A common observation that’s been made about Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is that it’s not exactly on par with Mad Max: Fury Road. While I can understand this assessment, I can’t call it a valid one. Within the first 10 minutes, it’s abundantly clear that Furiosa’s objectives as a film are significantly different to Fury Road’s.

Apart from a climax that’s a little overdrawn and the occasional diversion from its titular character, I have few genuine complaints about Furiosa. In my opinion, it’s a perfect companion piece to Fury Road.

Snatched from her home, a young Furiosa (Alyla Browne) is raised by the conniving warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth). As she matures into womanhood, she (Anya Taylor-Joy) learns the law of the wasteland while Dementus competes with Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme) for control of its resources. The conflict that develops eventually gives Furiosa the opportunity to not only return home but to punish the man who took her from it.

The Characters

I watched Fury Road a few nights before seeing Furiosa, which turned out to be a big mistake. Furiosa is a perfect prequel because it tells a story that happens before the one we know without indulging in references to the latter. It’s better to watch Furiosa before Fury Road because what you learn in the former recontextualises everything you see in the latter, from characters to vehicles to props even.

Despite knowing who Furiosa becomes and what happens between her and Immortan Joe, she’s not boring or predictable. The little girl we meet in the opening is a far cry from the fighter we know. This young Furiosa is interesting to watch because of what she has to learn and endure to become the Furiosa we meet in Fury Road. We’ve never heard of Dementus and we don’t know if Furiosa will be successful in giving him what he deserves.

I think good prequels show you something new about a character or characters. Some new information that makes you see them differently. For this reason I think Furiosa is a great prequel, watching it makes watching Fury Road even better.

I hate to say it but Dementus is a lot of fun to watch. He’s not the most competent leader but he’s no less charismatic or dangerous. His determination to conquer Immortan Joe takes him far, which you can’t help but admire. He also kills his own men and revels in torturing prisoners. Any admiration for him is evened out by disgust. If Immortan Joe is a cold, calculating psychopath then Dementus is a rabid, impulsive egomaniac.

Hugh Keays-Byrne’s absence in the role of Immortan Joe is impossible to ignore but Lachy Hulme does his best to capture Byrne’s tone as the character and can be appreciated as a faithful interpretation.

It’s great to see the Immortan’s family and associates in their element; from his hulking son Rictus Erectus bullying the War Boys to the nipple twitching People Eater keeping track of the Immortan’s finances. Everything Fury Road could only suggest in a few shots gets fully fleshed out here.

The Worldbuilding

The Bullet Farm and Gastown look beautiful. With the Immortan’s citadel, they form a trinity of wealth that attracts clans from all over the wasteland.

Dementus’s encounters with other tribes, the Immortan’s included, paints a diverse picture of humanity in the apocalypse. The Mad Max films vary so much in look, it’s hard to imagine them all taking place in the same world, especially when you go from Beyond Thunderdome to Fury Road. However, seeing each clan with their own distinct look and style strengthens the series somewhat as a single canon.

No, it’s not Fury Road but it’s not supposed to be. It’s supposed to be what it is; a standalone film chronicling Furiosa’s journey from orphan to Imperator. I highly recommend it. Whether you’re a Mad Max fan or not, it’s worth seeing.

I give Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga a furious 9 out of 10.