You're Watching A Movie With Silas Lindenstein

The Woman King (2022)
PG-13‧ Drama/Action  ‧ 2 h 14 m
Written by Dana Stevens
Directed by ‎Gina Prince-Bythewood

THE CAST

Viola Davis · Nanisca 

Thuso Mbedu · Nawi 

 Lashana Lynch · Izogie 

Sheila Atim · Amenza 

John Boyega · King Ghezo

THE STORY

(In their own words) A historical epic inspired by true events that took place in The Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries.

THE BEST

The BEST things about the film

1. The Acting – From top to bottom this is a fantastically acted film. Especially Viola Davis. Give her all the awards. Forever. 
2. The Story – Such a unique story that we haven’t seen.  One of the great things about exploring other cultures in cinema is the diversity of stories you get. 
3. The fight choreography – There is some fantastic fighting choreography from the all female warrior brigade, the Agojie.

THE WORST

The WORST things about the Film

1. There are some predictable plot developments. There was otherwise so much originality that they stood out. 
2. They skip a bunch of the training time for the main character, Nanisca. And it felt like it was almost abruptly cut. My guess is that this was based off of time and there’s a lot more training in the script. 

BEST LINE

“To be a warrior, you must kill your tears.”

THE REVIEW

Wow.

I was looking forward to The Woman King from the first time I saw a trailer and it didn’t disappoint.

Based on true events, set in the 1820s  it follows the all-female warrior unit known as the Agojie, protectors of the West African kingdom of Dahomey. The film starts off fierce, showing the power and skill of the Agojie, as they rescue their people from those who would hope to sell them off to slave traders. We learn more about them and their ways when Newi, played by Thuso Mbedu, begins her training and finds comradery, inner strength, and herself. 

The Agojie’s leader is handily played by Viola Davis, who once again delivers an amazing performance. I really think at this point, Merryl Streep is the white Viola Davis, ya know? Just that good. 

The story is the most compelling part of the film. We don’t normally get images of strong Black people in Africa in cinema unless it is something like a fictional land of Wakanda. This is a movie full of smart, loving, powerful Black people with a righteous goal. This is Black excellence. This is a movie showing Black people where they come from in a positive light and how they can have pride in their ancestry. It’s a pretty incredible feeling. 

THE LESSON

Don’t underestimate people. 

A woman’s value isn’t in her marriage potential or becoming a mother. 

THE FINAL WORD

An amazing acting performance by Viola Davis highlights  this wonderful film full of Black excellence. A refreshingly different story than you normally get to see in the USA. Well paced, original, fierce acting, and engaging story.  This is not a film to miss.  If you support Black filmmaking, you need to support this film. 

THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It. 

The Woman King gets a Love It.

THE TRAILER

THE REVIEWER

When he’s not reviewing films or interviewing people for the Black & A Half podcast, Silas Lindenstein can be found in the greater metro Seattle, WA working as a real estate agent helping people buy and sell homes, or performing stand up comedy to fellow nerds. He has a wife and three children and desperately wants to learn to make the perfect homemade pizza.