The Scorpion King (2025) reboots Jonathan Herman’s ancient epic, reimagining Mathayus (Dwayne Johnson) as a modern mercenary with Akkadian roots. Hired by a desert cartel, Mathayus uncovers a relic awakening scorpion hordes, allying with seer Cassy (Kelly Hu) and warrior Balthazar (Michael Clarke Duncan). The plot scorches through dunes, battling cult leader Memnon (Steven Brand), who blends sorcery with drones. Flashbacks tie Mathayus’ immortality curse to his brother’s death, fueling his vengeance. Subplots entwine Cassy’s visions of a doomed oasis and Balthazar’s loyalty, with a mid-film betrayal stranding them in a sandstorm.

The climax erupts in a pyramid siege, where Mathayus shatters the relic to end the curse. Herman’s gritty direction blends practical stunts with CGI swarms, though myth dilutes in modern trappings. Johnson’s prowess roars, Hu’s mysticism enchants, Duncan’s strength grounds, and Brand’s menace bites. A sandy thrill for action fans, it modernizes but lacks depth.