**Some Plot Spoilers**

The early teaser for Damsel intrigued, and this all-new action-adventure, led by the mighty Millie Bobby Brown, pretty much does what you expect – but with additional grit and a fine turning the tables on the classic fairytale trope and, if anything, re-rooting itself in the darker sides of those stories.

Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, and written by Dan Mazeau, Damsel takes us into the world of fantasy Princes and Princesses, as we follow Millie Bobby Brown’s Elodie into an amalgamation of the Lord of the Rings, a hint of Dungeons & Dragons, and even a momentary vibe of the first-rate Tangled. But, all the while, there’s a lingering incoming twist vibe, and when it inevitably arrives, it’s welcomingly more brutal than anticipated – and it properly works.

We start in flashback, following a company of old-world English soldiers, who do something they shouldn’t in the depth of a mountain, and face the consequential rage from an angry dragon – the latter isn’t revealed in their full nature until later in the film. This sets us up for some time later in the kingdom of Robin Wright’s Queen Isabelle and Milo Twomey’s King Roderick. Here, Elodie (MBB) is sold off by her Father Lord Bayford (a fatherly Ray Winstone) and stepmother Lady Bayford (Angela Bassett), as their Kingdom is broke – and they need to give their red-haired daughter up to save their future.

While this sounds cliched, as it’s a model scenario, it’s key to state that Elodie has agreed this marriage union with Prince Henry (Nick Robinson) to save her kingdom to – it all feels very legitimate. During this arrangement, the film also offers teases of outside events going on as well; there are mazes being drawn and spoken about, Elodie sees a mysterious fire on the side of the mountain, and there’s a strange girl on the balcony across from her room, who seems to disappear on her first night… and so on.

Next day, the marriage is here – and after the ceremony takes place, here’s where the big initial twist we’re all waiting for happens, the evening party is a little different. It’s in the mountain side, the guests are wearing creepy gold masks (always a good sign when characters decide to no longer show their faces) and then they watch as Robin Wright’s Queen force her son to make a blood pact with the new bride and, quite literally, throw her down a well. The reason? This rich family must sacrifice a young woman to repay a debt, which means Elodie is now in the caves of the mountain with a fire-breathing dragon in pursuit, as it’s out for revenge.

This is where it gets low-key brutal, and quickly, it’s brightness to instant darkness and pain. Whether it’s a metaphor for marriage, I can’t say, but what I can say is that it offers great impact and what leads this shift isn’t just the actions, but Millie Bobby Brown’s complete presence in the moment, and another strong performance. If anyone is a modern master at moving from an easy pace to intense pain, or the will and desire to fight for something (in this case her actual life), then Millie takes the reigns and leads us through her dangerous journey from then.  

MBB’s Elodie is introduced as a tough nut to crack, she can smash a log in half, her family struggled in recent times and so when the big moment comes, you have faith in her decisions. Interestingly, in the early romanticised scenes, she channels a younger Kate Winslet for me, and that passion and commitment that Kate always shows, is equalled by Millie in these circumstances. But, later on? Also a little essence of a medieval 80s action-hero. I’m not kidding!

I found the storytelling of Damsel quite fun, the director often hides plot points, or progression, just out of shot and unravels it as the camera pans back, or as mental (as in mind) decisions are made by Elodie, and I enjoyed those reveals. The only downsides to these ambitious tales are currently the high levels of CGI, but you let it slide to get back into action and once we’re deep in the caves, that darkness enables more of an intense, realistic-like environment. There are also a few issues with its use of language but, again, it’s not distracting enough to be, well, a distraction.

Damsel offers many positives, as Millie Bobby Brown’s Elodie proves that she doesn’t really need saving, in so many senses, and can take it on herself with a Die Hard edge but in her own style – and I loved that approach. It endeavours to be smart and is aiming high to change the perception of action heroes, and I don’t see why she couldn’t be an even bigger one in the future. It’s also important to mention the dragon, voiced impressively (with an echo of Smaug/Cumberbatch) by Shohreh Aghdashloo, who’s a brutal predator and visually lion-dragon-like and unpredictable.

Here lies strength in adversity, a desire to change the way things are and you’d expect, plus our lead is taking on a dragon with a fierce warrior conviction and a huge sword – what’s not to love? This is certainly the Millie Bobby Brown experience, not forgetting the ever reliable and feisty Robin Wright loving her role, and it’s satisfying escapism that fans are going to love.

Damsel is on Netflix now: netflix.com/Damsel

“I’m deeply sorry for underestimating you.” – Elodie