Movie review: Viola Davis reigns supreme in historical epic 'The Woman King'

Set in 1820s Africa, “The Woman King” opens with a group of female warriors emerging from tall grass, swords drawn, muscles flexed. It’s a remarkable display of strength, power and fearlessness. The women advance to the sound of percussive beats while emitting a blood-curdling battle cry.

“Where are the prisoners?” they demand amid a shower of spears, knives and razor-sharp fingernails.

Viola Davis, as the titular badass, Nanisca, leads the fighters, called the Agojie, who are among the real-life inspirations for the Dora Milaje in “Black Panther.” They defended the West African kingdom of Dahomey against slave traders and other threats until the late 19th century.

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Davis, stoic and strong with steely eyes, can now add “action star” to her immeasurable talents. When her Nanisca warns “an evil is coming,” you believe her. She tops a remarkable ensemble that includes Lashana Lynch (“No Time to Die”) and Sheila Atim (“Bruised”) as fellow soldiers, John Boyega (“Star Wars”) as the king, and Thuso Mbedu (“The Underground Railroad”) as a recruit disowned by her father for refusing an arranged marriage.

The story, written by Dana Stevens, unfolds amid the slave trade, with the villainy supplied by Hero Fiennes Tiffin as a Portuguese “slaver” and Jimmy Odukoya as a rival tribal leader with a personal connection to Nanisca.

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After a rousing start, director Gina Prince-Bythewood (“The Old Guard”) sacrifices action in favor of fleshing out characters. Nanisca is plagued by nightmares; Izogie (Lynch), the trainer of the young tributes, reveals a sarcastic wit and energy; defiant tribute Nawi (Mbedu) develops a forbidden romance; while politics and in-fighting threaten the king’s rule. These various subplots don’t always coalesce, especially a game-changing twist that is one contrivance too many. (My eyes are still rolling.)

Nevertheless, every overly choreographed battle scene and almost-kiss is the kind of crowd-pleasing fodder that elicits hoots and hollers from the audience. Ditto for a bare-chested Jordan Bolger, playing Nawi's love interest. The movie is easy to watch because you know the bad guys will get what’s coming, and while the body count is high, the blood splatter isn’t. The most squeamish scene involves the snap, crackle, pop of setting broken bones. For a historical warrior epic that’s being compared to “Gladiator” and “Braveheart,” “The Woman King” is surprisingly tame, its violence sanitized to maintain a PG-13 rating. “Game of Thrones” is more graphic.

Where “The Woman King” excels is in tackling sisterhood, submission and defiance, while putting on a display of brute, female force.  All of that is awesome, but by the end, Nawi’s journey of self-discovery is the ultimate focus, albeit swimming in clichés. But she’s easy to root for, as she refuses to back down, even while holding her own opposite the ferocious Davis.

“I want to be like her,” Nawi says at one point. Don’t we all, Nawi? … Don’t we all? …

Also screened

'See How They Run'

Saoirse Ronan, Sam Rockwell, Adrien Brody and David Oyelowo star in yet another spoof of Agatha Christie murder-mysteries. The crime takes place backstage at a London production of the famed author’s “Mousetrap.” First-time director Tom George crafts a meta and breezy whodunit that’s full of comedy and style. Ronan and Rockwell are pitch-perfect as newbie constable and veteran detective, respectively. (PG-13 for violence, showing in theaters. Grade: B+)

'Pinocchio'

Tom Hanks’ natural warmth shines through as Geppetto, Cynthia Erivo dazzles as the Blue Fairy and Joseph Gordon-Levitt voices Pinocchio’s sidekick Jiminy Cricket in an otherwise forgettable remake. Robert Zemeckis directs. (PG for peril/scary moments, rude material and some language, streaming on Disney+. Grade: C)

‘The Woman King’

Rating: PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, some disturbing material, thematic content, brief language and partial nudity

Cast: Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Hero Fiennes Tiffin and John Boyega 

Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood

Writer: Dana Stevens

Running time: 2 hours, 14 minutes

Where to watch: In theaters Friday

Grade: B

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Reach Dana Barbuto at dbarbuto@patriotledger.com. 

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Movie review: Viola Davis reigns supreme in 'Woman King'