WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Mortal Kombat, in theaters and on HBO Max now.
2021's Mortal Kombat reminds fans that Raiden is a god, and as such, isn't easily impressed or emotionally moved by human troubles. Differing from previous adaptations in the Mortal Kombat film franchise, the reboot depicted the thunder god as distant, interacting with Earthrealm's warriors as more of a judgemental surveyor than a helpful guide.
Although fans of 1995's Mortal Kombat might miss Raiden's quippy banter and inspirational speeches -- his sidelined approach benefits the ensemble cast by allowing Liu Kang, Kung Lao and Sonya Blade to take center stage as leaders. Most importantly, the 2021 film leaves room for Earthrealm's warriors to change Lord Raiden's viewpoint of humans in future films.
Most of 1995's Mortal Kombat is spent with Raiden. The thunder god explains what Mortal Kombat is, protects his Earthrealm fighters from Shang Tsung trying to kill his warriors before or between matches and acts as a moral compass for Liu Kang. In the 2021 film, however, the Earthrealm warriors educate, recruit and train each other.
It's not Raiden who explains to newcomer Cole what the tournament is but Sonya Blade, who has been secretly documenting the interdimensional fighting event for years. It's not Raiden who trains the Earthrealm warriors but Liu Kang -- who is resolute in his mission to defend Earthrealm -- and Kung Lao. Although Jax doesn't receive too much of a leading role, he's still the person who saves Cole's life multiple times from Shang Tsung's assassination attempts.
In the Simon McQuoid directed film, Raiden honestly does very little. Despite two acts -- saving Hanzo Hasashi's child and bringing Hanzo's blade to Cole during an unfair attack by Sub-Zero -- Lord Raiden strictly holds to not intervening in Earthrealm business. While he provides some quips as he watches his fighters fail, he doesn't show any signs of caring for them as individuals.
However, that choice fits with his character if it's acknowledged that he is a supreme being who sees his overall work as an eternal duty, not necessarily a passionate mission to save Earthrealm. In addition, a part of Raiden's perspective is mirrored in the audience's viewpoint as well. Viewers don't know this particular cast of characters and are also asking what will make their take on saving Earthrealm any different.
Screenwriter Greg Russo previously told CBR that he wrote Mortal Kombat as one in a trilogy of films, and if future films were to follow, it's entirely possible that Raiden will spend more time with his Earthrealm warriors and become attached to them -- like the audience -- and alter his demeanor. However, for now, Raiden is more curious watching his warriors make decisions on their own than necessarily caring about growing closer to humanity.
Directed by Simon McQuoid and produced by James Wan, Mortal Kombat stars Lewis Tan as Cole Young, Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, Josh Lawson as Kano, Tadanobu Asano as Lord Raiden, Mehcad Brooks as Jackson "Jax" Bridges, Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Chin Han as Shang Tsung, Joe Taslim as Bi-Han and Sub-Zero, Hiroyuki Sanada as Hanzo Hasashi and Scorpion, Max Huang as Kung Lao, Sisi Stringer as Mileena, Matilda Kimber as Emily Young and Laura Brent as Allison Young. The film is now in theaters and on HBO Max.