connor is a resistance soldier, not yet the leader, and Skynet is collecting humans for its research. Marcus wakes up in the ruins with no memory and befriends a teenage Kyle Reese, who is captured by the machines. Marcus saves a resistance pilot, Blair Williams, but is caught in a minefield at the resistance base and revealed to be a cyborg. John, who knows that Kyle must live to become his father, makes a deal with Marcus to rescue Kyle from Skynet's headquarters in San Francisco. Inside, Marcus learns he was designed to bring John there. He tears out his own chip.
Terminator Salvation ending explained
Marcus and John rescue Kyle and destroy the base, though a T-800 badly wounds John's heart. Marcus gives his human heart to John and dies. The resistance survives and John leads the fight on.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Terminator Salvation
Terminator Salvation isn't on a US streaming service right now. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 6.5/10, Rotten Tomatoes 33%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, before Terminator Genisys.
- Chronological order: after Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, before Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.
What to watch before Terminator Salvation
Nothing. Terminator Salvation (2009) doesn't continue an earlier version, so it stands on its own. Terminator Salvation itself is optional in the Terminator order.
Cast
- Christian Bale as John Connor
- Sam Worthington as Marcus Wright
- Moon Bloodgood as Blair Williams
- Helena Bonham Carter as Serena
- Anton Yelchin as Kyle Reese
- Common as Barnes
- Zach McGowan as Soldier on Osprey
- Bryce Dallas Howard as Kate Connor
- Jane Alexander as Virginia
- Michael Ironside as General Ashdown
- Ivan G'Vera as General Losenko
- Dorian Nkono as David
Directed by McG.