Plot Summary

Dan Reynolds swims through a submerged room as the band prepares to perform amid rising water. Rain pours through the ceiling while Imagine Dragons continues playing, even as the set slowly floods. Floating objects and two mysterious, mermaid-like figures turn the performance into an underwater fever dream. After a moment of eerie silence, the band appears lifeless beneath the surface. The video then erupts into a blazing desert performance, transforming drowning anxiety into defiant spectacle.

Factoids & Trivia

The official video was released on October 12, 2017, promoting “Whatever It Takes,” the third single from Evolve. It was directed by Matt Eastin and Aaron Hymes.

The production took place in Las Vegas at the Bellagio Resort & Casino, using the stage of Cirque du Soleil’s aquatic production “O.” Performers from the show also appear in the video.

The visual concept is built around a stark water-versus-fire contrast: the first half suggests pressure, suffocation, and loss of control, while the fiery finale turns the song’s determination into a triumphant image.

The underwater photography was handled by Pete Romano, with Jesse Cain serving as director of photography. Sean Costello was responsible for production design, while the video was produced by Dave Kemp.

The apparently impossible underwater performance was carefully staged rather than simply achieved through visual effects. Reynolds is shown swimming and singing in a flooded environment, while the band remains committed to the performance as the set disappears around them.

Viewers can spot apparent references to The Shining, including matchbooks labeled “The Overlook Hotel” and “Mt. Qualo, Colorado.”

The video’s mermaid-like figures reinforce its dream logic. They are less conventional characters than symbolic forces pulling Reynolds deeper into the song’s claustrophobic world.

“Whatever It Takes” won the 2018 MTV Video Music Award for Best Rock Video, making it one of Imagine Dragons’ most recognized visual releases.

The video was also another collaboration between director Matt Eastin and Imagine Dragons; Eastin had previously worked with the band on videos including “On Top of the World,” “Roots,” “Shots,” and “Believer.”