‘Damsel’ Review: Nothing We Haven’t Seen Before

Taking a stab at age-old fairytale expectations and flipping them on their heads might not be as groundbreaking as some filmmakers would like to believe. However, Netflix’s ‘Damsel,’ loosely akin to Hulu’s 2022 offering ‘The Princess,’ manages to avoid getting lost in self-satisfaction and provides a brisk, entertaining reimagining.

While the film doesn’t boast groundbreaking surprises, there’s a mechanical satisfaction in watching the underdog, Elodie, played by Netflix’s leading lady Millie Bobby Brown, navigate her way back from the depths, driven by the familiar current of revenge.

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Elodie’s journey begins in strife, with her family struggling, and a marriage offer from a prince turns into a nightmarish sacrifice to a dragon.

‘Damsel’ offers a tweenage take on the classic revenge tale, providing a superficial fresher perspective in a subgenre that has seen exhaustive exploration. Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, the film becomes an adventure of low-level pleasures, allowing Elodie to discover the importance of her resourcefulness and independence.

The film takes a gently feminist spin, featuring strong female characters, including a queen leading the kingdom and a female dragon in charge of the cave.

While Millie Bobby Brown’s performance can be slightly over-emphatic, her role shines when it requires a shift from words to action. ‘Damsel’ manages to create an immersive world, avoiding visual tells that give away its Netflix origins. The dragon is animated with flair and the film’s well-lit scenes contribute to its overall appeal.