Hey guys! March is Woman’s History Month, so naturally, I knew this week I had to review something centered around women. And with doing so, I finally watched a movie that I’ve wanted to see since it hit the theaters. I finally watched The Woman King.
Yes, I know! I am very late to the party. But better late than never. And I am SO glad that I finally got the chance to see what all of the fuss has been about it.
Initial Reaction
Okay, y’all… I can’t lie. Initially, I thought this movie was an extension of Black Panther. And I would say I had good reasoning! The Woman King and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever came out around the same time. So, yes, my initial thoughts when I first saw the trailer was, “What is Viola Davis going to be doing in Wakanda?” Very ignorant of me, I admit. But hey, I have to live in my truth. I was confused and intrigued at the same time.
What I Enjoyed
Let me just start off by saying, this is one of my new favorite movies. Truly. And the fact that this movie isn’t even nominated for an Oscar is an issue to me. But that’s a whole other story and I won’t get into that… right now.
Anyways, there’s so much to say! Where do I even begin?
Viola! Yes. Viola Davis eats up her roles, every time. Because Nanisca?! The woman that she is!!!! There were so many layers to Nanisca’s character. She was the fierce general of the Agojie, but she’d been through hell and back to get there.
Most approached her with caution (& a little bit of fear) out of respect for her authority and position. But those close to her, especially Amenza, played by Sheila Atim, saw the vulnerable side of her. She wasn’t just a brick wall who had no feelings. She was a woman who had a traumatic and painful past.
And can we just talk about that? Because if I understand correctly… and I know I do. Nanisca was kidnapped earlier in life, was sexually abused, managed to escape, ended up pregnant, delivered her baby herself, and gave said baby to Amenza to send away so she can continue being a part of the Agojie, THEN years later her baby ends up becoming apart of the Agojie while being the most rebellious trainee, THEN she ends up killing her previous abuser, who doesn’t even recognize her, OR knows that he is aiding in the enslavement of his own biological daughter!
Is that not INSANE?
The captains of the Agojie were literally my favorite people.
Amenza and Izogie, played by Lashana Lynch, the two of them together were a lethal pair. I loved seeing them fight side by side. Both were very strong characters, who showed subtle compassion to those around them.
I loved how Amenza stuck up for Esi, played by Shaina West, when another trainee tried to discredit her being in training because she was not from Dahomey.
I also looooved the relationship that Izogie and Nawi, played by Thuso Mbedu, developed over the course of the film. Speaking of which… the scene where Izogie dies, and Nawi is holding her as she screams and cries, broke me down. Like no way. NO WAY. That tore me up.
On top of that, the relationship development between Nawi and Nanisca throughout the movie was not one I saw coming. I thought that they would end up being close by the end of the movie for sure, but being mother and daughter?! Did NOT see that one coming.
My favorite scenes between the two were definitely when Nawi helped keep the gate down on the followers of General Oba Ade, played by Jimmy Odukoya, while Nanisca fought him. And the other is the scene when they walked back through the gates of Dahomey after defeating General Oba Ade and the white enslavers. The way that Nawi’s adoptive father and mother had to bow their heads down to the daughter that they treated poorly, as she walked in with her biological mother was powerful.
Finally, King Ghezo, played by John Boyega. I enjoyed watching him stand firm in his belief in Nanisca. He was a true leader and I enjoyed that they did not try to force a romantic relationship between the two. I was afraid they may do that because many movies and shows like to force romantic relationships on characters that have 0 chemistry in that way.
What I Would Have Changed
Speaking of forced romantic relationships, I could’ve gone without the romance between Nawi and Malik, played by Jordan Bolger. Was there chemistry there? Yes. But, the entire trope of having a white savior is tired.
Yes, Malik was mixed with white and black. However, there is a consistent framework in Hollywood films and shows that insinuates black people need saving. And they are usually saved by someone of a lighter complexion; typically white or in this case mixed race. But nonetheless, mixed with white.
If I were to rewrite it, if Nawi had to have a romantic interest, it would be someone from Dahomey. They would admire her and fight with and for her when she needs them. Not someone who buys her so she can escape to freedom again.
I also had a question that the movie never cleared up for me. Did Nanisca ever tell King Ghezo who Nawi was? I would have at least liked to see a quiet realization of him putting two and two together. It would have been nice to see how that would emotionally affect him, seeing that he clearly cares about Nanisca. Even in a platonic way.
Final Thoughts
As I said before, this has become one of my favorite new movies. So I don’t have much I want to change, but those were a few tweaks I would have made. I rate it a 9.5. It’s now on Netflix, so go watch it!
