The story begins with John Carter returning to Mars after a decade on Earth. He is mysteriously transported to the Barsoomian underworld, the Valley Dor, a place considered sacred by the Martians. There, he discovers a shocking truth: the valley is controlled by the malevolent Therns, a secretive race of self-proclaimed gods manipulating the people of Barsoom for millennia.
Carter is reunited with his friend, the ever-loyal Tars Tarkas, leader of the Tharks, and meets Thuvia, a fierce warrior princess of Ptarth, who is being held captive. Together, they uncover a sinister plot by the Therns to incite war among the Martian races to maintain their dominance. The Therns also control an army of plant men and white apes, making them a formidable enemy.
The central conflict escalates as Carter learns that his beloved Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, is imprisoned in the Temple of Issus, a stronghold deep within the Thern territory. He vows to rescue her and expose the Therns’ lies, rallying Barsoom’s fractured factions to unite against their common enemy.
The journey takes Carter through treacherous terrains, including the deadly Sea of Korus and the haunted ruins of ancient Martian cities. Along the way, he grapples with his newfound identity as a leader and struggles with the weight of Barsoom’s fate resting on his shoulders. His alliances with Thark warriors, Red Martian rebels, and even unexpected allies among the Therns add layers of complexity and intrigue to the narrative.
The climax unfolds in an epic battle at the Temple of Issus, where Carter confronts the Therns and their enigmatic leader, Matai Shang. The film ends with a hard-won victory for Carter and the Martian people, but not without setting up a tantalizing hint of future challenges as the balance of power shifts on Barsoom.
Gods of Mars delivers a visually stunning and emotionally resonant tale, combining high-stakes action with themes of unity, heroism, and the fight against oppression, solidifying its place as a worthy continuation of the John Carter saga.
