The Woman King: a powerful action epic with popcorn appeal

The Woman King is a fierce and rousing action epic starring Oscar-winning actor Viola Davis and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. Set in 1823, the African Kingdom of Dahomey is under threat against the advances of the neighbouring Oyo empire and infiltration of European slave traders. An all-female army of warriors known as the Agojie are the nation’s last line of defence as their fearless leader, General Nanisca (Davis), prepares next-generation recruits for the mental and physical rigours of sacrificing their lives for the greater good.

While The Woman King is a fictionalised chronicle, its historical origins centre on the Dahomey Amazons, the only female army in modern history, named by Western Europeans who aligned them with the warriors of Amazons in Greek mythology. The Woman King seeks to reclaim their semi-sacred legacy under the name Agojie, revolving around Nanisca’s rise to power, but also serves as a baptism by fire for young recruit Nawi (played by South African star Thuso Mbedu), who is based on one of the last surviving Agojie warriors who died in 1979.

Much like the Agojie, the action epic is a team effort… powerful, robust, streamlined, and designed for maximum impact. There’s a rich historical and political context to The Woman King, which, while set in the 1800s, seems more timely than ever. The infectious film captures the ferocity of the militaristic unit, journeying with key individuals for greater emotional resonance without losing sight of entertainment value.

As action-packed as it gets, The Woman King remains thought-provoking, able to weave weighty political themes into its tapestry for added meaning. Grappling with enduring patriarchal traditions, unpacking the atrocities of the slave trade and reflecting outmoded views of Africa, The Woman King shines the spotlight into the continent’s deepest, darkest chasms unearthing contentious issues that still haunt us today.

The film’s powerful historical fantasy recalls the action, ferocity and pageantry of the worldwide phenomenon Black Panther. The sleek Marvel superhero blockbuster unleashed the magic of the African continent and concept of Wakanda with a mostly African and African-American cast. A resounding box office sensation, it pioneered a proof of concept for equally Afrocentric films like The Woman King, which defied and outperformed modest predictions.

The origin story behind The Woman King is empowering and provocative, requiring an actor with an innate strength of character and conviction to play General Nanisca. Being one of the best actors of our generation, Viola Davis was perfectly poised to take on the pivotal title role. Davis has fire in her eyes, grounding this fictionalised chronicle with her immense screen presence and her character’s indefatigable resolve. Able to meet the challenging demands of the lead performance, much like the real women it’s based on, Davis gives her all in a commanding and defiant turn to simultaneously quell her demons and rally the troops.

The Woman King isn’t a solo mission, with Davis supported by a stellar cast in South Africa’s very own Thuso Mbedu and Siv Ngesi, as well as Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Jimmy Odukoya and John Boyega. Having garnered International Emmy nominations for Is'Thunzi, Mbedu rises up to play a rogue in an impassioned performance that encapsulates the fierce spirit of the Abojie, who were made up of captives, locals and women who were involuntarily enrolled by aggrieved husbands and fathers. Ngesi gives 110% to the ever-present Migan, finding a great deal of personal meaning in a role he was born to play.

Lynch is a worthy second-in-command to Davis - her star power and drive shines through in a captivating key role as Izogie. Odukoya’s overbearing intensity is a necessary evil as Oba Ade, while Atim and Boyega round off a solid ensemble as the loyal Amenza and dapper King Ghezo.

Much like Wonder Woman, The Woman King is well aware of its duty as a pop culture vehicle for empowerment and social change. This undercurrent is strong as the filmmakers navigate the well-worn terrain of the action epic genre. Yet, as closely as it sticks to its spiritual quest, The Woman King also realises the value of adopting Hollywood production values to ensure its ripple reaches the furthest corners of the globe. To this end, it’s a stirring crowd-pleaser and enjoyable viewing experience, depicting Africa with the noble ambition of attracting universal appeal.

The colourful and detailed wardrobe echoes Black Panther, creating clear lines to distinguish empires and enemy factions. The film’s inherent ferocity, political swagger and fictional retelling has shades of RRR, giving the villains more complexity and depicting the heroic bonds of sisterhood rather than brotherhood. The pulsating soundtrack conjures up the age of empires, compels the action and doubles down on fighting spirit. The mythological aspect carries through, comparable with God of War’s primal fury and ancient weaponry.

Through exhilarating battle sequences, brutal encounters, impassioned speeches and powerful master-mentor moments, Prince-Bythewood deftly balances the realm of historical authenticity with popcorn entertainment. Bolstered by Viola Davis in a divergent yet deft and headstrong lead role, The Woman King pulsates with emotional intensity, soaring on the power of its untold history, vivid storytelling, potent themes and fervent cast.