Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft | Season 2 Official Trailer | Netflix
Look, let's be real: this show isn't trying to be a carbon copy of the games. It's doing its own thing, and for the most part that works. Hayley Atwell (movies and tv series) gives Lara a voice that feels lived-in - tough, curious, a little wounded - and she carries scenes in a way that makes you care about the character even when the plot gets pulpy.
Season 2 leans into globe-trotting adventure: stolen Orisha masks, an obsessed billionaire with shadowy motives, and a hunt that pulls Lara deeper into mythology than into treasure-hunting clichés. Think big set pieces, small human moments. Jonah and Zip are back to provide muscle, banter, and grounding; Sam (a welcome addition) helps shift the show toward the team dynamic it's been hinting at. And yes, the series still nods to the Crystal Dynamics survivor trilogy while trying to stretch Lara into legend.
Here's what I mean: there are episodes that pause for a breath - a private grief, a quiet flashback, a conversation that feels earned - and then there are episodes that sprint straight into danger. The contrast keeps things from feeling flat. Sometimes the emotional beats land harder than the mystery beats, and that's okay. The show wants us to buy the people (movies and tv series) before the mythology takes over.
Animation-wise, Powerhouse's fingerprints are obvious. The anime-influenced style gives action a nice punch and a moody atmosphere. But it's not always flawless - some scenes feel gloriously kinetic, others a tad stripped-down. Maybe it's just me, but I found the tradeoff often worth it: cleaner lines and bold staging can make a chase or a puzzle read better than trying to clutter everything with detail.
Music and sound do a lot of heavy lifting. The score mixes orchestral sweep with electronic edges, which keeps the show feeling modern without losing its cinematic ambitions. It's the kind of soundtrack that makes the stakes feel bigger than a cartoon and more like a proper adventure movie in episodic form.
And here's a small but important thing: continuity matters. Bringing Jonah back from the games and keeping ties to Lara's earlier journey gives the show credibility with longtime fans while still being approachable for newcomers. The writers don't assume you've memorized the game canon, but they reward you if you have.
Criticisms? Sure. The pacing can wobble - a couple of episodes rush through plot beats that deserved a minute more, while others linger. The villainous billionaire is intriguingly enigmatic but could use sharper motivation at times. And if you expect hyper-detailed animation every single scene, you might come away disappointed. Those are quibbles, not dealbreakers.
Verdict: this season feels like a satisfying close to a two-season plan. It leans into character more than spectacle at the right moments, and when it does let loose, it's genuinely fun. If you like Lara as a complicated, bruised, stubborn hero and you don't need photorealism to feel stakes, you'll probably enjoy the ride. If you want a perfect adaptation of the games down to the smallest tomb relic, this might not be that.
Final thought: there's a warmth to this version of Lara that surprised me. She's a wreck sometimes, a hero other times, and often just human. That balance is what keeps the series moving - and why I'm glad it exists.
Quick hits
- Standout: Hayley Atwell's voice work - grounded and empathetic.
- Plot hook: Stolen Orisha masks, mythic stakes, a billionaire antagonist.
- Style: Anime-influenced animation - stylish, occasionally minimalist.
- Sound: Big, hybrid score that lifts the action.
- For who: Fans of character-driven action and game-to-TV adaptations that take some creative detours.
