Hollow Knight: Silksong — Opening Cutscene Explained

Light spoilers for the opening minutes of Silksong.

Summary

Hornet is bound in a silk cage and escorted toward Pharloom.
She breaks free during a struggle on a bridge, collapsing the span.
She falls into Moss Grotto, the game’s first explorable area.

Beat by Beat

Captive on the road to Pharloom — Hornet is transported in a silk-bound cage by masked escorts, foreshadowing her thread‑and‑needle kit.
Breaking the bonds — She snaps restraints, floods the scene with silk, and turns the ambush against her captors.
Bridge collapse — The fight spills onto a span that gives way, ending the convoy.
First area: Moss Grotto — Hornet awakens at Pharloom’s base in lush caverns that serve as the tutorial stretch and early routing hub.

What It Teases

Silk and tools: story beats mirror systems (repairs/crafting, acrobatic combat).
Ascent, not descent: the fall frames an upward journey through Pharloom—an inversion of Hollow Knight.

Start Area

You begin play in Moss Grotto immediately after the cinematic. For rest points, see Benches in Moss Grotto.

After the Fall: First 10 Minutes Route

Stabilize at a nearby bench (save/rest) and unlock your first map updates.
Scout short loops for early resources and enemies to learn move timing.
Keep an eye out for fast-travel unlocks; read our Bell Beast guide to plan efficient routes later.
If you’re new, skim Getting Started for control tips and UI cues.

Notes & Lore

Lines from the in‑universe poem “Pharloom’s Folly” are associated with the opening, hinting at beauty, peace, and servitude—culminating in an awakening that reveals a “beast’s nature.”

Comparison: Hollow Knight vs. Silksong Openings

Direction of travel: Hollow Knight emphasized a descent; Silksong sets up an ascent through Pharloom.
Protagonist kit: Hornet’s agility and thread mechanics are foregrounded earlier, informing pacing and encounter design.
First biome tone: Moss Grotto’s verdant, mossy palette contrasts with Hollow Knight’s more somber early caverns.

FAQ

Where does gameplay start after the cinematic? In Moss Grotto, at the base of Pharloom, with gentle early combat and platforming.
Is this the same intro shown in older demos? Yes—the released version closely matches the long-circulating event footage (cage → struggle → bridge collapse → Moss Grotto).
Does the opening confirm the game’s structure? Indirectly. The fall sets up an upward journey, contrasting Hollow Knight’s descent.

Tips for New Players

Rest at benches often; they’re your anchor for recovery and routing.
Practice aerial movement early—Silksong rewards confident, forward movement.
Learn enemy timings in short loops before committing to longer paths.
Unlock fast travel as soon as practical: read the Bell Beast guide.
If aiming for completion, preview the 100% route to see how early regions connect.

Map Preview

Need a quick sense of layout before you dive in? Use the embedded map below for bearings, then return here for the recap and links.

Open Interactive Map

Opens the full interactive Silksong map in a new tab.

Open Map

Source

Watch the opening on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkeRVBpGL4U