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Reworking traditional expectations of a fairytale and subverting cliches is not a new concept in filmmaking. Netflix’s Damsel, which bears a resemblance to Hulu’s upcoming film The Princess, manages to do so without becoming overly pleased with itself. Instead, it maintains a lively pace and avoids getting too caught up in its own cleverness.
The plot of this story has few surprises and suffers from a lack of creativity, as writer Mazeau’s script could have used some unexpected twists. However, there is a sense of satisfaction in watching a protagonist fight against all odds and seeking revenge. The main character, Elodie, portrayed by Millie Bobby Brown, begins her journey in a state of turmoil. Her family, led by her father (Ray Winstone) and stepmother (Angela Bassett), is struggling and her people are in need of a miraculous solution. This solution comes in the form of an offer of marriage from a prince (Nick Robinson) of a distant kingdom, guided by a strong-willed queen (Robin Wright). However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the happy ending is actually an unhappy beginning, with the wedding serving as a part of an ancient ritual in which Elodie is sacrificed to a dragon. Romance turns into horror as Elodie must fight for her safety and find her way back to civilization.
It’s a tweenage riff on a classic left-for-dead revenge tale and in a subgenre that has been done to exhaustion, watching a young woman endure this same physically gruelling rise-to-action-hero status does feel at least superficially fresher (in comparison to another bride-finds-out-wedding-is-sacrifice thriller, it’s far more effective than 2019’s Ready or Not, a film far too pleased with itself to care if we’re as entertained).
Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, a Spanish filmmaker known for his work in genre films, directs Damsel, his return to Hollywood after a hiatus since his poorly received 2011 horror movie, Intruders. The film follows Elodie as she learns about the importance of independence and resourcefulness over the love of a prince on an adventure filled with simple pleasures. This feminist take on the classic tropes also features strong female characters like the queen, Elodie’s stepmother, and a female dragon. The use of three older female actors allows them to shine in their roles, including an impressively icy performance from Robin Wright and superb voice acting from Oscar nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo. While young actress Millie Bobby Brown can come off as overly emphatic in her line delivery and emotions, it works in films like Enola Holmes, but in Damsel, it can feel a bit forced and unrealistic at times. However, when the role calls for her to switch from words to action, Brown excels.
Although there are instances where the overall scenery may seem artificially enhanced, Damsel manages to steer clear of many visual cues that would remind us that we are watching a mockbuster on Netflix instead of a genuine blockbuster. The world is engaging, although it could be further explored, and the dragon moves with greater grace and fluidity compared to other computer-generated monsters typically seen in these types of films. While the dreariness of the cave setting can become repetitive and some plot points towards the end may feel predictable, it is thankfully well-illuminated.
If Damsel does not completely alter the storybook, it presents a capable adaptation of it, an exciting tale of revenge that delivers a subtle but uplifting message for its younger female viewers and a soothing experience for older audiences who were fed the same outdated gender stereotypes. This time, there is a bit of reality mixed in with the fantasy.
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The film “Damsel” can now be streamed on Netflix.
Source: theguardian.com
