The Woman King: why everyone’s talking about Viola Davis’s epic all-female military unit film

The Woman King

Credit: Sony Pictures

Under Her Eye


The Woman King: why everyone’s talking about Viola Davis’s epic all-female military unit film

By Morgan Cormack

3 years ago

2 min read

Viola Davis’ epic new film The Woman King is here and viewers are reacting to it in the best possible way.

In addition to wowing us in Netflix’s Unforgiveable alongside Sandra Bullock and starring as Michelle Obama in the recent three-part anthology series The First Lady, Viola Davis continues to amaze us in a series of stellar roles.

And the excitement surrounding her new film is certainly very real.

The Woman King sees Davis take on the role of Nanisca, the general of the Agojie, an all-female military unit. Davis not only plays a formidable leader but she also brings some serious action to the movie through incredibly tense fight scenes, emotional flashbacks and the important decision-making that she’s tasked with throughout the film.

It’s not only a magnificent feat of work, with physical and emotionally charged performances, but it’s also an example of underrepresented history getting a deserved spotlight via the film industry.

Viola Davis The Woman King

Credit: TriStar Pictures

We follow Nanisca as she trains up a new cohort of female warriors who are tasked with protecting the African kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s. The scenes of their rigorous training schedule are enough to leave you breathless, but it’s their collective skill and ferocity that is really unlike anything the world has seen before on the big screen. 

Not only does General Nanisca have to contend with her daily tasks as leader of the Agojie, but she also has to live with flashbacks of a traumatic past and somehow inspire the King (John Boyega) to take on the enemies determined to destroy Dahomey’s way of life. The film is inspired by true events, and it confronts the role the Dahomey people played in the historical enslavement of others. Again, something that we haven’t seen on the silver screen before.

But on top of the glorious levels of representation in the film, the impeccable soundtrack and jaw-dropping fight sequences, The Woman King also places women who are as strong as they are intriguing at the centre of the film, including Amenza (Sheila Atim), Izogie (Lashana Lynch) and Nawi (Thuso Mbedu). Oscar nominations incoming, we say.

And it’s clear to see from the initial viewer reactions that the film has lived up to the high expectations surrounding it.

It’s worth rewatching this film time and time again for the performances alone.

Thuso Mbedu is an acting force to be reckoned with.

And even Davis herself says that the film will entertain and move us all, which is all we could ever hope for in a movie.

When the trailer was released a couple of months ago, we were certain The Woman King was on course to be one of the most important films of the year.

In it, we see Nanisca training up the next generation of recruits as she readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life. As King Ghezo (John Boyega) says in the trailer: “An evil is coming that threatens our kingdom, our freedom. But we have a weapon they are not prepared for.”

The threat of European colonisation is imminent and Nanisca is intent on starting a war, something the King doesn’t initially want. But we soon follow young Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), who joins the King’s Guard, a fierce all-female military unit whose impressive battle skills and courage will leave you fired up for the war scenes to come.

If there’s one thing that this already excellent trailer nails, it’s drumming up all the excitement for these warriors.

Previously, Davis announced her involvement in February by sharing first-look images to her Instagram. She wrote: 

“I’m deeply honoured and excited to bring this incredible story of these badass female warriors to life. Get ready for THE WOMAN KING, exclusively in movie theatres this Fall!! 🎬👸🏿👑 @WomanKingMovie #BlackHistoryMonth 🤎🤎🤎

And if you still need convincing that The Woman King should be at the top of your cinema agenda, scroll on to find out more about this exciting new movie.

Viola Davis The Woman King

Credit: TriStar Pictures

What is The Woman King about?

The new film follows Nanisca (Viola Davis), general of an all-female military unit, and Nawi (The Underground Railroad’s Thuso Mbedu), an ambitious recruit. Together, they will fight enemies who “violated their honor, enslaved their people, and threatened to destroy everything they’ve lived for.”

The Woman King not only blends history and topical issues, but also provides us with some female-centred action sequences – the perfect cinematic release, if you ask us. 

The Woman King

Credit: Sony Pictures

Is The Woman King based on a true story?

It is indeed.

The film is inspired by the true events that took place in The Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries. 

The Woman King

Credit: Sony Pictures

Who will star in The Woman King?

The Woman King really does boast a cast of familiar faces with Lashana Lynch (No Time To Die) and John Boyega (Small Axe) who both star in the historical epic.

Broadway star Adrienne Warren, Sheila Atim (Bruised), Jayme Lawson (Till) and Hero Fiennes Tiffin (After We Fell), Jordan Bolger (Peaky Blinders) and Masali Baduza (Noughts & Crosses) also make up the rest of the cast.

The Woman King is also directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love & Basketball, The Old Guard) and co-produced by Davis.  

The Woman King

Credit: Sony Pictures

When will The Woman King be released?

The Woman King is now available to watch in UK cinemas.

Image: TriStar Pictures

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