Damsel has finally dropped on Netflix and some of us are still reeling from the visual appeal it served.
Millie Bobby Brown, the young starlet known for her roles in “Stranger Things” and “Enola Holmes,” returns to the screen playing Princess Elodie, who warns us from the start,
“There are many stories of chivalry where the heroic knight saves the damsel in distress. This is not one of them.”
True to her word, the film does indeed diverge from the expected fairytale narrative, but we can’t say that it’s necessarily to its advantage. Set against a “Princess Bride”-esque backdrop, “Damsel” quickly descends into a darker realm ~ literally.
It attempts to subvert the saccharine tropes of its genre, yet it struggles to find a balance between its feminist undertones and the grim turn of events. The film’s message of female empowerment is clear, but the execution may leave viewers wanting more.
Penned by Dan Mazeau and directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, Damsel begins with a deceptive sweetness before revealing its true colors. Elodie, the obedient daughter of Lord Bayford (Ray Winstone) and his wife Lady Bayford (Angela Bassett), finds herself in a dire situation when she’s married off to Prince Henry (Nick Robinson).
The prince, a less-than-charming suitor, is part of a kingdom that demands a gruesome tribute to a dragon, voiced by Shohreh Aghdashloo, to maintain a luxurious lifestyle.
Elodie’s journey from a hopeful bride to a dragon’s prey is a jarring transition that leaves little room for the whimsy one might expect from such a story.
Robin Wright, who once played the quintessential princess bride, returns as Queen Isabelle, a character far more menacing than any mythical creature. Her portrayal is a highlight, but even Wright’s performance can’t save the film from its monotonous cycle of events.
In conclusion, while “Damsel” boasts a strong cast and a promising start, it ultimately fails to deliver a fresh take on the damsel-in-distress narrative. Fans of Brown may find enjoyment in her performance, but the film’s lack of originality may disappoint those looking for a new classic.
See the trailer below.
