Is Kiri the Main Character in Avatar: Fire and Ash?
Avatar: Fire and Ash, releasing on December 19, 2025, brings back the Sully family for another adventure on Pandora. One character who has generated significant interest is Kiri, played by 76-year-old Sigourney Weaver, who portrays the 14-year-old Na’vi character. However, determining whether Kiri is the main character requires looking at the film’s actual focus and structure.
The story of Avatar: Fire and Ash centers on Jake Sully and Neytiri as they face new challenges following the devastating war against the RDA. The film picks up in the aftermath of their eldest son Neteyam’s death, forcing the family to confront grief while battling a new threat: the Ash People, a violent Na’vi tribe led by the ruthless Varang. Jake and Neytiri must fight for their family’s survival and the future of Pandora itself. This narrative structure places Jake and Neytiri at the heart of the story, making them the primary protagonists rather than Kiri.
Kiri’s role in the film is significant but secondary. She is part of the Sully family unit that faces these challenges, but her journey serves as a subplot within the larger family narrative. Weaver has discussed how Kiri experiences her own personal struggles in this film. The character still has difficulty connecting with the ancestors, something that troubles her deeply since this spiritual connection is fundamental to Na’vi culture. Being half-human, Kiri feels disconnected from her people, adding emotional depth to her character arc. However, these personal challenges exist within the context of the family’s broader fight for survival.
Weaver has spoken about the healing nature of playing Kiri during this chapter of the story. She explained that revisiting her 14-year-old self through the character has been therapeutic, allowing her to explore themes of despair and belonging that resonate with young people trying to make sense of a confusing world. Despite this meaningful character development, Kiri remains one member of an ensemble cast rather than the sole focus of the film.
The cast includes Sam Worthington as Jake, Zoe Saldana as Neytiri, Stephen Lang as Quaritch, and Oona Chaplin as Varang, among others. The film’s synopsis and promotional materials consistently emphasize Jake and Neytiri’s journey and their family’s collective struggle, not Kiri’s individual story.
So while Kiri is an important character with her own meaningful arc in Avatar: Fire and Ash, she is not the main character. The film belongs to Jake and Neytiri as they navigate loss, leadership, and the fight to protect their family and their world.
Sources
https://www.cbr.com/avatar-3-fire-and-ash-sigourney-weaver-kiri-age/
https://collider.com/avatar-3-fire-and-ash-zoe-saldana-neytiri-racism-james-cameron-spider/
