Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, nominated for an Oscar for the short film “Esposados” (1997), this film delves into the world of fairy tales but replaces enchantment with despair. At its core, Millie Bobby Brown portrays Elodie, a young woman who, driven by the need to save her impoverished village, agrees to an arranged marriage with Prince Henry (Nick Robinson). However, the promise of a stable life soon reveals itself as a pact with death.
Elodie belongs to a community ravaged by hunger and a lack of resources. Her father, Lord Bayford, sees marriage as a lifeline when Queen Isabelle (Robin Wright) offers financial security in exchange for the union. With no alternative, the young woman succumbs to pressure, but her obedience quickly turns into a leap into the unknown, where the fairy tale unravels in the brutality of an unforgiving reality.
Upon arriving at the castle, the hope for a better future is constantly threatened by a hostile environment. In a moment of apparent relief, Elodie and Henry share an instant of connection, culminating in a horseback ride through idyllic fields. However, the atmosphere soon shifts when Queen Isabelle treats Lady Bayford (Angela Bassett) with icy disdain, raising suspicions about the true nature of this kingdom. Still, Elodie perseveres, convinced that her choice was the only possible one to secure her family’s future.
But what should have been the beginning of a new chapter turns into an unimaginable horror. Henry, who until then appeared to be a charming fiancé, mercilessly throws Elodie off a cliff. She awakens in a barren, ominous land, at the mercy of a dragon who reveals her fate: to be sacrificed like countless others before her. The myth of romantic rescue shatters, leaving only the fight for survival.
The story transforms into a battle of resilience and cunning. Left to her own devices, Elodie must tap into her skills to escape the cruel destiny imposed upon her. Every decision becomes a matter of life and death, and the unfolding journey symbolizes the struggle against the forces that imprison and silence. The archetype of the helpless princess is obliterated, making way for a protagonist who forges her own salvation.
Breaking away from conventional narratives, the film subverts expectations by rewriting the female role in fairy tales. Millie Bobby Brown leads the story with strength and vulnerability, delivering a magnetic performance that sustains the emotional weight of the film. Fresnadillo, in turn, masterfully orchestrates tension, using visual storytelling to heighten the terror and urgency of the situation.
While it retains elements of a fantasy adventure, the film goes beyond by offering a reflection on control, sacrifice, and emancipation. It is not just a physical battle against a predator but a symbolic confrontation against the constraints of the world Elodie once believed in. The film is a manifesto of courage and autonomy, where fear is not a sign of weakness but a force to be faced and overcome.
Film: Damsel
Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
Year: 2024
Genres: Action/Adventure/Fantasy
Rating: 7/10