Scorpion is arguably the most iconic character in the entire Mortal Kombat franchise, due in large part to his status as a demon of rage, capable of harnessing the powers of the Netherrealm. Scorpion plays a major role in 2021’s Mortal Kombat, despite his sparse presence merely bookending the film, relinquishing the spotlight to newcomer Cole Young. And while Scorpion’s legendary powers are still displayed in all their glory in Simon McQuoid’s adaptation, the new film doesn’t go into much detail as to what exactly the Netherrealm is and the relationship it has with the former Hanzo Hasashi.
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In the lore of Mortal Kombat, the Netherrealm is most easily understood as a variation on the Abrahamic concept of Hell, or the Underworld of various ancient mythologies. Designed to eternally punish the evilest of souls, it is an infinitely sprawling realm of lava and fire, and even though Hanzo Hasashi is depicted as a family man, it’s his soul’s boundless commitment to vengeance upon the slaying of his family that dooms Scorpion to an eternity in Mortal Kombat‘s Hell, the Netherrealm.
Once Hanzo Hasashi descends into the Netherrealm, however, it’s this thirst for revenge that allows him to master the Hellfire that surrounds him and become the wraith known as Scorpion. It’s from this mastery that Scorpion’s most…
