‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ Post-Credit Scene Explained

The world of superhero movies has always been known for having post-credit scenes that are meant to advance the storyline of the greater superhero cinematic universe and connect the different movies together. In the case of ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ it goes without saying that this film is the final DCEU movie before the upcoming DCU reboot headed by James Gunn. Despite that, the movie still has a post-credit scene, and that’s what we are here to talk about.

Arthur’s relationship with Orm

When the trailers of ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ were announced, one of the things that fans were quick to notice was Orm’s involvement in the movie’s narrative, especially in relation to how he was going to work alongside Aquaman throughout the film. We know that they were never friends in the first movie because Orm served as the main antagonist before Arthur defeated him and took the throne of Atlantis from him.

But in ‘The Lost Kingdom,’ Arthur needed Orm’s help because he knew that his brother was the only one who could help him find Black Manta, who had stolen orichalcum from Atlantis and was intent on using this substance to heat up the earth’s surface. Orm, of course, allowed Arthur to free him from his imprisonment and decided to help his brother because David Kane’s actions were also poisoning the waters and killing the people of Atlantis.

As such, a good part of the movie focuses on the dynamic between Arthur and Orm. Instead of a sibling rivalry, however, the dynamic zeroed in on how the brothers were still getting to know one another, especially because they never got the chance to actually talk to one another like brothers. This was the first time that they actually got to hang out, talk, and bond despite the circumstances being less than ideal.

While they were on their way to Kane’s base in the Devil’s Deep, Arthur talked about how he missed eating food that only surface dwellers eat. After all, he grew up as a surface dweller instead of an Atlantean. At that point, the only thing he could think about was enjoying a burger and a pint of beer. But Orm, who spent his entire life in the seas, wasn’t even familiar with whatever Arthur was talking about.

Arthur wondered if Orm had ever actually tried giving the surface world a shot. It became apparent that Orm never once tried to live on the surface. He didn’t even know how to run because he wasn’t used to doing so. As such, Arthur urged his brother to try living on the surface to eat the food that surface dwellers were known to eat.

However, Arthur saw a large cockroach while they were trekking to Manta’s base. He tricked Orm into thinking that this was a normal delicacy among regular humans, and Orm actually took the bait. The former Ocean Master ate the cockroach and somewhat enjoyed it.

Fast-forward to the conclusion of the movie, Arthur realizes that his brother has redeemed himself. He allowed Orm to walk free instead of putting him back in prison. But he urged his brother to live a normal life and to try to lay low for a while because Arthur wanted everyone to think that Orm had died in the fight against Manta.

Arthur eventually decided to reveal Atlantis to the entire world. While that was happening, Orm could be seen enjoying the life of a normal human being on the surface. He ordered a cheeseburger and actually enjoyed it like any surface dweller would. The film concluded with Aquaman delivering a speech to the UN, urging the surface dwellers and the Atlanteans to work together in harmony.

What happens in the post-credit scene?

Unlike most superhero movies, ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ only have one post-credit scene. This is similar to ‘The Flash,’ which only had one post-credit scene as well. Ironically, ‘The Flash’ included Aquaman in its post-credit scene.

However, in the post-credit scene of ‘The Lost Kingdom,’ there were no cameo appearances. In fact, the post-credit scene isn’t important at all but is still a heartwarming sight to see because it gives people a good perspective into Orm’s character.

The post-credit scene shifts back to the scene where Orm is enjoying his cheeseburger. A cockroach crawls by, and he somehow takes it and adds it to his burger. Orm enjoys his burger more than he does now that the cockroach has added a crunchy element.

Of course, this scene adds no value to the greater DCEU whatsoever because it was only a comedic scene that shows us how Orm really doesn’t know anything about the surface world. The scene also allows us to understand more of Orm’s character now that he is ready to start a simple life anew and is ready to try out what the surface world has to offer.

It goes without saying that a post-credit scene that progresses the story would make no sense because ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ is the final DCEU movie before the DCU reboot under James Gunn’s leadership. That’s why the movie’s post-credit scene doesn’t really contribute to the story at all but was simply an added comedic touch to the movie.

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