
The Woman King (2022)
Shot in South Africa and Ghana with Moonlighting, The Woman King follows the epic journey of General Nanisca (Oscar winner Viola Davis) as she trains the next generation of recruits in preparation for battle against colonialists determined to destroy their way of life.
Davis won Best Actress in an Action Movie at the 2023 Critics Choice Super Awards, while The Woman King took home six wins at this year’s Black Reel Awards, including Outstanding Film, Director (Gina Prince-Bythewood from The Old Guard), Ensemble Cast, Score (five-time Grammy winner Terence Blanchard) and Outstanding Breakthrough Actress for Pietermaritzburg-born South African actress Thuso Mbedu (Is'Thunzi, The Underground Railroad).
The epic cast includes BAFTA and Critics Choice Award winner John Boyega (Star Wars’ Finn, Small Axe, Attack the Block); Uganda-born BAFTA nominee Sheila Atim (The Underground Railroad, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness); BAFTA winner Lashana Lynch (No Time to Die, Captain Marvel, Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical); Teen Choice winner Hero Fiennes Tiffin (Hardin Scott in the After film series); Beninese-French superstar and five-time Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo; rising South African star Masali Baduza (Noughts + Crosses), SAFTA winners Siv Ngesi (Dam, Tali’s Baby Diary, Still Breathing) and Seputla Sebogodi (The River, The Republic, Generations), and South African Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi in her debut film role.
The Woman King has a 94% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where the critics’ consensus simply says: “All hail Viola Davis! The Woman King rules.”
Want more action movies? Check out our bumper list here »
More like this

South Africa’s stories and storytellers recognised as SAFTA nominees announced
Mzansi’s boldest stories take centre stage as the 2026 SAFTA nominees are unveiled, with a wave of nominations across DStv and Showmax.

Heart Eyes (2025)
In this whodunit horror slasher, Valentine's Day is turned into a battle for survival as a masked serial killer goes after couples.

Bride Hard (2025)
When a mercenary team hijacks a wedding, a secret agent bridesmaid fights to save the day in this chaotic action comedy.

Friendship (2024)
Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd lead this dark comedy about an awkward man trying to be friends with his charismatic neighbour.

Sweethearts (2024)
Two college freshmen make a pact to break up with their high school sweethearts during the "Drunksgiving" holiday break, but their plan goes awry.

How M3GAN 2.0 blurred the lines between human and AI
Allison Williams, Ivanna Sakhno and M3GAN 2.0 writer-creator Gerard Johnstone talk about how the back-and-forth between humans, robots, and AI turned creepy on set.

M3GAN 2.0 (2025)
Killer doll M3GAN is resurrected to face a new threat: Amelia, a military-grade robot created using M3GAN's technology.

The Naked Gun (2025)
In this slapstick comedy reboot, Frank Drebin Jr follows in his father's footsteps to prevent the closure of Police Squad.
Outlaws, now streaming on Showmax
Go on holiday with RHUGT: Africa
More West African excellence

Where to watch The Real Housewives franchise online
Showmax is the home of The Real Housewives, giving an inside look at the lives of these glam women from Durban, Abuja, Lagos, Joburg, Nairobi and more. Plus, go on vacation with The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip!

Wizkid: Long Live Lagos (2025)
This intimate and uplifting documentary explores Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Wizkid's rise to superstardom as one of the biggest Afrobeats artists.

Princess Jecoco on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Africa
Princess Jecoco from The Real Housewives of Abuja franchise is back! She opens up on what it feels to be part of an epic girls trip

Dr. Catherine speaks on flying the Kenyan flag and reuniting with Zena on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip - Africa
Dr C opens up about representing Kenya in RHUGT–Africa, reuniting with Zena in Brazil, healing through therapy, and revealing a fun new side.
Latest Stories

Schalk Bezuidenhout trades stand-up for 9-5 in Die Kantoor

A heartbreaking loss: Nolwandle Biyela’s final stand in Outlaws Season 2

Fall in love with romantic drama Touch, now on Showmax

Antonie Marx on Volspoed and why it's a must-watch

Sandra Stein makes her debut on Law, Love and Betrayal S2

Albert Pretorius on Die Kantoor, SA’s re-imagining of The Office

20+ addictive South African reality shows to stream

Where to watch The Real Housewives franchise online

How to Train Your Dragon: Bringing Hiccup and Astrid to life

What to watch on Showmax in January 2026

7 things to know about indie award-winning movie Dìdi

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’s South African stunts

Die Kwiksilwers (2024)

Where to see the cast of Mpondoland on Showmax

Angel on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, Jojo and more

Thandolwethu Zondi on his new role in Outlaws S2
Must-watch trailer for Showmax's turbo-charged reality series Volspoed

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip cast on first impressions, beefs and more

Fana Mokoena on playing a sangoma in Masinga

Princess Jecoco on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Africa

Tlali returns: Outlaws’ most loved and hated villain is back

Novocaine: the US box office hit shot in Cape Town

Why Jackie Phamotse says Slay Queens is a must-watch

Evodia on Ultimate Girls Trip Africa and her return to reality TV







