X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)

X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019), an American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics characters, serves as both a sequel to 2016’s X-Men: Apocalypse and the twelfth installment of the overall series. However, it also marks the final chapter in the prequel films. The story begins in 1975 when eight-year-old Jean Grey loses her parents in a fatal car accident, an event that triggers her telekinetic powers for the first time. She is then taken under Professor Charles Xavier’s wing at his School for Gifted Youngsters with the promise of learning how to control her mutant abilities. Jumping ahead to 1992, we find the X-Men called upon by the president to rescue astronauts onboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour during its inaugural mission. In this dangerous situation, Jean is struck by an energized beam that amplifies her psychic powers but also makes them increasingly difficult to manage as she struggles with deep emotional turmoil. It is revealed that Xavier had suppressed Jean’s memories of causing the car crash as a child to protect her from psychological harm, but now those mental blocks are breaking down, resulting in symptoms of PTSD and uncontrollable power surges.

After experiencing visions of her father, Jean returns to her hometown and is shocked to find him still alive after supposedly perishing in a car accident that also killed her mother. As she recovers her memory, she realizes that it was her own uncontrollable powers that caused the tragic event. The arrival of the X-Men leads to a confrontation where Peter Maximoff is injured and Xavier uses his telepathy to temporarily freeze everyone for Raven Darkhölme to persuade Jean to come home. However, a violent surge of telekinetic energy results in Jean accidentally killing Raven. Seeking help with controlling her abilities, Jean turns to Erik Lehnsherr at Genosha, a safe haven for mutants. But their peaceful moment is interrupted by the arrival of military helicopters demanding Jean’s surrender, resulting in Erik banishing her out of anger. Alone and struggling with her emotions, Jean is approached by Vuk, leader of shape-shifting aliens known as the D’Bari. It is then revealed that the cosmic force Jean absorbed had destroyed the D’Bari planet and it was now drawn to her uncontrollable powers.