Damsel (2024) Movie Review

 Millie Bobby Brown's latest fantasy flick doesn't start like your typical knight-in-shining-armor tale. Nope, no dashing heroes here rescuing damsels in distress. Instead, the movie kicks off with a heads-up: "This ain't your usual chivalry story."

So, what's the deal? Well, meet Elodie, played by Brown herself. She's not your average princess waiting for a prince to save her. Nope, she's a tough cookie, chopping wood centuries later in a remote snowy village with her sister, Floria.

But then, bam! A royal proposal lands in their laps. The queen wants Elodie to marry her son, the prince, promising riches to save their struggling land. Elodie's not thrilled, but she'll do what it takes to help her people, even if it means tying the knot with a stranger.

Off they go to the queen's lavish palace, where everything seems peachy keen... at first. Prince Henry seems charming, but his mom, the queen, gives off some serious ice queen vibes.

Despite some warning signs, the wedding happens with all the glitz and glam you'd expect from a fairy tale. But then, plot twist! There's a creepy ceremony involving blood and a dragon. Yep, you heard that right.

Now, Elodie's not just a blushing bride; she's a woman on a mission, trying to outsmart a dragon in a cave. Think "Cinderella" meets "Die Hard."

But Elodie's no damsel in distress. She's resourceful, using her wedding gown as a survival kit and even stumbling upon some eerie secrets in the cave.

It's a wild ride from castle to cavern, with Elodie proving she's more than just a pretty princess. And hey, who needs a knight when you've got a corset busk-turned-dagger and a handful of luminescent worms?

In this part of the movie, it feels like you're playing a video game alongside Elodie. She's up against all sorts of challenges, making progress bit by bit, but it's tough going. Millie Bobby Brown really shines during this solo stretch, showing both fear and determination as she tackles each obstacle.

It's a shame this isn't in theaters because the settings are packed with cool details that make up for some of the story's shortcomings. Even if you're watching on a smaller screen, the fresh, female-led twist on the classic tale, with a nod to the power of sisterhood towards the end, definitely makes it worth a watch.