Damsel

Bibliographic Information:

Title: Damsel

Author: Evelyn Skye

Writer: Dan Mazeau

Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo

Production Company: Netflix, PCMA Management and Production, Roth/Kirschenbaum Films

Release Date: March 2024

Streaming Platform: Netflix

Format: Movie

Genre: Fantasy/ Horror/ Action/ Adventure/ Thriller

Awards: National Film Award, UK, Best Thriller- 2024

Rating: PG-13 (Netflix)

Running Time: 1 Hour 50 Minutes

Plot Summary:

Elodie agrees to the deal her father has made with a the kingdom of Aurea, she is to marry the prince so she can save her kingdom by obtaining resources from their union. But when Elodie and her family arrive at Aurea, the beauty of the kingdom seems too good to be true. They indeed are hiding a dark secret, they are not the only one's who inhabit the island and their neighbor is not friendly, in fact they hold a deadly grudge. Will Elodie figure out the royal family's secrets before it's too late?

Author and Director Background:

Evelyn Skye is a best selling author who lives in San Fransisco. She attended Stanford University and Harvard Law School and writes for all ages. Some of her other works are The Hundred Loves of Juliet, The Crown's Game series, Circle of Shadows series, Princess Private Eye series, and One Year Ago in Spain. Evelyn Skye wrote the original story of Damsel that this movie is adapted from and worked closely in collaboration with the production of the film.

Juan Carlos Fresnadillo is a Spanish director, screen writer, and producer. He is most known for his work on 28 Weeks Later and Intruders. Look out for the upcoming live action Sword In the Stone that he will be directing.

Dan Mazeau is an American screen writer who attended MFA screenwriting program at UCLA and is most known for their work in Wrath of the Titans and Fast X. He has multiple works in progress keep an eye out!

Critical Evaluation:

While this is not Millie Bobby Brown's best work, I still think she crushed and portrayed a hero young girls can look up to, like always. The beginning of this movie was a bit slow. I thought it was going to be just another princess movie where after overcoming a struggle she decided to follow her own dreams instead of picking the prince. And while this was partly true it was much more. As soon as the movie turned culty I was hooked. I have a bachelor's degree in religious studies and love a good ol' dark and creepy tradition, so when the chanty music started playing I new it was going to get good. I have to say that this movie was predictable, even without reading the original novel. The dialogue was a bit forced and at times cringy, but whatever, it was still very enjoyable. The special effects I thought were done very well and overall it was a beautifully shot and colored movie, even if AI had some sort of involvement. The strength, resourcefulness, and wit of the main character was definitely central to the theme however the message that stood out to me most was about motherhood. This movie displayed the pain, strength, determination and love that mothers of all kind have for their children biological or not and the lengths they will go to keep them safe. I think that teens can find themselves relating to both Elodie or Prince Henry.

Creative Use for Library Program:

Mothers Day Movie Brunch- This movie discusses the magnitude of love mothers of all kind have for their children and the lengths they will take to protect them. Teens, young mothers, and their mothers or mothering guardians have a movie night with snacks and a discussion on what being a mother means to them and what they thought of the mothers in the movie.

Women's History Month Collection- This movie can be included in a teen women's history month collection discussing women's issues, history, feminism, and culture as feminism is such a strong theme in this movie.

Speed Round Trailer:

You've heard of the prince saving the damsel in distress. You may have even heard of the damsel saving the prince. It is unlikely that you have heard of the damsel seeking revenge on the prince for the distress he caused. Enter Elodie.

Potential Challenge Issue and Defense Preparation:

Some of the issues that are presented about this movie are that the dialogue is sub par and there is discourse that this movie uses AI for its writing. I cannot find any credible source that state exactly where AI was used and if it was. However, this movie is based on Evelyn Skye's book Damsel, in which case the writing may have used AI to convert it into a screen play. Regardless I did find the dialogue to be forced a bit but wether this is due to the writing of the original story or from the movie I know not.

Reason for Inclusion:

I love Millie Bobby Brown so I had to watch and review this movie. I decided to include this because I have heard mixed reviews and wanted to see what this movie was all about. Millie Bobby Brown who is currently 20 years old, has been such a role model and advocate for teens. She made a skincare line for teens and is a UNICEF ambassador. I also wanted to include this movie because it is a unique story with a unique message. While I do feel like there are less and less movies where the princess is saved by the prince, I think this movie especially related to teens rather than children.

Check Out:

References:

Goodreads. (n.d.). Evelyn Skye. Accessed August 2024 from https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13467894.Evelyn_Skye

IMDB. (n.d.). Damsel. Accessed August 2024 from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13452446/?ref_=ttawd_ov

Netflix. (2024, February). Damsel Official Trailer [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM150ZWovZM

Netflix. (n.d.). Damsel. Accessed August 2024 from https://www.netflix.com/title/80991090

The Classic TV. (2024, May). Teens Review Damsel: exceeded expectations? Or did expectations exceed... I OPERATION TOMATOMETER [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2VtUr-gmO8