Movie Review: Viola Davis is Awesome as 'The Woman King'

The Woman King (2022)

Directed by Gina Prince Blythewood

Written by Dana Stevens

Starring Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, John Boyega

Release Date September 16th, 2022

Based on a True Story

The Woman King is a lightning bolt of a movie, it strikes fast, it's searing, and when it hits you, you won't forget it. Based on the true story of the Agojie Warriors of Dahomey, the film stars Viola Davis as General Nanisca, leader of a group of female warriors ordained by their King, the recently anointed King Ghezo (John Boyega), as the protectors of the kingdom. Under the leadership of General Nanisca, the Agojie train and prepare for war as much as they prepare for defense. Our first look at the General and her warriors in action is a brutal and fast moving fight as the Agojie take over a village in order to free captives from Dahomey.

This is a clear act of aggression toward the ruling Oya tribe to whom Dahomey has been indebted for years. The Oya have kept a brutal stranglehold over this region of Northern Africa, profiting from selling slaves to Europeans. The Oya practice of conquering villages and selling captives has given the Oya such advances as guns and horses and made them a deathly adversary. Nevertheless, General Nanisca is encouraging her King, King Ghezu, to challenge the Oya and especially to give up the slave trade himself, something he and his kingdom have profited from the Agojie have become a conquering and capturing force.

Meanwhile, a group of female captives from the recently conquered village are offered a choice, walk away on their own, or train and possibly die, as a member of the Agojie Warriors. Among the group is a young woman from Dahomey who has been rejected by her family. Nawi (Thuso Mbedu) is a headstrong 19 year old who has refused to marry and thus been given to the King by her cowardly father. Instead of life as a concubine however, Nawi decides to become a warrior. Taken under the wing of one of General Nanisca's top warriors, Izogie (Lashawna Lynch), Nawi learns the ropes, remains rebellious, but ultimately will prove her valor and ability on the field of battle.

Directed by Gina Prince Blythewood, from a terrific script by Dana Stevens, The Woman King moves quickly but makes plenty of time for this tremendous cast to flesh out these characters. Thuso Mbedu is a revelation as the point of view character, Nawi. Her expressive face carries with it the same shock, fear and wonder we feel watching these incredible warriors train for battle, bond, and provide swift and fierce protection to their kingdom and each other. The growth of Nawi through the story of The Woman King is exciting to watch and the intensely physical performances of each actor is arresting, violent, furious and visceral.

Of course, the standout is Viola Davis as the title character, The Woman King. The story doesn't begin with her as a King but builds to her ascension to sit beside the King not as his wife, but as his equal in stature. The ferocious intensity and delicate artistry that Davis brings to this performance is staggering. Davis is a powerhouse and yet she doesn't oversell it. This isn't bravado, this isn't over the top scene chewing or focus pulling. Davis grabs our attention and holds it with her power and conviction. You can't take your eyes off of her. When it's time to go into battle and she delivers a monologue to inspire her warriors, you want to sprint up to the screen and go to war yourself right behind her.

The Woman King is in theaters as of September 16th, 2022. Find my archive of more than 20 years and nearly 2000 movie reviews at SeanattheMovies.blogspot.com. Follow me on Twitter at PodcastSean and follow the archive blog on Twitter at SeanattheMovies. Listen to me talk about movies on the Everyone's a Critic Movie Review Podcast. If you've enjoyed what you've read, consider subscribing to me here on Vocal. You can also support my work by pledging a monthly donation or leaving a one time tip. Thanks!