Even though James Bond dies in No Time to Die, his death doesn't break the movie's title in a strange refutation. It may initially seem contradictory to use the name No Time to Die for Daniel Craig's final performance as the character, who does not survive the film. Yet, diving deeper into the movie's themes reveals that the title actually works rather well.

As a goodbye to a Bond era, No Time to Die makes sure to tie off all of 007's remaining loose ends. During the film, Bond's old villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld is permanently removed from the story, and Bond also reunites with his love Madeleine Swann just in time to stop Lyutsifer Safin's evil plan. Safin hoped to manufacture and distribute a deadly nanobot virus that targets the DNA of specific people. In the process of stopping him, Bond becomes infected with a version of the virus targeting Swann and their young daughter, meaning he can never come into contact with either of them again without endangering them. Soon after learning this, Bond sacrifices himself to destroy Safin's factory.

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It's somewhat ironic that James Bond dies in a movie called No Time to Die, but, rather than contradicting the narrative, the title does fit his story and character. Throughout the movie, Bond is determined to do whatever it takes to stop Blofeld and Safin. Initially, this drive is simply fueled by his desire to save innocent lives, but Safin later makes the mission personal by endangering Swann and her daughter, who Bond learns is his child as well. Knowing this, Bond cannot stop until he guarantees they are both safe and Safin cannot ever go after them again. Nothing, not even the specter of death, can slow him down when he has such a powerful motivation. Until he ensures that his loved ones are safe, he quite literally has no time to die as he's too busy trying to stop Safin.

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Although No Time to Die's title is seemingly misleading, it could also be drawing attention to the fact that no one is ever really ready to die, regardless of the life they've lived. Bond is finally able to have the option of a life of peace with his family, having saved the world one last time, but just as he approaches the promise of a happy ending, the movie rips his happy ending from him. It's a terrible time to die, but also the best time. Bond's dedication to protecting others remained strong throughout his numerous films, and No Time to Die made it personal. After all, his willingness to risk his own safety is what allows him to dedicate his all to accomplishing missions in the first place. He would never have become such a beloved agent and hero if he spent all of his time playing it safe. Bond couldn't waste time in No Time to Die worrying about whether he'd survive and simply trusted that he'd be able to keep going until his mission was complete. Then, and only then, can Bond rest.

Thus, Bond's death doesn't actually contradict No Time to Die's title. Throughout the movie, Bond proved that he could keep working toward his goal despite an impending end. Only after he fully completes his story, resolving everything left in his life, does it become James Bond's time to die.

Next: All The Clues To James Bond’s No Time To Die Ending