'The Woman King' A Review

 The Woman King is a historical action/drama set in 1823 about the Agojie, the all-female warrior unit that protected the West African kingdom of Dahomey. With the increasing influence of the slave trade and the Oyo Empire encroaching on their lands the Dahomey prepare for war. The film opens on the Agojie, lead by General Nanisca(Viola Davis), attacking an Oyo village and liberating Dahomey who were captured for the slave trade. The increasing political tensions, both within Dahomey and without, are laid out concurrently with the training of the newest recruits of the Agojie.

Davis, as one of if not the greatest actor of her generation, puts in another colossal performance. She's buff, tough, and ferocious but also has incredible emotional complexity. Not only is there rage but there is a mournful weariness about her performance, a search for purpose and redemption. Complicated and soulful. Davis is able to operate on many different levels concurrently and when the film occasionally veers into Hollywood epic territory she always brings it back to the personal, the human. The other stand out is Lashana Lynch as Izogie, an Agojie lieutenant, she was decent in Captain Marvel and No Time To Die but in neither had much to work with. Here she soars. She is physically imposing, strong but fluid, her perhaps most of all is able to capture the lethal grace of the warrior. She also broadcasts this potent infectious humor that is not only very much needed but undeniably magnetic. The rest of the cast are all dynamic and effective with several great turns(notably Shelia Atim as Nanisca's second in command), all in all superb casting.

Visually crisp with a lush production design, it's transportive with an epic scope but a focus on character as seen by the vivid, intricate costuming. An inspiring, thrilling score that pairs both traditional non-diegetic underscoring with diegetic chanting/singing/drumming by the cast, really effective. The film does have some of the modern shakey cam style that at-times obscure some of the(impeccable) fight choreography and there is a not-quite-necessary romantic subplot but those criticisms are minor(perhaps inserted to increase mass appeal) and don't detract from the overall experience.

Potent, immersive, and inspiring.

Currently in theaters coming soon to VOD.

Don't Miss It.