The Warhammer 40,000 episode of Prime Video's end of Secret Level episode 5, I was fully convinced that Warhammer needs to be on the big screen as soon as possible.

Henry Cavill, who is known for playing Superman in Man of Steel and Geralt in The Witcher, is an avid Warhammer fan. He's such an outspoken enthusiast that Cavill confirmed Warhammer has begun development recently, and the film adaptation of the franchise is actually making progress. Now that Secret Level's Warhammer adaptation is out, however, I just can't wait for Henry Cavill's movie to hit theaters, and my patience is lower than it's ever been.

Secret Level's Warhammer 40,000 Episode Is Fantastic

Secret Level Perfectly Depicted The Brutal Efficiency Space Marines Are Known For

The main reason I need to see Henry Cavill's take on Warhammer 40,000 is because Secret Level's was fantastic. Every single second of the 16-minute-long episode was firing on all cylinders. From the speed of the space marines to the blood-soaked action and the unique blend of sci-fi and fantasy, Secret Level completely understood Warhammer. Even the title of the episode, "And They Shall Know No Fear," is an exquisite reference to Warhammer lore. I audibly said "hoo boy" several times while watching it because it was just that cool.

Secret Level's Warhammer episode wasn't just cool, though, it was also so thematically and visually rich. In just 16 minutes, Secret Level created and almost fully developed Bladeguard Sergeant Metaurus, and in the process of explaining his backstory, added a tremendous amount to one of the most famous space marines in the franchise, Demetrian Titus. The depiction of the Daemon Sorcerer's ability to kill people with their worst fears was also such an ingenious way of diving deeper into the space marines' psyches. Secret Level provided such a concise yet densely packed story, it was truly impressive.

Henry Cavill's Warhammer Could Build On Secret Level's Success

Cavill's Warhammer Movie Could Learn From Secret Level's Expert Depiction

Secret Level wasn't just great on its own, however, it could be great for Henry Cavill's take on Warhammer 40,000 as well. Warhammer is truly massive, and there are hundreds of ways Cavill's movie could approach the sprawling franchise. One of the biggest problems the movie likely faced was figuring out how to start, and Secret Level may have helped tremendously with that. Secret Level's Warhammer episode could serve as a blueprint for Cavill's movie with regard to themes, visuals, and action. It already showcased all the biggest things that make a Warhammer adaptation work, now Cavill's movie just has to do it again.

What Makes Warhammer So Compelling

The Warhammer 40,000 Universe Is Vast & Filled With Great Stories Of Brotherhood & Warfare

There's a lot to love about Warhammer 40,000. It basically redefined futuristic military strategy and massive space-opera warfare on a scale that has rarely been replicated. Warhammer also filled its universe with such diverse and complex factions, from the chaotic and silly Orks to the adrenaline-pumping Space Wolves, that it feels completely alive. Adding to its varied military components is all the grimness of the far future, from the body horror of servitors to the nightmare fuel that is certain xeno species like the Slaugth. Warhammer is a bottomless pit of great lore and world-building, and it can get as dark as you want it to.

Warhammer is a bottomless pit of great lore and world-building, and it can get as dark as you want it to.

For all the darkness of Warhammer 40,000, however, there are some surprisingly relatable themes inherent to the franchise. Space marines, for example, are all about brotherhood and companionship among soldiers. The Imperium is also dripping with messages about faith, and often find their faith challenged. On top of all that, though it's set in the far future, Warhammer has an enormous amount of things to say about contemporary politics, from theocratic regimes to humanity's role in a massive universe. Warhammer 40,000 is quite literally so big that there's something for everyone in its world.

I Need A Warhammer Movie More Than Ever

Secret Level Wasn't Long Enough - I Need At Least Two Hours Of Warhammer On A Big Screen

There was only one big problem with Secret Level's depiction of Warhammer 40,000: it wasn't long enough. It provided a great glimpse into the myriad of stories and epic battles Warhammer is capable of containing, but it was only a glimpse. I feel confident that Henry Cavill's Warhammer movie can take all the things that make the franchise so endearing and flesh them out with a longer runtime. I need to see an entire Imperium campaign play out, and I feel like a feature-length film is the only way to do such a massive assault justice.

There's also never been a better time for Cavill's Warhammer to succeed. This year has had some of the best video game adaptations ever. Shows like Fallout and Arcane set a precedent that video game adaptations can stay faithful to the games they're depicting, but they can also tread new ground in a thoughtful and engaging way. It almost feels like Hollywood has cracked the code to making successful video game adaptations, especially after years of failed attempts. It makes me very hopeful that Cavill can follow suit and use the lessons Fallout and Arcane clearly learned to make a great movie.

With any luck, Secret Level may not just continue Warhammer 40,000's popularity but actually enhance it.

One major advantage Henry Cavill has that should help his Warhammer movie succeed is that he's a dedicated fan of the franchise. Cavill clearly loves all the things that make Warhammer 40,000 so beloved, and his ion should translate well into film, as long as he can avoid the studio and writer interference he got on his last video game-based ion project, The Witcher. Hopefully, the positive reception of Secret Level's take on Warhammer will make such interference less likely. With any luck, Secret Level may not just continue Warhammer 40,000's popularity but actually enhance it.