(Photo by Ilze Kitshoff © 2021 CTMG, Inc)
Never underestimate the power of a woman, and that advice goes double when it comes to the powerhouse that is Viola Davis. The Oscar-winning actor is capable of delivering outstanding performances in any genre, and she adds badass action queen to her resume with The Woman King.
TriStar Pictures’ The Woman King features some of the most breathtaking fight sequences to unfold on the big screen in recent memory. And yes, you absolutely must see this in theaters on the largest screen possible. Masterfully choreographed and delivered with fierce, flawless intensity, the action sequences serve to punctuate but not overpower the incredible tale of the Agojie warriors – also known as the Dahomey Amazons – led by General Nanisca (Davis).
The year: 1823
The setting: West Africa, the Kingdom of Dahomey
A new ruler has been crowned and his fiercest warriors, the Agojie, guard his palace and his kingdom. Their leader, General Nanisca, is stern but fair and has the respect of her fighters as well as King Ghezo (John Boyega).
King Ghezo has taken power at a time when the alliance between Dahomey and the Oyo Empire is fractured. Ghezo’s desire to free his kingdom from being forced into paying the Oyo annual tributes is shared by Nanisca. The Dahomey and the Oyos are slave traders, but Nanisca believes there are other ways to maintain Dahomey’s wealth rather than selling their own people to the Portuguese.
Members of Dahomey’s elite female squad are required to dedicate their lives to defending the kingdom, foregoing romantic relationships, and committing to filling their waking hours with rigorous training. The first time we see Nanisca and the Agojie put that training into action is in the opening minutes of the film. They stage outside an Oyo encampment and then move as a unit, attacking the Oyo raiders and freeing Dahomey hostages meant to be sold as slaves while slaughtering those foolish enough to put up a fight.
It’s a stunning sight watching these incredibly powerful female warriors outmaneuver their male enemies.
The Agojie are considered heroes to the Dahomey, and any young girl who wants to join is in for months of physically demanding training, after which there’s no guarantee she’ll be allowed to join their ranks. Much of the story is told through the eyes of one such trainee, Nawi (Thuso Mbedu). Nawi is slight in size but large in personality and spirit. After refusing to marry an abusive elderly man, she’s given to King Ghezo by her father who wants nothing more to do with her.
Nawi proves to be as dedicated to honing her fighting skills as she is to annoying General Nanisca. She tests the patience of Nanisca but, fortunately for the impudent girl, Izogie (Lashana Lynch) – one of the Agojie’s most capable fighters and an instructor of the new recruits – takes her under her wing.
Nawi’s training takes place as the tension between the Oyo leader Oba Ade (Jimmy Odukoya) and King Ghezo escalates. The Oyo fighters are ruthless but the Agojie are an incredible fighting machine, guaranteeing the much-anticipated battle telegraphed from the film’s opening moments will be brutal and visually spectacular.
The Woman King is filled with outstanding performances led, of course, by the extraordinary performance of Viola Davis. The Academy Award-winner does an impressive job of playing the fierce side of General Nanisca, emotions restrained and laser-focused on protecting the kingdom. Davis also nails Nanisca’s vulnerability when a secret from her past is revealed and she’s forced to face her inner demons.
John Boyega does a terrific job of playing the new king who attempts to do what’s best for his kingdom, despite the fact the odds are stacked against him. Lashana Lynch and Thuso Mbedu are excellent screen partners, providing the film with its few lighter moments as well as one of its most heart-wrenching.
There’s an unnecessary love story squeezed into the story, but that’s a minor misstep in an otherwise riveting film. Gina Prince-Bythewood’s direction is pitch perfect, and she assembled a first-rate team to recreate the kingdom of Dahomey in the early 1800s.
The Woman King’s inspired by a true story and because of how beautifully it’s been brought to life on the screen, we can hope the film will spark interest in learning more about the Agojie’s place in history.
GRADE: A
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, partial nudity, brief language, some disturbing material, and thematic content
Release Date: September 16, 2022
Running Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
