Damsel Movie Review
Damsel is a 2024 American dark fantasy film directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and stars Millie Bobbie Brown of the Stranger Things fame. The movie was released on Netflix on the 8th of March 2024.
The story is about a damsel whose arranged marriage to a charming prince turns into a nightmare as it is revealed she is to serve as tribute for an ancient debt….
The Good
I love Stranger Things and am always on the look-out for the cast’s productions outside the series. Millie Bobbie Brown acts her heart out as Elodie… (hmmm does she have a thing about playing characters that begin with L?) The movie’s opening narration foreshadows the plot:
"There are many stories of chivalry where the heroic knight saves the damsel in distress. This is not one of them."
Damsel flips the script on an age old trope from the fairytales of old, which is why Netflix chose to release it in not just Women’s month but Women’s day in solidarity with the sisterhood.
Damsel unfolds like a cross between The Princess Diaries and The Hobbit: The Desolution Of Smaug with some Tomb Raider undertones as Elodie symbolically and literally frees herself from the generational trappings of royalty and patriarchy…
The cinematography is visually stunning and punctuated by a Hans Zimmer soundtrack which enhances the atmosphere and sets the tone of the production.
Robin Wright was a scene stealer as Queen Isabelle a chilling character with a icy demeanor who will calmly praise you and insult in you one breath while reminding you of your obligations.
Of course there is a dragon… what kind of self-respecting fantasy fairytale would not have a dragon?… This one talks with a very haunting lilt voiced by Shohreh Aghdashloo and I found its CGI rendering quite impressive, for the most part.
The Bad
Its predictable.. You know from the opening monologue that there is going to be a damsel and she is going to be in distress and she is going to have to save herself… The major twist is revealed early in the movie, if you have watch the trailer you already know..
The first part of the movie is very slow moving although its important in world building and setting up for what follows… it drags. The movie picks up action and pacing later on where it becomes a claustrophobia inducing survival or escape room movie..
The plot is paper thin, there isnt much to discuss about the movie without revealing the entire movie which underutilises its supporting cast that includes award winners like Angela Bassett
The Ugly
While the movie has some lofty ambitions on breaking stereotypes and empowering female leads, its message rings hollow… Throughout the course of the movie Princess Elodie rips away pieces of her fabric MacGyvering them into all manner of utilities from bandages to weapons.. it could be a symbolic statement on shedding societal expectations and embracing an authentic identity but her resultant outfit seems impractical and more tailored for the male gaze undoing its progress.
Final Thoughts
Damsel has stunning visuals and offers a twist to the damsel in distress trope.. Girl Power! The plot is a bit thin but the cast make what they have work.
Have you watched Damsel? What are your thoughts?
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Your thoughts.. if you will?