REVIEW: ‘Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft’ Is A Stellar Continuation

Produced by Legendary Television, animated by Netflix Animation staple Powerhouse Animation, and written by Executive Producer Tasha Huo, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft builds on the foundation laid out by the Survivor Trilogy of video games created by Crystal Dynamics (Tomb Raider; Rise of the Tomb Raider; Shadow of the Tomb Raider). With a voice cast that includes Hayley Atwell as the titular and iconic character and Earl Baylon returning as the voice of Jonah, the animated series turns the page into the next chapter of Lara’s life. At the same time, though, the series honors Lara’s past, which has spanned a quarter of a century since her first appearance, and has multiple adaptations into live action.

In Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, Lara Croft has abandoned her friends to embark on increasingly more perilous solo adventures. Trying her best to keep the people she loves out of harm’s way, her isolation is broken when a dangerous and powerful Chinese artifact is stolen from Croft Manor by a thief deeply connected to Lara’s past. In typical Lara Croft fashion, that artifact is dangerous in the wrong hands, leading her on a chase to reclaim what was stolen and stop what could be a devastating result for the world.

Globetrotting is a staple of the action-adventure genre and is core to Lara’s story here. She explores hidden tombs, encounters ancient forces, and uses her instincts to overcome harrowing situations—all hallmarks of the iconic adventurer. While most of Lara’s exploration is done with someone at her side, or at least offering aid, the series excels when we’re given the chance to see what’s going on with Lara internally. Essentially, looking inward to understand who the assertive and confident woman is when alone and without a bottle of tequila to down.

In those moments, we see Lara chart a path forward for herself. While this element feels a little rehashed, given where the story takes place and the events of the Survivor Trilogy, the creative team has reigned it in and focused Lara’s sights on the reality that who you want to be isn’t static and needs to change as you experience more in life.

To understand my review of the animated series, I think it helps to understand my history with Lara Croft. Tomb Raider was the first game I ever beat on my own. Lara Croft introduced me to gaming and was exactly the woman I wanted to be: beautiful, brash, and as kickass as they come. From video games to the big screen in 2001, Lara has been my favorite video game character and has yet to be dethroned. That said, I’d be lying if I said I was immediately in love with Crystal Dyanmics‘ reimagining of Lara Croft. I wasn’t.

The gameplay had been made to be more like Uncharted (the game Tomb Raider inspired), and her new design just didn’t seem to balance who I saw Lara to be. The first game didn’t land; in the second game, this new Lara grew on me. Then came Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and I was inspired again. The platforming, the tombs, the pieces of what I loved were back and more challenging than before.

From there, I wanted to see more of this Lara Croft, and we got a small glimpse of Alicia Vikander’s take on the character in 2018.  And while Angelina Jolie’s portrayal and the original Lara mean everything to me, letting new visions of Lara’s adventures into my life only made my love for the franchise grow. Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft honors Lara’s past and present and charts out a future that long-time franchise fans will deeply understand.

The most exciting thing that Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft does is seamlessly integrate fanservice from the original games right down to the series, beginning with Lara in her Tomb Raider Legend outfit before transitioning to Lara being as bold as can be while dressed to the nines in a gala dress. Lara’s beauty has always been fundamentally rooted in her performance of traditionally masculine characteristics. She’s a gun-wielding adventurer who will smoke any guy in a motorcycle race and drink them under the table afterward. It’s what has been defined across every iteration, and that continues in this animated series. 

At the same time, Lara is also allowed to have vulnerabilities. She grieves and makes mistakes while trying her hardest to hold onto the people closest to her. She is a dynamic character who doesn’t use her personality or circumstance as set dressing but instead informs who she is at every turn.

Throughout the Netflix series, we see Lara evolve. Set after the events of Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Lara has been shaped by her resiliency. However, we see how much she still has to learn through flashbacks of Lara’s past, arguments with Jonah, and a situation that makes Lara’s insecurities manifest. The core part of Lara’s character in Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft is to open up to the world. And yet, with all of the softness we see in Lara’s usual hardened exterior, Lara doesn’t lose her edge. As a lifetime Lara fan, this animated series gets her right.

In addition to adding easter eggs for eagle-eyed fans to find (and some outright big callbacks to iconic moments), Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft can also capture video game mechanics in animation. By fully embracing the action-adventure genre of storytelling, Powerhouse effortlessly adds puzzles that feel right at home in the world of Tomb Raider (both games and films). It’s all here, from bobbing rocks and other platforming to unlocking areas by looking at your environment. As is Lara’s gymnastic flare. Who is Lara if she doesn’t walk to an edge, do a hands-stand, and then drop down? 

But nods to the past aren’t how you make a lasting series, and Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft knows that. By mapping out Lara’s connections to others, the show lays a foundation for exploring more stories with not just Lara but also the extended cast of characters. With so much put into the series that nods at Lara’s history, it’s a wonder it didn’t become like a greatest hits playlist. Instead, we get to know Lara, her world, and her people in a way that may tread some old ground, but we never feel worn down by the stories we know already. 

If there is any critique to be given, the series’ pacing can sometimes feel uneven, with stakes rising suddenly and then too much time passing before the reconciliatory acts. Additionally, some animated action sequences don’t always capture the kinetic aesthetic that Powerhouse Animation has become known for with its duo of Castlevania series.

Ultimately, though, the hiccups are just that: small bumps in the series road that ultimately don’t outweigh the strength of Lara’s character and the overall narrative. Granted, it would be nice to see a story with Lara where she isn’t grieving another father figure.

That said, the environments that we see Lara explore are lush, with jaw-dropping environmental and background art. Lara may become a speck by highlighting the tombs and jungles that Lara explores, but that’s what creates the grandeur and allure of adventure. Vibrant and aged, the animated series’ strength truly comes in the world that’s on display.

Lara’s legacy is vast, and with each new iteration of the character, there is more to love, critique, and explore. If there is one thing that this animated series gets right, it’s making Lara’s life worth exploring deeper. Lara Croft doesn’t exist in a vacuum; she is impacted by her adventures, the people she meets, the cultures she explores, and the loss she endures.

By blending that depth with excitement and action, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft is the animated series I have wanted. It’s Lara beyond the confines of 90-minute movies, and ultimately, there is so much room for more—here’s to hoping for a season two.

Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft is streaming now exclusively on Netflix.