God of War: Kratos’ True Turning Point

Kratos and Freya are two parents bound by love—but divided by their choices. Freya’s overprotection doomed Baldur, while Kratos must decide if he will repeat the cycle with Atreus. In this deep dive into God of War (2018), we analyze how love, control, and trauma shape the fate of sons and fathers alike.

What is it like raising children in a world filled with gods and monsters?

If his title didn’t already suggest it, Kratos, the God of War, is a complex parent. He’s moody, emotionally reserved, and struggles with immense anger issues. Yet, despite his flaws—and his tendency to solve problems with an axe—God of War delves deep into themes of fatherhood, cycles of trauma, and the challenge of breaking free from the past. 

At the heart of the game are two contrasting parents: on one side is Kratos, the stoic Spartan, and his son Atreus, a young boy on the brink of discovering his true nature. On the other side is Freya, the protective and well-intentioned goddess, in an attempt to protect her son, placed a spell on Baldur that made him invulnerable to all harm—but also stripped him of the ability to feel anything at all.

Spoilers ahead for this 2018 game.

Preparation vs Protection

The first meeting between Kratos and Freya is not one of hostility but of necessity. After Atreus accidentally shoots Freya’s wild boar, Kratos and Atreus help her heal the animal.

This encounter sets the stage for one of the game’s core thematic contrasts: Kratos, a stern father, and Freya, a nurturing mother.

Analysis of Dialogue:

• Freya’s nurturing yet commanding tone is evident when she says:“He’s my friend… Hold here. HOLD, I said. He’s losing blood. The last of his kind in all the realm and you shoot him.”This line conveys her protective nature but also hints at her need for control—a trait that will have devastating consequences for Baldur.

• Kratos’ blunt pragmatism surfaces when he says:“The boy was following my command.”This reflects his stoic demeanour and his desire to shield Atreus from blame, even as he remains wary of Freya.

Symbolism of Freya’s Home:

• Freya’s home, a lush and vibrant sanctuary beneath a giant turtle, symbolizes nurturing care but also serves as a metaphor for her overbearing love.

• The contrast between Freya’s home and Kratos’ brittle cabin underscores their differing approaches to parenthood: one seeks to shield against the harshness of the world, while the other seeks to prepare.

The subtext in this scene begins to reveal Freya’s duality. Her desire to protect stems from love, but her need for control foreshadows the darker consequences of such protectiveness. This clash of philosophies on parenting—protection versus preparation—is a recurring theme that will come to a head in the game’s climax.

Be Better

The climactic confrontation between Kratos, Freya, and Baldur is deep and layered. It serves as both a dramatic battle and a meditation on the devastating effects of unresolved parental trauma.

Freya’s Protective Love:

Freya pleads with Baldur to stop his assault, even as he curses her for her perceived betrayal.

Freya - “I couldn’t let you die! You HAVE to understand!”

This line exposes her intent, but her refusal to listen to Baldur’s pain demonstrates how her love has become a prison. She possessed a parenting style defined by nurturing yet ultimately suffocating love. This moment is a tragic reminder that good intentions are not enough—love must also include understanding and respect for autonomy.

Baldur as a Reflection of Atreus:

Baldur’s torment is a mirror of what Atreus could become if Kratos fails to break the cycle of emotional repression. Kratos watches this dynamic unfold, realizing the danger of letting his own fears and hesitations define his relationship with Atreus. This moment is a turning point for Kratos, as he begins to see the consequences of unresolved trauma firsthand.

After Baldur’s death, Freya’s grief is palpable. She cradles her son’ body and vows, ‘I will rain down every agony, every violation imaginable, upon you.’

This moment underscores the cyclical nature of pain and vengeance. Freya, once a victim of Odin’s cruelty, now perpetuates the cycle by seeking revenge against Kratos.

Freya’s grief solidifies her role as a cautionary figure—her inability to let go of control leads to Baldur’s tragic end. For Kratos, this is a moment of clarity: the realisation that his legacy need not mirror the failures of others. It’s a lesson in the transformative power of self-awareness and the courage to change.

Atreus - ‘Is this what it is to be a god? Is this how it always ends? Sons killing their mothers… their fathers?’ 

Kratos - ‘No. We will be the gods we choose to be, not those who have been. Who I was is not who you will be. We must be better.’

This moment reveals Kratos’ growth as a parent. He acknowledges his past but emphasises the importance of breaking the cycle and forging a new path for Atreus. This moment is the culmination of Kratos’ journey from a god of war to a father striving for redemption.

Two Sons

Let’s take it back to the beginning of the game. Baldur’s first meeting with Kratos is pure chaos. He arrives uninvited, taunting, probing—completely fearless. He throws the first punch, and when Kratos fights back, Baldur relishes in the violence. This isn’t just arrogance. This is a man who has been denied something essential: choice.

Freya’s love for Baldur was fierce, but it was also suffocating. She cast a spell to protect him from harm, but in doing so, she took away his ability to feel anything—pain, pleasure, warmth, even love. Baldur’s entire existence became a prison, built from his mother’s fear. 

What we see in his battle with Kratos is the result of that overprotection: a man so desperate to reclaim his agency that he would rather die than remain trapped.

Now contrast this with Atreus. Kratos is far from a perfect father—he’s slow to trust, his lessons are often brutal, and he withholds affection even if wants so badly to give it. 

When Baldur comes knocking, Kratos’ initial instinct back then was much like Freya, to protect his son from harm, as well as from the truth. 

But despite all that, he never takes away Atreus’ ability to feel. He lets him struggle, lets him fail, lets him grow. Even when Kratos fears what Atreus might become, a force of destruction, he does not cage him. He teaches him. He guides him.

This is the core difference between the two sons. Baldur was stripped of his pain, and in doing so, was stripped of his humanity. Atreus, despite all his hardships, is still allowed to be a boy. To feel loss, joy, anger, and love. And through that, he has the potential to become something greater.

Ultimately, God of War asks an essential question: Do we parent from fear, or from faith? Do we protect out of our own trauma, or do we prepare out of trust? The game suggests that the healthiest path is a balance—shielding when necessary, but letting go when it's time. Because at the end of the day, true love isn’t about keeping someone safe from everything. It’s about making sure they are ready for anything.

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