Edge of Tomorrow
Breaking Boundaries : Exploring the Departure Stage of the Hero's Journey
Start
Synopsis
In a near future, Earth is invaded by an alien species known as the Mimics, which seem unbeatable due to their ability to manipulate time. Major William Cage, a military PR officer with no combat experience, is sent to the battlefield against his will and is quickly killed. However, his death triggers a mysterious time loop, forcing him to relive the same day repeatedly. With the help of skilled warrior Rita Vrataski, Cage learns to use the loop to his advantage, honing his skills and discovering the key to defeating the aliens. Through his repeated attempts, Cage evolves from a reluctant coward to a capable hero, ultimately fighting to save humanity.
The five steps of
The Departure Stage
The Departure Stage marks the beginning of the Hero’s Journey, where the hero leaves their ordinary world to step into the unknown, embarking on a path of transformation.
04 Commitment
04 Guidance
03 Resistance
02 Invitation
01 Ordinary
Crossing the Threshold
Meeting Allies and Mentors
Refusal of Call
Call toAdventure
Mundane World
The Depature Stage
In Edge of Tomorrow, the Departure Stage is a journey of transformation. Cage starts as an ordinary, fearful PR officer in his Mundane World, but the Call to Adventure forces him into the chaos of war. Initially, he refuses this call, showing his vulnerability, but through the guidance of his mentor, Rita, he gains the skills he needs. By Crossing the Threshold, Cage fully commits to the adventure, stepping into a world of danger and growth. These steps are essential to set up his evolution into the hero we see by the end of the film.
Mundane World
In every hero's journey, we start in the hero’s normal, everyday life before anything extraordinary happens. For Major William Cage, this ordinary world is the life of a military PR officer. He works behind a desk, far removed from the battlefield. His skills involve talking to cameras, not fighting aliens. Cage is confident in his role and has no intention of stepping into combat. This setting highlights his lack of heroism at this stage, making his eventual transformation more impactful.
see extract
Call to Adventure
The call to adventure is when the hero is presented with an opportunity or challenge that will push them out of their comfort zone. For Cage, this happens when General Brigham orders him to join the invasion of the alien frontlines. It’s not just a change in location; it’s a complete upheaval of his role, forcing him into a dangerous situation where he must fight instead of promote. This moment is Cage’s push into the unknown, even if he doesn’t know it yet.
see extract
Refusal of Call
This is a classic step where the hero resists the challenge due to fear, doubt, or a desire to stay in their comfort zone. Cage outright refuses the order and tries to manipulate General Brigham to avoid combat. He is terrified and unprepared, making it clear that he does not see himself as a soldier. This hesitation shows his humanity and vulnerability, something the audience can relate to.
see extract
Meeting Allies and Mentor
In this step, the hero finds guidance and support to help them prepare for the journey ahead. For Cage, this comes after he’s caught in the time loop. He meets Rita Vrataski, a celebrated war hero and the only one who understands his predicament. Rita becomes Cage’s mentor, teaching him how to fight, strategize, and use the time loop to their advantage. Without her, Cage would remain trapped in the loop, dying over and over without progressing.
see extract
Crossing the Threshold
This is the moment when the hero fully commits to the adventure, leaving the ordinary world behind and entering the world of challenges. For Cage, this happens when he accepts the reality of the time loop and begins training with Rita to become a better fighter. By embracing his new reality, he starts evolving from a scared, inexperienced soldier into someone capable of facing the alien threat. This step is a point of no return.
see extract
By refusing the Call, Cage shows his fear and unwillingness to change. This is a common reaction in the Hero’s Journey, as leaving the ordinary world is always daunting.
The Mentor figure, Rita, is vital in helping Cage develop the skills and mindset to survive. Her mentorship represents the hero's first step toward transformation.
The Call to Adventure is the moment when Cage is thrown into a world he doesn’t belong to: the battlefield, a space of survival and combat.
The Mundane World introduces Cage as an ordinary, even cowardly figure, completely unprepared for the challenges ahead.
Crossing the Threshold marks Cage’s decision to face his fears and actively engage with the challenges ahead. It’s his first step toward becoming a hero.
Edge of Tomorrow
Gwenaëlle Besson
Created on November 24, 2024
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Transcript
Edge of Tomorrow
Breaking Boundaries : Exploring the Departure Stage of the Hero's Journey
Start
Synopsis
In a near future, Earth is invaded by an alien species known as the Mimics, which seem unbeatable due to their ability to manipulate time. Major William Cage, a military PR officer with no combat experience, is sent to the battlefield against his will and is quickly killed. However, his death triggers a mysterious time loop, forcing him to relive the same day repeatedly. With the help of skilled warrior Rita Vrataski, Cage learns to use the loop to his advantage, honing his skills and discovering the key to defeating the aliens. Through his repeated attempts, Cage evolves from a reluctant coward to a capable hero, ultimately fighting to save humanity.
The five steps of
The Departure Stage
The Departure Stage marks the beginning of the Hero’s Journey, where the hero leaves their ordinary world to step into the unknown, embarking on a path of transformation.
04 Commitment
04 Guidance
03 Resistance
02 Invitation
01 Ordinary
Crossing the Threshold
Meeting Allies and Mentors
Refusal of Call
Call toAdventure
Mundane World
The Depature Stage
In Edge of Tomorrow, the Departure Stage is a journey of transformation. Cage starts as an ordinary, fearful PR officer in his Mundane World, but the Call to Adventure forces him into the chaos of war. Initially, he refuses this call, showing his vulnerability, but through the guidance of his mentor, Rita, he gains the skills he needs. By Crossing the Threshold, Cage fully commits to the adventure, stepping into a world of danger and growth. These steps are essential to set up his evolution into the hero we see by the end of the film.
Mundane World
In every hero's journey, we start in the hero’s normal, everyday life before anything extraordinary happens. For Major William Cage, this ordinary world is the life of a military PR officer. He works behind a desk, far removed from the battlefield. His skills involve talking to cameras, not fighting aliens. Cage is confident in his role and has no intention of stepping into combat. This setting highlights his lack of heroism at this stage, making his eventual transformation more impactful.
see extract
Call to Adventure
The call to adventure is when the hero is presented with an opportunity or challenge that will push them out of their comfort zone. For Cage, this happens when General Brigham orders him to join the invasion of the alien frontlines. It’s not just a change in location; it’s a complete upheaval of his role, forcing him into a dangerous situation where he must fight instead of promote. This moment is Cage’s push into the unknown, even if he doesn’t know it yet.
see extract
Refusal of Call
This is a classic step where the hero resists the challenge due to fear, doubt, or a desire to stay in their comfort zone. Cage outright refuses the order and tries to manipulate General Brigham to avoid combat. He is terrified and unprepared, making it clear that he does not see himself as a soldier. This hesitation shows his humanity and vulnerability, something the audience can relate to.
see extract
Meeting Allies and Mentor
In this step, the hero finds guidance and support to help them prepare for the journey ahead. For Cage, this comes after he’s caught in the time loop. He meets Rita Vrataski, a celebrated war hero and the only one who understands his predicament. Rita becomes Cage’s mentor, teaching him how to fight, strategize, and use the time loop to their advantage. Without her, Cage would remain trapped in the loop, dying over and over without progressing.
see extract
Crossing the Threshold
This is the moment when the hero fully commits to the adventure, leaving the ordinary world behind and entering the world of challenges. For Cage, this happens when he accepts the reality of the time loop and begins training with Rita to become a better fighter. By embracing his new reality, he starts evolving from a scared, inexperienced soldier into someone capable of facing the alien threat. This step is a point of no return.
see extract
By refusing the Call, Cage shows his fear and unwillingness to change. This is a common reaction in the Hero’s Journey, as leaving the ordinary world is always daunting.
The Mentor figure, Rita, is vital in helping Cage develop the skills and mindset to survive. Her mentorship represents the hero's first step toward transformation.
The Call to Adventure is the moment when Cage is thrown into a world he doesn’t belong to: the battlefield, a space of survival and combat.
The Mundane World introduces Cage as an ordinary, even cowardly figure, completely unprepared for the challenges ahead.
Crossing the Threshold marks Cage’s decision to face his fears and actively engage with the challenges ahead. It’s his first step toward becoming a hero.