THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS OF THE DISCUSSED FILM. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
There is a saying called ‘Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned’. And that something couldn’t be any more relevant today as it was in The Woman King.
PLOT
The film takes place in 1823 Dahomey and follows General Nanisca, leader of the female group of warriors, the Agojie. After one night of liberating Dahomean women from Oyo slavers, Dahomey’s King Ghezo becomes provoked that war must be prepared against the opposing empire. Nanisca would begin training a new generation of warriors to protect the kingdom as Agojie. One of which would include a young woman named Nawi, who was offered by her adopted father after she refused to marry an abusive husband. During training, the warrior in the making would befriend a fellow veteran named Izogie. She would also get to have her chances to speak with the general. Within their first conversation, she would show her her birthmark on her arm, which would only shock her. In Oyo, Portuguese slave trader Santo Ferreira (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) and half Dahomean Malik (Jordan Bolger) would arrive as part of an alliance with General Oba. Nawi would encounter Malik once and would quickly befriend him when he claims to not take part in the trade. Shortly after graduating to be a full fledged Agojie, she would see him again and discover Oyo’s upcoming attack. She would share her discovery to the General, who would berate her recklessness since she could’ve been caught. This does her the chance to share that Oba had raped her years prior, impregnating her a daughter. Before giving her away to keep her safe, she embedded a shark tooth into her shoulder. She would prove that she is her daughter by removing the said tooth from her shoulder. The next day, Nanisca would lead a successful attack on the Oyo, but many Agojie would be captured in the process, including Nawi and Izogie. When another Agojie is able to escape without being seen, she tells the general. King Ghezo would refuse to authorize a rescue mission, resulting in Nanisca to defy him and set out to rescue the captives alongside other like minded warriors. After Izogie would die trying to escape from captivity, Malik would buy Nawi to keep her safe. By night, the rogue Agojie would arrive to the Oyo Empire and rescue the captured. Nawi would take in the fight while Malik frees other slaves that would drown Santo. The conflict would reach an end after Nanisca slays Oba. After the Agojie return from a successful rogue mission, Ghezo would crown Nanisca as Woman King (Queen Mother), an equal partner in ruling Dahomey. The film would end with the general embracing with her daughter as family.
THOUGHTS
There have been many movies to excitingly put me on the edge of my seat, which delights me when I say this one succeeds in doing the same. Director Gina Prince-Bythewood provides a rousing experience of a film, filled with well edited action experiences shown from beginning to end. Each one stands out so well it's hard to pick a favorite. The costume, makeup and production design are so creative I felt like I was sent back in time to this historical period. With all the dedication in display, I think the reason this movie stands out from the many hits that came in 2022 has to be the way the scale feels raised to tell everyone that there is a great leader/warrior within. And as one, you need to be able to trust your gut or you're never gonna get anywhere with what you got to do. This definitely works within the female perspective since the Agojie are the driving force of the story. They are a grand piece of history for their fierceness and bond they share in the battlefield. Seeing the impact they've made in their lifetime and within this story proves how much of an inspiration they've been to pop culture, particularly the Black Panther's Dora Milage from Marvel Comics. Knowing how important it was to feel their presence, it became a grateful gift to have an ensemble to do them justice. Viola Davis is the driving force as the lead Nanisca, reminding us that these women were formidable in the fights that came their way and compassionate with their beliefs. This general always stood out though for embracing nothing but a stone heart, which is only necessary to have the drive to be strong enough to lead. She is one who carries trauma and only uses it to make her stronger willed day by day. Her teachings are so effective because she knows how dangerous the world is and needs everyone prepared for the worst. Little would she expect that she would reunite with her daughter that would put herself in the makings to be as tough as her. You definitely enjoy Nawi because Thuso Mbedu does a great job reflecting her as an ambitious one willing to do anything to prove how strong she is within. Again the last thing that would be expected was an unplanned family reunion, which only makes the scenario bittersweet. The best thing about this mother daughter dynamic is how they were able to make each stronger than before. Seeing the two embrace at the end gave me such a smile you felt the happiness and relief they have in being together safe and sound. Shelia Atim was such a standout in portraying Amenza as the more faithful one of the bunch. Seeing how close she was to the general, it was clear to me that the faith she had the whole time regularly drove them to success. With her standing by her new queen, it is no secret how strong her hopefulness kept going. Lashana Lynch was a great addition as well for playing Izogie as one who is more lenient in comparison to her peers/superiors. Being a warrior isn't gonna be easy, but the best she can do is making everyone feel equally welcome. It was definitely tough to watch her die since her chances felt so slim. Due to how so much respect she got to have in her lifetime, there is no doubt that others like Nawi will keep on fighting in her honor. Considering how iconic these band of women are, it makes it hard to imagine how relevant a man would be in this world and surprisingly there were. John Boyega was a treat in playing Ghezo as tumultuous as you would expect from a king: There is no doubt he cares about his people, but can't stand the risk of it backfiring, hence not approving of the climactic rescue mission. He still coronated Nanisca at the end because he always knew how much she deserved it, thus maintaining his respect towards tradition. While there were men that gave earning respect towards women, there were some that remained barbaric. Jimmy Odukoya was definitely a force to be reckoned with for making General Oba the most relentless villain in this story. You already hate him for taking part in the slave trade, but you'll only get riled up when knowing he raped Nanisca and later be satisfied when she overcame such trauma by slaying him. Nanisca may have been a great leader, but she wasn't the only one to provide needed wisdom. In short, The Woman King is a memorable action drama that knew exactly how to interest you in various ways. You want a story that can motivate you to push your limits? Check this out.
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