Damsel Review: A Modern Spin on the Distressed Damsel Tale
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| Damsel Review |
Introduction:
Damsel, the latest film on
Netflix, features Millie Bobby Brown as Elodie, a princess who has been tricked
into being literal fodder for a fire-breathing dragon. Directed by Juan Carlos
Fresnadillo, Damsel offers a fresh take on the damsel in distress trope, with a
strong, self-reliant female lead.
Damsel Movie Trailer
Plot:
Elodie, a plucky young princess,
agrees to an arranged marriage, only to discover she is to be sacrificed to a
giant, fire-breathing dragon. Trapped within a labyrinth of tunnels and
catacombs, Elodie finds herself in a life-or-death battle of wits with the
beast if she is to avoid the same fate that has befallen dozens of young women
before her.
Cast:
Millie Bobby Brown delivers a
powerful performance as Elodie, evolving seamlessly from prim and proper
princess to resourceful action heroine. Shohreh Aghdashloo lends her
distinctive gravelly timbre to the dragon, transforming a potentially primitive
beast into a tenacious and worthy adversary. However, the rest of the cast is
reduced to shallow, insignificant stereotypes, with stilted dialogue and stiff
regal accents preventing the film from achieving the postmodern feminist
stature to which it aspires.
Themes:
Damsel treats Elodie as an
action hero for our less gender-rigid times, eliminating distress from the
title and placing her squarely in control of her fate. The film adheres to
codes that can feel calculated, but role models like Elodie remain all too rare,
and if the movie changes the way young women say the word damsel going forward,
then it's moved the needle.
Critical Reception:
Critics have praised Millie
Bobby Brown's performance, with the New York Times calling her a testament to
the power of a strong, intelligent, and resourceful female lead. However, the
film's underpowered story and occasionally unconvincing effects have been
criticized, with Rotten Tomatoes giving it a mixed reception from both critics
and audiences.
Conclusion:
Damsel is a pleasantly disruptive fantasy story that places Millie Bobby Brown's Elodie squarely in control of her fate. While the film has its flaws, it offers a refreshing perspective on the classic damsel in distress trope, with a strong, self-reliant female lead who can fend for herself. If you're a fan of Millie Bobby Brown or enjoy action-packed fantasy stories, Damsel is worth a watch.
Summery:
Damsel is
a Netflix film starring Millie Bobby Brown as Elodie, a princess who is
sacrificed to a dragon. The film is a modern take on the damsel in distress
trope, with a strong female lead. The cast includes Shohreh Aghdashloo as the
dragon's voice, but the rest of the cast is underdeveloped. The film's themes
revolve around Elodie's empowerment and self-reliance, which is refreshing.
Critics have praised Brown's performance, but the film's story and effects have
received mixed reviews. Overall, Damsel is a modern and enjoyable fantasy story
with a strong lead, but it has its flaws.
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