DAMSEL (2024) REVIEW

 

Millie Bobby Brown's latest fantasy flick, "Damsel," flips the script on the classic damsel-in-distress tale faster than you can say "dragon breath." From the get-go, it's clear we're not in Kansas—or Camelot—anymore.

Picture this: Elodie, our plucky heroine played by Brown, is chopping wood in her snowy hamlet with her sister Floria, portrayed by the sweet-as-pie Brooke Carter. They're so strapped for cash they're practically selling the kitchen sink—or in this case, the castle drapes. But fear not, a royal proposal swoops in like a knight on a unicorn, offering Elodie a chance to marry a prince and restore her kingdom to its former glory. Ah, the things we do for a pantry full of snacks.

Cue the opulent royal court, complete with a regal queen, a charming prince, and more pomp and circumstance than a peacock convention. But before you can say "happily ever after," things take a turn for the fiery. Turns out, Elodie's wedding gift isn't a blender—it's a date with a dragon. Talk about a bridal surprise!

What follows is a wild ride through caverns and crevices, as Elodie channels her inner MacGyver and transforms her wedding gown into a survival toolkit. Forget something old, something new—she's got something sharp and something to light her way, courtesy of bio-luminescent worms. And let's not forget the corpses of other unlucky princesses strewn about like discarded glass. It's like a bridal horror show, with Elodie as the final girl.

But fear not, dear viewers, for Brown is a one-woman show, toggling between terror and tenacity like a pro. And just when you think the dragon's got the upper claw, along comes a twist that'll have you cheering louder than a knight at a jousting tournament.

Sure, "Damsel" may have its shortcomings—like a screenplay as riddled with holes as a Swiss cheese castle—but the fresh, female-led spin on the age-old tale makes it a must-watch. So grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and prepare for a fantasy adventure that's as fierce as it is funny. After all, who needs a knight in shining armor when you've got a damsel with a dagger?