Damsel

I’ve admittedly watched Damsel twice, so it’s obvious that, flaws and all, the film put a big enough smile on my face that I had no problem sitting down for an almost immediate second look.

Even on the smaller screen, though, the fresh, female-led take on the traditional tale, including a bit of a sisterhood-is-powerful twist near the end, makes it worth a watch.

Too childish and shallow for adults, yet too brutal and gory for kids, this is one Damsel that really does need saving, after all.

There’s a simple, mechanical satisfaction to watching an underdog fight her way back from the depths, driven by a familiar current of revenge.

If you can get past the clunky computer generated environments you may be moderately entertained by this story of a girl trying to survive the elements and the threat of a hungry dragon.


Cleverly turns expectations on their heads while serving as a nifty showcase for Brown, who spends a fair amount of screen time alone other than the impressive special effects.

Damsel’s twists on common fairytale tropes are nothing new, but the film is elevated by Millie Bobby Brown’s performance and a basic yet solid script.



Netflix’s Damsel is an adventure that feels about as exciting as watching paint dry on a medieval castle wall. This film is a perfect example of a story that promises much but delivers little.

All in all, Damsel is too corny to really connect with viewers who have seen other movies explore similar ideas but with more nuance or at least woven into more exciting tales.

A handsomely produced mini-epic, with a good idea and a great cast, that is neither here nor there in execution.