“There are chivalry stories in which the knights are to save the ladies, but this is not one of them.” Damsel, directed by Juan Carlos Feresnadillo, promises to be a unique take on fairy tales from the start. The enthralling dark fantasy film that weaves a tale of sacrifice, deception, and ultimately redemption through a gripping narrative filled with twists and turns, follows a heroine on her journey of self-discovery and defiance against the oppressive forces of Aurea. The story is about a dutiful damsel who agrees to marry a handsome prince, only to find the royal family has recruited her as a sacrifice to repay an ancient debt.
Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, “Dasmel” plunges viewers into a world where ancient rituals, royal intrigue, and the looming threat of a vengeful dragon create a spellbinding cinematic experience. By entering Elodie’s quest from the very first days of preparing to marry the apparently fascinating prince of Aurea to the moment she is sacrificed to the dragon’s cave, we undergo a transformative journey from a reluctant bride to a fearless heroine with depth and conviction.
Millie Bobby Brown delivers a standout performance as Elodie, portraying a journey from a fragile girl to a tough, strong warrior. In her interviews, Millie Bobby Brown asserts that Elodie doesn’t wait for rescue; she actively seeks her own salvation. Elodie serves as both the audience’s eyes and ears while she battles the monster alone in its cave. According to Fresnadillo, “You feel that you are experiencing the journey of surviving and facing this creature with Elodie,” and “the emotional arc is so intense.” 20-year-old Millie, the actor in “Elona Homeless,” promises a brilliant future in the film industry.
Supported by a stellar cast including Ray Winston, Nick Robinson, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Angela Bassett, and Robbin Wright, the ensemble brings depth and complexity to their characters, elevating the emotional layers of the film. In her interview with Netflix, Shohreh Aghdashloo, who provides the voice of the fearsome dragon, argues for her characters in the film. “It wasn’t hard to imagine that I could have been, or would have been, a dragon in my past life,” Aghdashloo told Netflix. “But I have to admit that it became pretty challenging when I got to the sound studio and started following her steps through the forest while voicing her, for dragons can only move forward, not backward.”
Juan Carlos Fresnadillo says that he would be fascinated by the script by Dan Mazeau because it embraces the ideas of fantasy, adventure, and a princess and dragon story. But developing a heroine journey and coupling it with symbols like cliff, cave, sword, and escaping from a maze is not easy at all. Unlike the other dragons’ narratives, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo in Damsel personifies a painful dragon who is seeking revenge. According to him, the director preferred Shohreh Aghdashloo because of her unique voice, which made her plausible not just as a fiery animal but as an understandable character. Further, the viewers can find empathy with both warriors, whether it is Elodie fighting for her freedom or the dragon grabbing to pacify the old wounds.
One of the film’s standout features is its stunning visual effects, which bring to life the mystical world of Aurea and the terrifying presence of the dragon. From the glowing slugs illuminating dark caverns to the fiery breath of the majestic beast, the visual spectacle of Damsel captivates and immerses viewers in a world of magic and peril. The sharp, bright, and colorful scenery of Aurea ends in the dark, cold, and shabby caves as a sinister labyrinth, which has been depicted masterfully under the auspices of visual effects. For the one who wants a little bit of magic, fantasy, and imagination under the power of the female heroic journey Damsel, it is to fulfill them.
The narratives, particularly the fairy tale, have significantly influenced our collective consciousness, portraying themes such as the conflict between darkness and light, wickedness and virtue, or the struggle between a noble knight and a tyrannical ruler, with the fate of damsels resting in the hands of gallant cavaliers. However, the era where women, like Elodie and many other cinematic heroines, passively awaited their discovery has come to an end. Nowadays, these characters actively strive for their own truth, independence, and rights. The outcome may not meet our expectations of perfection, but the film acknowledges the presence of defects and deficiencies, yet it commendably endeavors to cultivate knowledge and understanding.
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