This historical epic is inspired by true events that took place in The Kingdom of Dahomey, that is now located in present day Benin.

The Woman King is the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen.

Inspired by true events, The Woman King follows the emotionally epic journey of General Nanisca (Oscar winner Viola Davis – The Help/ Fences) as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life.

As she says in the trailer “Some things are worth fighting for.”

The Woman King promotes liberty, staying true to yourself, standing up for what is right, keeping your head held high but your arrogance in check, obeying authority while also making wise decisions for yourself, and protecting those you love.

Nanisca (Viola Davis) fights against King Ghezo’s (John Boyega Star Wars Episodes 7-9) vision to sell their prisoners of war to the Europeans for guns and other “valuable” goods, acting as a strong voice against racism and the commodification of humans.

Lashana Lynch (No Time To Die/ Captain Marvel) and Sheila Atim (Doctor Strange in the multiverse of madness/The Underground Railroad) also star in The Woman King as two of the Agojie.

Director Gina Prince-Bythewood (Old Guard) outdoes herself taking the film beyond being a film that does its bit to rectify historical exclusion of African narratives in Hollywood.

The Woman King is a superb crowd-pleaser, with familiar thematic beats of moralism, love, and community and a fresh-enough take on the historical war film.

Viola Davis will be among the favourites to win this Year’s Oscar for Best Actress for her incredible performance.

Comparisons will be made to Black Panther’s Dora Milajeand the Agojie in this movie as they are all women warriors and protectors.

The Woman King is well worth a watch it has a good story and action scenes it is also quite emotional and intense in parts of the movie.

My Rating: 8/10