Will the Fire Na’vi Be the True Villains?
In the world of Avatar, fans have long seen humans as the bad guys invading Pandora. But with the new movie Avatar: Fire and Ash, a fierce Na’vi tribe called the Mangkwan, or Ash People, steps into the spotlight as possible new enemies. Led by the tsahik Varang, these Na’vi do not believe in Eywa, the great life force that connects all Na’vi clans. Instead, they attack a fleet of flying merchant ships, set them on fire, loot everything, and kill the survivors. This happens right after Jake Sully and his family settle with the Metkayina clan, dealing with the pain of losing their son Neteyam. For more on the plot, check out the details at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar:_Fire_and_Ash.
Director James Cameron hinted back in a 2023 interview that the Ash People would be the antagonists, shaking up the story from past films where humans like Colonel Quaritch took that role. Varang, as the leader, brings a fresh threat since she leads Na’vi who act more like raiders than protectors of Pandora. Jake and Neytiri even get separated from their kids during one of these brutal ambushes. Learn about Varang on the Avatar Wiki at https://james-camerons-avatar.fandom.com/wiki/Varang.
Still, not everyone agrees these Fire Na’vi are the real villains. Some fans argue that Jake Sully himself causes more harm than anyone. In videos breaking down the series, people point out how Jake’s choices sparked the big conflicts. He infiltrated the Na’vi under fake orders in the first movie, leading to the home tree’s destruction. In the second film, humans say the war drags on only because Jake keeps fighting, pulling peaceful clans into the mess. They even blame him for his son Neteyam’s death and say Quaritch tries to save his own son, Spider. Watch this take in the YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fxcw9wpC2MU.
The Ash People’s actions make them look like villains at first, with their fire attacks and rejection of Eywa. Jake rallies other Na’vi clans, even re-bonding with the mighty Toruk, to fight back. But if Jake’s past mistakes keep fueling the chaos, maybe no single group holds the title of true villain. The Metkayina and Tulkun stay pacifist at first, only joining after hearing warnings of more attacks. Spider’s story adds layers too, as he connects with dead Na’vi spirits and gets accepted into their world.
Critics who saw Fire and Ash praised the stunning visuals, strong characters, and wild action, but split on the plot and length. The film’s Australian premiere got canceled due to a real-world event, the 2025 Bondi Beach shooting, but that did not change its release plans.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar:_Fire_and_Ash
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fxcw9wpC2MU
https://james-camerons-avatar.fandom.com/wiki/Varang
