Damsel (2024) Movie Review and Film Summary

Damsel (2024): A Fierce Twist on the Fairy Tale Trope

Released on Netflix in March 2024, Damsel is a dark fantasy adventure that subverts the classic "damsel in distress" narrative. Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (28 Weeks Later) and written by Dan Mazeau, the 110-minute PG-13 film stars Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things) in the lead role, supported by a strong ensemble including Ray Winstone, Robin Wright, Angela Bassett, Nick Robinson, and Shohreh Aghdashloo (voicing the dragon).

Plot Summary: From Fairy Tale to Survival Horror (Spoiler-Light)

The story opens with a prologue: centuries ago, a king fails to slay a fearsome dragon, leading to a pact where future generations must offer sacrifices to appease the beast and protect the kingdom of Aurea.

In the present, Elodie (Millie Bobby Brown), a resourceful young woman from a struggling northern kingdom, receives a marriage proposal from Queen Isabelle (Robin Wright) of wealthy Aurea. The union promises prosperity for Elodie's impoverished people and family, including her father Lord Bayford (Ray Winstone) and stepmother Lady Bayford (Angela Bassett). Encouraged by duty and family pressure, Elodie agrees to wed Prince Henry (Nick Robinson).

The wedding unfolds lavishly, but the fairy tale shatters when Elodie is betrayed: she's not marrying for alliance—she's the latest sacrificial "bride" thrown into a cavernous mountain lair to repay the ancient debt to the dragon. Left for dead, Elodie must rely on her intelligence, courage, and survival instincts to navigate deadly traps, flames, and the relentless dragon (voiced with smoky menace by Shohreh Aghdashloo). What begins as a tale of deception evolves into a gripping fight for escape, uncovering secrets about the kingdom's history and the true cost of obedience.

The film flips the script—no prince rescues the princess. Instead, Elodie becomes the hero of her own story, turning a familiar fantasy setup into a tense, claustrophobic survival thriller.

Millie Bobby Brown's Empowering Performance

Brown delivers a gutsy, determined portrayal of Elodie, carrying much of the film on her shoulders. She transforms from a dutiful, somewhat naive young woman into a fierce, quick-thinking survivor, showcasing physicality and emotional depth amid the peril. Her performance is widely praised as the film's strongest element—charismatic, relatable, and empowering—making Elodie a compelling action hero in a genre often dominated by male leads.

The supporting cast shines: Wright brings icy authority as the manipulative queen, Winstone adds gruff paternal conflict, and Bassett provides warmth and strength. Aghdashloo's dragon voice adds gravitas and terror to the creature, which is impressively designed with detailed scales and fiery menace.

Visuals, Action, and Atmosphere

Fresnadillo crafts striking visuals: opulent royal settings contrast sharply with the dark, labyrinthine cave system, filled with glowing runes, perilous drops, and dragon-roasted threats. The action sequences—chases, traps, and fiery confrontations—are suspenseful and well-paced, evoking a mix of Die Hard-style ingenuity in confined spaces and fairy-tale spectacle.

The tone balances dark fantasy elements with empowerment themes, exploring sacrifice, deception, and breaking cycles of inherited duty. It's not overly gory but intense enough for older teens and adults.

Strengths and Criticisms

Strengths lie in Brown's commanding lead, the subversive premise, immersive production design, and solid suspense. It's entertaining escapism with a feminist edge, rewarding for viewers seeking a strong female protagonist who saves herself.

Critics gave mixed reviews: Rotten Tomatoes holds a 56% approval rating (based on around 128 reviews, average 5.5/10), with the consensus noting Brown's performance often compensates for an underpowered story and occasional CGI inconsistencies. Metacritic scores it around 46/100 ("mixed or average"). Some praise the fresh take and visuals, while others criticize predictability, thin world-building, formulaic twists, and uneven pacing.

Audience reception is warmer—often in the 70-80% range on platforms— with many calling it a fun, empowering watch despite flaws. It's seen as solid Netflix fare: not groundbreaking, but engaging and rewatchable for fantasy fans.

Why It Stands Out in 2024 Fantasy

Damsel endures as a crowd-pleaser for its bold rejection of passive princess tropes, delivering girl-power thrills in a dragon-filled package. Brown’s star power and the film's high production values make it a standout streaming title. If you enjoy subverted fairy tales like The Princess Bride or survival fantasies with strong leads, it's a worthwhile watch—fiery, fierce, and far from traditional.

Queue it up for a night of empowerment and dragon-slaying drama. Just don't expect a knight in shining armor.