Is Zootopia 2's Twist Good Enough To Distract From 1 Nota...

Is Zootopia 2's Twist Good Enough To Distract From 1 Notable Criticism?

Judy running while Nick tries to catch her in the background in Zootopia 2Credit: MovieStillsDB

By Brandon Zachary Published 4 minutes ago Brandon Zachary is a Lead Writer for Screen Rant's New Movie Team. He also writes or has written for Comicbook.com, CBR, That Hashtag Show, Just Watch, and TVBrittanyF. Brandon is an Emerging Screenwriters Semi-Finalist, co-writer of a Screencraft Quarter-Finalist, a seasoned on-screen interviewer, and a MASSIVE nerd. You can reach him at [email protected] Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

The following contains spoilers for Zootopia 2Zootopia 2 has basically the same plot twist as the first film, but does it just a bit better. Both Zootopia films are functionally family-friendly riffs on noir mysteries. Each film focuses on a by-the-books detective and a street-wise con-man uncovering a conspiracy, complete with tense chases, dark histories, and secret villains.

That last element is key to a good mystery story, with all the misdirects in the world ensuring that audiences don't catch the true villain until their plan is almost complete. Zootopia and Zootopia 2 both embrace this kind of turn to the point where the new film even comments on it, and it works both times.

Zootopia 2's Big Twist Is Basically The Same As The First Film

Judy Hopps looking at something alongside two other characters in Zootopia 2

Judy Hopps looking at something in Zootopia 2

Both Zootopia films basically deploy the same plot twist, but there's enough of a structural difference that they don't feel like carbon copies. In both Zootopia and Zootopia 2, the true villain of the narrative is revealed to be a character who initially presented themselves as a sympathetic ally to the heroes.

In Zootopia 2, that's Pawbert. The Lynxley family are the central threat of the film, a powerful and wealthy lineage that is revealed to be a ruthless group that has spent over a century manipulating, stealing, and killing their way to the top. However, Pawbert initially seems to be a sweet-natured outlier.

He spends much of the film's second act trying to help Judy and Gary find the patent that Gary's mother made years prior, which would prove that reptiles are responsible for one of the most crucial aspects of Zootopia's construction. By the climax, Judy even admits to Pawbert that she's nervous because she was betrayed before.

This is when Pawbert admits he knows and then does the same thing, giving Judy a potentially fatal dose of snake venom in a bid to frame Gary and locate the patent so he can destroy it. It's functionally very similar to Bellweather, the seemingly meek sheep from Zootopia who was eventually revealed to have orchestrated the city-wide conspiracy.

In each case, the character shifts from meek to dangerous, with both actively using weapons meant to frame the death of Judy as the work of another hero. In both cases, the heroes are able to overcome the villain and expose their actions. However, there are more differences than similarities, and that's why the sequel's twist still works.

Zootopia 2 Uses A Similar Twist To Tell A Different Story

While both films deploy a functionally similar twist, both films do it differently enough that they stand on their own. In Zootopia, Bellweather is revealed to be a cold and calculating character. She lacks any sympathetic qualities by the time she's captured, something that leaves her cartoonishly evil in her appearances in the sequel.

By contrast, Pawbert is actually given a bit more depth before his betrayal. Pawbert is a bit of a dope, in stark contrast to his cocky and cool siblings. He's belittled frequently, and his goofy introductory scene endears him to Judy and the audience. It gives audiences a genuine reason to believe his heroic turn.

Even his betrayal is presented as one of desperation and reluctance. Pawbert is visibly freaking out when he does the deed, sounding genuinely remorseful that multiple innocent people have to die. His betrayal is also not just a quest for power, but an attempt to earn respect and acceptance.

It makes him a deliberate contrast to Judy. Both characters are underestimated and belittled, with the weight of expectation on their shoulders but no confidence put in them. However, while Judy remains committed to her belief that the world can change for the better, Pawbert just wants a better place in a broken system.

Zootopia 2 spends more time with Pawbert post-betrayal too, with Bellweather's reveal quickly leading to her more dastardly acts and ultimate defeat. Pawbert gets more time to double down on his decision, ignoring multiple attempts to get him to give up and ultimately earning his more painful defeat.

While they may structurally be similar, to the point where the film itself addresses the repeated act of betrayal at the center of the plot, both Zootopia films use the betrayal to express different themes. Bellweather's reveal plays into the first movie's focus on people not being what they initially appear, turning the meek sheep into a cunning villain.

By contrast, Zootopia 2's themes are largely rooted in a person's responsibility to others, whether that be on a personal level between partners or a larger conspiracy to unhouse an entire community to continue expanding a personal kingdom. Bellweather wants to manipulate and change a system; Pawbert just wants to be part of the system.

It all means that Pawbert's betrayal hurts more on an emotional level. It feels more like a genuine betrayal, a friend becoming the villain instead of just an ally revealing their true colors. Zootopia 2 may repeat the basic tropes of Zootopia's plot twist, but does it in a much more fulfilling way.

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Like Follow Followed Zootopia 2 PG Family Comedy Crime Adventure Animation 10/10 Release Date November 26, 2025 Director Byron Howard, Jared Bush Writers Jared Bush

Cast

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Ginnifer Goodwin Judy Hopps (voice)
Jason Bateman Nick Wilde (voice)

Genres Family, Comedy, Crime, Adventure, Animation Powered by

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Zootopia 2
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