Tom Cruise’s time-loop sci-fi actionerEdge of Tomorrowis one of his absolute best movies, but the reason why his character, Bill Cage, becomes the hero is very unusual. Pitched somewhere betweenIndependence DayandGroundhog Day,Edge of Tomorrowsees Cage going to war against alien invaders, dying horrifically on the battlefield, and reliving that same day over and over again.With each loop, Cage gains more and more knowledge about the invasion, and it could be the key to humanity’s victory over the malevolent “Mimics.”
It’s established that Cage’s commanding officer – the stern-faced General Brigham, played brilliantly by Brendan Gleeson in theEdge of Tomorrowcast– has a grudge against him. But, early in the movie, it’s also made clear that Cage has no experience in a warzone. Therefore, why Cage was sent to the frontlines to fight back against the Mimics in the first place can seem contradictory. However, the film does explain how someone who was not fit for battles ended up on the battlefield against an army of aliens.
General Brigham Sent Cage To Battle Due To His Inexperience In Edge Of Tomorrow
It Was Essentially A Punishment For Cage
At the beginning ofEdge of Tomorrow, it’s established that Cage is a public affairs officer who doesn’t have any combat experience. As the United Defense Force is preparing a massive invasion against the alien-controlled France, General Brigham ordersTom Cruise’s Cage to face deathon the frontlines to cover the offensive. However,Cage tries to avoid going to the battlefield and have the order reversedbecause he’s afraid of facing any real danger. That’s why he went into PR. However, this ends up backfiring horribly for Cage.
The sequel toEdge of Tomorrowhas been stuck in development hell for a decade.
Brigham is so incensed by Cage’s attempt to have his order rescinded that he has him arrested.He demotes Cage to an infantry position and sends him to the battlefield, but not as a PR officer – as a soldier. He’s assigned to serve under Master Sergeant Farell, played by Bill Paxton, in his ragtag unit, the “J-Squad.” If Cage had just followed Brigham’s order, he could’ve gone to the frontlines simply as an observer. But by protesting his order, he ended up having to risk his life.
Why Tom Cruise’s Cage Blackmails General Brigham
Cage Is A Coward Who Was Desperate To Avoid Combat
When Brigham orders Cage to go to the frontlines to cover the offensive, Cage attempts to blackmail Brigham to get him to rescind the order. This is simply becauseCage is a coward who doesn’t want to have to go into an active warzone. Brigham recognizes this cowardice and chooses a punishment that fits the crime: forcing Cage to go to the frontlines as an infantryman. It was interesting to seeTom Cruise play a characterthat was so different from his usual brave, heroic type inEdge of Tomorrow.
Edge Of Tomorrow Time Loops & Ending Explained
Breaking down the Edge of Tomorrow’s ending and explaining how the loopy time travel (day resets) and its potential paradoxes work within the film.
Unsurprisingly, Cage’s first battle goes incredibly wrong, and not just because of his lack of experience or courage. The Mimics knew what was about to happen and were ready to counter humanity’s attack. However, after coming in contact with the blood of an Alpha mimic right before he died, Cage gained powers. As a result, the coward who wanted to stay as far away as possible from the battlefield was forced to become a hero inEdge of Tomorrow.
Edge of Tomorrow
Cast
Edge of Tomorrow features Tom Cruise as Major Bill Cage, an officer unversed in battle, who becomes ensnared in a time loop during an alien invasion. As Cage relives the same day repeatedly, he teams up with a skilled warrior, played by Emily Blunt, to alter the course of the war.
