"Dark Phoenix" is a 2019 superhero film directed and written by Simon Kinberg. It is the twelfth installment in the "X-Men" film series and serves as a direct sequel to "X-Men: Apocalypse" (2016).
The film adapts the iconic "Dark Phoenix Saga" storyline from the X-Men comics, focusing on Jean Grey (played by Sophie Turner), a powerful mutant who begins to develop incredible psychic abilities after a space mission gone wrong. As Jean struggles to control her newfound powers, she becomes increasingly unstable and dangerous, leading the X-Men to confront a threat unlike any they have faced before.
As Jean's powers spiral out of control, the X-Men must grapple with difficult decisions and face off against a mysterious alien shapeshifter (played by Jessica Chastain) who seeks to manipulate Jean for her own sinister purposes.
"Dark Phoenix" received generally negative reviews from critics, who criticized its plot, pacing, and lackluster execution of the iconic storyline. Despite a strong cast and visual effects, the film underperformed commercially, grossing only $252 million worldwide against a production budget of around $200 million. It marked the final installment in the mainline "X-Men" film series before Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox, which led to the characters being integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.