This movie, about a dutiful damsel who agrees to marry a handsome prince, is an okay dark fantasy movie.
It is a Netflix movie, and that automatically sets a low bar for me. Surprisingly enough, its technical aspects are quite impressive. Mostly good cinematography, good sound, a fantastic score, great visual effects, and good sets and locations combined make sure for a cinematic experience, both visually and sonically.
However, the cast, characters, and storyline detract some of the experience. I personally think Milly Bobby Brown (as Elodie) is miscast. She is not bad, but I do not think she fits the role. I have only seen her from Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019), and I do not remember her performance from that one, but she struggles to convince me in Damsel. Her performance does not feel natural. Alongside the protagonist, Elodie, the characters feel a bit too stereotypical and they make the movie feel gets quite cheesy sometimes, especially because of the antagonist, Queen Isabelle. And last, the storyline has a great potential, but I do not think it chooses the right turns. There are several ways it could have gotten significantly better just with a few adjustments in the directions and choices of the storyline.
In conclusion, while this movie boasts impressive technical aspects with strong visuals, sound design, and score, its characters and story fall flat. The protagonist feels miscast, the supporting characters fall into stereotypes, and the potential of the plot is squandered. With better casting and a more engaging narrative, the movie could have been a much stronger dark fantasy movie.
It is a Netflix movie, and that automatically sets a low bar for me. Surprisingly enough, its technical aspects are quite impressive. Mostly good cinematography, good sound, a fantastic score, great visual effects, and good sets and locations combined make sure for a cinematic experience, both visually and sonically.
However, the cast, characters, and storyline detract some of the experience. I personally think Milly Bobby Brown (as Elodie) is miscast. She is not bad, but I do not think she fits the role. I have only seen her from Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019), and I do not remember her performance from that one, but she struggles to convince me in Damsel. Her performance does not feel natural. Alongside the protagonist, Elodie, the characters feel a bit too stereotypical and they make the movie feel gets quite cheesy sometimes, especially because of the antagonist, Queen Isabelle. And last, the storyline has a great potential, but I do not think it chooses the right turns. There are several ways it could have gotten significantly better just with a few adjustments in the directions and choices of the storyline.
In conclusion, while this movie boasts impressive technical aspects with strong visuals, sound design, and score, its characters and story fall flat. The protagonist feels miscast, the supporting characters fall into stereotypes, and the potential of the plot is squandered. With better casting and a more engaging narrative, the movie could have been a much stronger dark fantasy movie.