No Time to Die is the rare Bond film that dares to do the one thing no other entry in the franchise ever has—end. Not just the movie, but the man. It’s an emotional, action-packed, and surprisingly tender conclusion to the Daniel Craig era, and it swings big.
This is a 4.5 out of 5 for me. I really, really liked it. Not just as a Bond film, but as a finale. It honors the grit and vulnerability Craig brought to the role and doubles down on what Casino Royale started: giving Bond a soul, and then letting it break your heart.
Plot: Secrets, Viruses, and the Weight of Legacy
The story kicks off with Bond in retirement, finally letting his guard down with Madeleine Swann. But, of course, peace doesn’t last. An ambush in Matera shatters their relationship, and Bond vanishes—again. Five years later, a nanobot virus designed to target specific DNA strands is stolen by a rogue scientist, and MI6 pulls Bond back into the fold.
As Bond tracks the virus across the globe, he uncovers a tangled web involving SPECTRE, Madeleine’s past, and a new villain, Safin, who wants to play God with selective genocide. It’s dense but cohesive. Unlike Spectre, the plot here balances character stakes with world-threatening consequences. And the personal angle? Hits like a gut punch.
Daniel Craig: Going Out on Top
Craig gives a career-best performance here. He’s weathered, quieter, and finally feels like a man who’s lived the weight of his choices. There’s a gentleness to him in the early scenes with Madeleine and a deep, internal ache once everything starts to fall apart.
His Bond isn’t just a killer anymore—he’s a man trying, for once, to build something beyond himself. And when that’s taken away, again, Craig doesn’t go for rage. He plays it with a quiet resignation that’s devastating. This Bond isn’t trying to win—he’s trying to matter.
Madeleine Swann: Redemption and Regret
Léa Seydoux’s Madeleine gets much more to work with this time, and it pays off. Her chemistry with Craig clicks far more effectively, and their story feels genuinely tragic rather than rushed. Madeleine carries her own secrets and guilt, and Seydoux plays her with layered emotional strength.
Their scenes together feel earned, particularly when the full emotional weight of their relationship is revealed—and yes, the twist involving Bond’s daughter works better than it has any right to. It’s subtle, powerful, and gives the film a reason to go all in on its final act.
Lyutsifer Safin: Vibes Over Depth
Rami Malek’s Safin is more of a mood than a fully fleshed-out character. He’s eerie, whispery, and clearly enjoys monologuing, but he’s not the most compelling part of the movie. His backstory is vague, and his motivations fluctuate between personal revenge and godlike ambitions.
Still, he serves the narrative well enough, mostly by being the final wall Bond has to break through before the emotional conclusion. And hey, he wears a kimono like a Bond villain should.
Nomi, Paloma, and the New Generation
Lashana Lynch’s Nomi, the new 007, is a great addition—competent, sharp, and refreshingly unimpressed with Bond’s legend. Her dynamic with Craig is respectful without ever being deferential. She’s not there to replace him—she’s just doing the job differently.
And then there’s Ana de Armas as Paloma. She’s only in one scene, but she absolutely steals it. It’s fun, kinetic, and maybe the most Bond moment in the whole film. She’s goofy, deadly, and the only character you immediately wish had her own spin-off.
Action and Style: Precision and Poetry
The action here is tight, brutal, and beautifully shot. From the foggy forest shootout to the stairwell brawl in the villain’s lair, everything is shot with clarity and weight. The Matera sequence—motorcycles up staircases, bombs under bridges—is classic Bond spectacle, elevated by real emotional stakes.
Hans Zimmer’s score blends the iconic motifs with melancholy new ones, and Billie Eilish’s theme song nails the film’s tone: weary, haunted, and final.
Final Act: The End That Actually Means Something
Bond’s death is shocking, but not cheap. It’s not for drama—it’s for closure. He chooses to die to protect those he loves, and for the first time in the series, love actually means something. His sacrifice gives the movie a soul, and Craig sells it completely.
It’s not a blaze of glory—it’s a quiet, noble end for a man who finally figured out how to be more than a weapon.
Final Verdict: The End of an Era, and a Damn Good One
No Time to Die delivers action, heartbreak, legacy, and a full-circle emotional payoff. It’s messy in spots, and Safin’s motivations might be paper-thin, but the emotional weight, the performances, and the sheer care in every frame make this one of the best send-offs for any iteration of Bond.
This is Bond, finally human.