The Woman King is an historical genre drama film by Gina Prince Bythewood that tells the story of the Kingdom of Dahomey and its warriors, the Agojie. Based on fact, the movie revolves around General Nanisca depicted by Viola Davis as she teach warrior-in-training. In an episodic, large canvas manner the film touches on keynotes of womanhood, friendship, and the struggles women face in a male dominated world all while portraying the Agojie as the defenders of their land.
Viola Davis gives another excellent performance with a solid background cast, starring Thuso Mbedu as Nawi. This way the direction skilfully combines action with historical background and makes the performance highly informative and interesting as a movie. There is excellent work with the camera and lighting, not to mention the powerful theme of the movie’s soundtrack by Terence Blanchard.
Historical and authentic environment, specific to the Kingdom of Dahomey, is depicted with the help of strict production design; at the same time, the characters’ inner progression is demonstrated through real-life-like dialogue. The Woman King is a powerful movie that has great empowering messages about women and African culture so it is rather compulsory to watch this film.
