Threatened by slavers, the Kingdom of Dahomey is protected by a legendary all-female unit of warriors led by the powerful General Nanisca.
An epic tale unfolds as a young Nawi (Thuso Mbedu – TV’s The Underground Railroad, Shuga) inveigles her way into the crack unit, initially struggling with the intense physical training required. Overseen and supported by Izogie (Lashana Lynch – No Time to Die, Captain Marvel), Nawi is determined to impress Nanisca (Viola Davis – Widows, Fences), a woman who has her own problems with a threat to her position in the court of King Ghezo (John Boyega – Star Wars, Detroit). But that all pales into insignificance compared to the threat from the Europeans and other local tribes with slavery returning great riches.
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Secret Life of Bees, The Old Guard), The Woman King is a visceral and confidant epic as the women go to war, battling past personal tragedies, internal political struggles and the determination of the slavers to decimate the wealth and people of Dahomey.
Shockingly ignored by the 2023 awards season (particularly Prince-Bythewood).
Rating: 72%
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