Between the blue skin, glowing eyes, and braided queues, it’s easy to lose track of who’s who in Avatar: The Way of Water. Here’s how to tell Jake and Neytiri’s growing brood-and the rest of Pandora’s next generation-apart at a glance.
Much like the original 2009 Avatar, the sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, is full of blue cat-alien people known as the Na’vi. Unlike its predecessor, Avatar 2 focuses a lot on the second generation, specifically the children of former Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and warrior Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña). The two of them have a whole brood of kids, plus a human tagalong. It’s all fun and family bonding until about halfway through the movie, when you realize the names of all the kids blurred by at the beginning of the movie, and it’s hard to tell who’s who after that. Whoops!
It’s a bit easier to tell the two young Na’vi girls apart, but the boys present a particular challenge. The two Sully brothers rarely – if ever – call each other by their names. They refer to each other as “bro,” and when other characters talk about them, they usually say something like “your son” or “your brother.”
But fear not! If you’ve just watched the movie and you’re still unclear on the names, we’ve broken down which kid is which, which actor plays each kid, and how to tell them apart when you head to the theaters for your second viewing. If you’re reading this for a crash course before the movie, we’ve tried to keep it spoiler-light and rely on visual cues – but be warned! There are still some vague reveals ahead.
[Ed. note: This post contains some mild spoilers for Avatar: The Way of Water.]
Neteyam
Neteyam is Jake and Neytiri’s eldest son, seen as the responsible and protective older brother among the Sully children. He often mirrors his father’s courage and sense of duty, taking charge during tense moments and trying to keep his siblings safe. His calm nature contrasts with his brother Lo’ak’s impulsiveness, and his close bond with both parents highlights the weight of expectations placed on him as the family’s firstborn.
Played by: Jamie Flatters
Neteyem is Jake and Neytiri’s oldest child and firstborn son. Personality-wise, he’s the responsible golden child, the one Jake pushes to take the most responsibility and confides in the most. Jake and Neytiri often ask Neteyam to watch out for his younger siblings and keep them out of trouble. He doesn’t get much time on his own, because like a true older sibling in a narrative, he’s mostly around to provide a contrast to his younger siblings.
Visually, Neteyam and his younger brother almost look the same. The key to telling them apart when they’re next to each other is that Neteyam is taller. Otherwise, Neteyam wears a headband and has more hair, which he keeps swept back from his forehead.
He’s played by Jamie Flatters, who you might know from Netflix’s adaptation of The School for Good and Evil (if you have taste). In that YA fantasy movie, he plays Tedros, the son of King Arthur and the handsome love interest for the two lead characters. Flatters’ other work includes Netflix’s World War II movie The Forgotten Battle and the BBC children’s show So Awkward.
Lo’ak
Lo’ak, Jake and Neytiri’s second son, stands out for his rebellious spirit and deep emotional streak. He often feels caught between two worlds-struggling with his father’s expectations while forming his own identity among the Metkayina clan. His bond with the outcast tulkun Payakan reveals his compassion and sense of loyalty, traits that set him apart from his siblings. Through his conflicts and friendships, Lo’ak grows into one of the story’s most heartfelt and relatable characters.
Played by: Britain Dalton
If the role of the main character fell to one of the siblings, it would be Lo’ak. He’s the second-born child and the younger son. He’s not as obedient or responsible as Neteyam, and he’s way more impulsive. He doesn’t follow Jake’s orders with the same diligence as his older brother. Most of Lo’ak’s arc revolves around how he feels like an outsider in his own family, which is exacerbated by how much he feels like an outsider around the reef-dwelling Na’vi his family visits. But he bonds with an outcast tulkun (alien whale) – and also with the reef clan leader’s pretty daughter, Reya (Bailey Bass). You can tell Lo’ak from his brother because he’s a little shorter; his hair appears to be shaved above his ears to give him more of a mohawk-ish appearance, with some of it pulled back into a half-ponytail; and he usually has a couple of errant braids dangling in his face.
Lo’ak is played by Britain Dalton, who in addition to appearing in a single episode of Criminal Minds (“Boxed In”) back in 2014, also starred in the first season of Amazon’s Goliath. Additionally, he played young Nathan Drake in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End.
Kiri
Kiri stands out among the younger Na’vi for her quiet, reflective nature and mysterious connection to Eywa. She is the adopted daughter of Jake and Neytiri, born from Dr. Grace Augustine’s avatar body, which gives her a deeper link to Pandora’s spiritual energy. Her curiosity often draws her to the underwater life and bioluminescent forests, where she feels a sense of belonging others don’t fully understand. This mystical bond makes her both gentle and perceptive, setting her apart from her more adventurous siblings.
Played by: Sigourney Weaver
Jake and Neytiri’s adopted daughter is the mysterious offspring of Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver), whose avatar body is unconscious and in stasis. She’s very spiritual and in touch with Eywa, the force of life that unites all of Pandora. She’s a bit of a dreamer, which causes some of the reef clan teens to make fun of her.
Her name is Kiri – not Kitty, even though sometimes the way the characters speak makes it sound like the latter. But as far as we know, there are no cats, kittens, or kitties on Pandora. Kiri is the only one of the Sully siblings who does not keep her hair in braids. Instead, she has it in a choppy bob, though some longer strands are braided. Also, since she is a girl, she has some slight covering on her torso – can’t show female-presenting Na’vi nipples!
Kiri is also played by Sigourney Weaver. Yes, that’s right – Weaver plays a teenage version of herself and her own mom in the same movie! It’s pretty rad. If you somehow don’t know Sigourney Weaver, she starred as Ellen Ripley in the Alien franchise and Dana Barrett in the Ghostbusters movies. She also played the warden in Holes.
Tuktirey
Tuktirey, affectionately called Tuk, is the youngest of Jake and Neytiri’s children and often the heart of their family moments. She’s playful, curious, and fearless, constantly tagging along with her older siblings even when danger lurks nearby. Her innocence contrasts the heavier struggles faced by the others, giving the story warmth and lightness. Tuk’s quick wit and emotional honesty make her easy to recognize, often bringing small bursts of humor and tenderness to the film’s intense scenes.
Played by: Trinity Jo-Li Bliss
Tuktirey – or Tuk for short – is the youngest child of the Sully family. She’s the easiest to identify, because she’s the smallest. Her older siblings are solidly young adults and almost as tall as their parents, but she’s absolutely a child. Most of Tuk’s journey involves sneaking around with her siblings when she isn’t supposed to. She has a big heart and loves her family very much, and she misses her forest home.
She’s played by Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, who’s been in a few kid-tailored shows, including Apple TV Plus’ Best Foot Forward and HBO Max’s The Garcias. This is her first theatrical role.
Spider
Spider, the only fully human kid among Jake and Neytiri’s family, stands out with his wild dreadlocks, painted body, and mask that lets him breathe Pandora’s air. Raised alongside the Sully children, he’s brave and curious, often acting on impulse and getting tangled between two worlds-humans and Na’vi. His connection to the family runs deep, but his complicated link to Colonel Quaritch adds tension to every decision he makes.
Played by: Jack Champion
Not officially a Sully kid but definitely part of the gang, Miles “Spider” Socorro is an orphaned human left on Pandora after the humans retreated. He was too young to make the long journey back to Earth, so he grew up with the few remaining human scientists on Pandora, but preferred to stomp through the local jungles with the Na’vi kids. You will absolutely recognize him, because he is the only human child. He also sports dreadlocks, he paints his body to look like a stripy Na’vi, and he runs around in a loincloth. He appears to have a crush on Kiri, which seems to be requited.
Spider is played by Jack Champion. He’s had a smattering of small roles in movies and TV, including a very tiny role as “Kid on Bike” in Avengers: Endgame. Champion is so dedicated to his role in the Avatar-verse that he named his cat in accordance with the Na’vi naming system: Butters “Te Ngeru” Champion, if you were curious.
But wait – there’s more! A lot of The Way of Water focuses on the younger generation beyond the Sully kiddos. The reef clan has kids too! Here are the important ones.
Tsireya
Tsireya is the graceful daughter of Tonowari and Ronal, belonging to the Metkayina clan. Known for her calm confidence and empathy, she acts as a bridge between Jake Sully’s family and the reef-dwellers, helping them adapt to life in the oceanic environment. Her bright turquoise skin, intricate fin-like adornments, and expressive eyes make her easy to recognize among the younger Na’vi characters.
Played by Bailey Bass
You’ll notice Tsireya the moment she appears, because the camera lingers on her as Lo’ak stares at her, starry-eyed. Hey, he’s just a teenage boy and she is a very pretty teenage girl! Tsireya – or Reya for short – is the daughter of clan leaders Ronal (Kate Winslet) and Tonowari (Cliff Curtis). She’s nicer than her brother, and personally helps the Sully kids acclimate to reef life. Like the other sea Na’vi, she has turquoise skin rather than blue skin, a thick salamander-like tail, and thick forearms with fused digits. Her hair also falls in gentle waves down her back, and her eyes are ginormous.
She’s played by Bailey Bass, who starred as Claudia in the AMC adaptation of Interview With the Vampire. Bass is having a great year!
Aonung and Rotxo
Aonung and Rotxo are the young warriors of the Metkayina clan, known for their confidence in the water and their easy camaraderie. Aonung, the son of clan leaders Tonowari and Ronal, often acts as a bold and teasing figure, especially toward the Sully children. Rotxo, his loyal friend, tends to be more laid back and good-natured, balancing out Aonung’s sharper energy. Together, they represent the strength and pride of the reef people while also showing how loyalty can grow beyond clan boundaries.
Played by: Filip Geljo
Aonung is Tsireya’s brother. While Reya is warm toward the newcomers, Aonung is a bit of a dick. He makes fun of Kiri and eggs Lo’ak and Neyetam into a fight. He’s cocky and definitely plays the role of the bully. Like his sister, he has turquoise skin, though he keeps his hair in a braided top bun. Both Aonung and Lo’ak struggle with their fathers’ expectations.
Aonung is played by Filip Geljo, who starred in the Canadian children’s show Odd Squad from 2014 to 2016. It’s a spy show where child agents solve mysteries with math.
The last notable reef clan kid isn’t explicitly related to Reya and Aonung, though he does hang out with them a lot. Mostly, he goes along with Aonung’s plans and follows his lead. He’s the most nondescript of the three, with turquoise skin and short, curly hair. New Zealand soap opera actor Duane Evans Jr. plays Rotxo.
Who plays the voice of each Na’vi kid in Avatar 2
Here are the main Na’vi kids in Avatar: The Way of Water and the actors who play them:
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Neteyam – played by Jamie Flatters.
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Lo’ak – played by Britain Dalton.
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Kiri – played by Sigourney Weaver.
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Tuktirey “Tuk” – played by Trinity Jo-Li Bliss (often credited as Trinity Bliss).
Reef-clan Na’vi teens who are key to the story:
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Tsireya – played by Bailey Bass.
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Aonung – played by Filip Geljo.
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Rotxo – played by Duane Evans Jr..
How old were the child voice actors during Avatar 2 filming
Most of the kids’ exact ages during filming aren’t all officially broken down role-by-role, but a few have been mentioned in interviews, so the picture is approximate rather than precise.
What’s known from James Cameron and press coverage:
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Trinity Jo-Li Bliss (Tuk) – She was about 7 years old when she was cast as Tuk and roughly 7-8 during the earliest performance-capture work, which began around 2017. Later press noted she was about 13 by the time the film released, but the core Tuk material was done when she was still in early grade-school age.
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Jack Champion (Spider) – He was about 12 when he was cast and 12-13 during the initial motion-capture work, also around 2017. Some scenes were reshot in later years (mid-teens), so what you see on screen is a mix of work he did as a younger early teen and as an older teen.
For the Na’vi teen actors (Neteyam, Lo’ak, Kiri, Tsireya, Aonung, Rotxo), the production has talked a lot about filming early so they wouldn’t age up like the Stranger Things cast, but has not widely published their exact ages at the time of specific shooting blocks. We can infer they were all roughly in their early-mid teens during the main performance-capture period (around 2017-2018), but without direct age statements tied to filming dates for each actor, anything more specific would be guesswork.
