THE WOMAN KING

We enter the world of The Woman King on the brink of war, as The Agojie, an all female tribe of Dahomey warriors brutally take down a band of Oyo Empire slavers, and rescue their kidnapped woman.

It is a powerful introduction to the world. One which is dark and ferocious, and sets the tone for next two hours.

Slavery is an important theme throughout the film, and I appreciated that the filmmakers did not shy away from Dahomey’s role in the slave trade. It was only in my reading after watching the film that I came to realise how much of this was based on truth, but the addition of it in the film helped to flesh out the world. This is not a film with a binary sense of good and bad, but one which blurs the lines, and this helped raise the authenticity of it. While we are firmly on the side of the Dahomey people, we have to also come to terms with the fact they sell those they capture to slavers. They are not innocent, but without this trade their cities, and their people, may die. 

It is a strong statement that The West did not just trade in African people, but that in a number of ways forced African people to become complicit themselves. 

This is an uncomfortable idea that has not much been explored in Hollywood, though hopefully The Woman King may open the doors for more.

Viola Davis gives a powerhouse of a performance as leader of The Agojie General Nanisca. Her performance is as fierce as her character, and while she wears her scars as a badge of honour, she also carries the trauma and horror that she has seen in her life with her. You can hear it in every word, and see it in every step. She is someone who has had to fight not only her enemies, but those around her as well, to get where she is, and despite her status, still has to bend the knee to a man who believes he knows better. 

Davis also shows that - at 57 years of age - she is still more than capable of handling an action role. For someone who has spent much of her career, especially in recent years, in more dramatic roles, it is exciting to see her get to flex her talents as an action star.

Alongside Davis is Thuso Mbedu as Nawi, a new recruit to Nanisca’s all female warriors. After refusing to consent to an abusive arranged marriage, she is “gifted” to the king (John Boyega) by her father. 

Mbedu is a breakout star. While she has worked in TV for a number of years, The Woman King is her first film role, and she makes her presence felt. Right from the start, as we see her rebelling against her father, we see the same fierce attitude we have in Nanisca. While Nawi’s is a less disciplined fire, it is ever present, and sees the two bond, despite the Generals obvious frustration.

But for me, the standout of The Woman King is Lashana Lynch. In my first review for this site, of last years No Time To Die, I spoke of how impressed I was with Lynch’s performance, and here we get to see her carry a role with substantially more weight. 

As Izogie, a veteran Agojie, she bridges the gap between Nanisca and Nawi. Between the old and the new. Offering counsel to one, and mentorship to the other. 

She is a proven warrior, and you see this throughout, but she also has a lighter side, which allows her to break through to Nawi. 

The lighter moments, however, become more and more noticeable due to how few and far between they become; Because The Woman King is a brutal film. The fight scenes are bloody and cruel, with more than a couple of moments where I was forced to look away from the screen, and the depictions of how characters treat each other, especially in the flashes we see of Nanisca’s past.

The choreography of the action is also worthy of praise. Where it is the experienced solidity of Davis’ Nanisca or the scrappy exuberance of Nawi it always feels authentic. During the scenes of close combat it is easy to keep track of the geography of the fight, never allowing the crowded battlefield to overwhelm the camera.

The Woman King manages to blend interesting themes and heart stopping action to create one of the must see films of the year. 

It may be, for a number of reasons, an uncomfortable watch, but come awards season expect The Woman King, and Viola Davis in particular, to clean up.