With a tagline “inspired by true events,” “The Woman King” is a bold look at a group of female warriors in the 1820’s in the Kingdom of Dahomey. Set in a context where competing tribes sell captives from other tribes to white slavers, the film looks at hard ethical issues facing the King of Dahomey as he debates whether or not to pay tribute to the much-larger Oyo nation. Even a subplot that seems highly improbable cannot minimize the power of this action-filled, often bloody, ode to female empowerment.

Perhaps I am like others in not knowing much about the historical background of the Kingdom of Dahomey and its surrounding neighbors. According to Wikipedia, the Kingdom started in the 1600’s and was ruled by King Ghezo (portrayed by John Boyega in the film) in the 1820’s. In 1894 it was conquered by the French and absorbed into French Dahomey.

The picture starts with a night raid by the Dahomey women warriors known as the Agojie. Led by General Nanisca (Viola Davis), they are seeking to reclaim their tribesmen who have been taken captive by a band of Oyo raiders. A bloody, well-choreographed battle ensues. The Agojie triumph and return to the capital Abomey.

In a subplot we meet a young woman named Nawi (Thuso Mbedu) who is supposed to be married soon. Her family introduces her to an older gentleman but Nawi is unwilling to be subjugated by any man. Her resistance causes her family to disown her and drop her off at the palace where she becomes an Agojie initiate. We later learn that Nawi was adopted by her family, which leads to an improbable subplot, which I will not discuss due to spoiler potential.

The Agojie live in a segregated part of the Palace where no men may enter. They truly are a sisterhood. Training is on-going and not just for new recruits. Many of the women bear battle scars on their bodies.

Nawi thinks that she knows it all and so has a difficult training period as she meets her limitations. Nanisca is dubious at first about Nawi’s potential but is patient and admires her spunk. Nawi is mentored by Izogie (Lashana Lynch) and slowly improves.

In another subplot, at the port city of Ouidah south of Abomey, slavers from Brazil disembark. One of their passengers is Santo Ferreira (Hero Fiennes Tiffin). His mother in Brazil was from Dahomey and he wants to see his homeland and learn more about his roots.

Santo travels inland with the slavers to Abomey. Before he gets there, while bathing in a stream, he encounters Nawi. They strike up a friendship as he apparently can speak the native tongue due to his mother.

At the Palace, the initiates go through a competition in front of the King and the Agojie. Santo is there with his slaver friend. Nawi emerges triumphant. Santo wants to see her later for obvious reasons.

Meanwhile the Oyo arrive and want tribute. Among their tribute they want some of the Agojie warriors. This causes the King to balk and sets up a confrontation with the Oyo that will peak at Ouidah.

I have to admire the scope and daring of “The Woman King.” There is some risk in making a movie about a subject that is relatively unknown to American audiences.

Yet everything about this picture reveals that it is a passion project. The meticulousness of the sets and costumes speaks to the research involved to render these believable. The performances are inspired to say the least.

The main weakness is the subplot involving Nawi’s adoption. It is just so out-of-the-blue and highly unlikely that it induces incredulity. Worse, it is completely unnecessary to the plot. The movie would have succeeded without this twist, which makes the movie descend into soap-opera territory. The movie is long enough as it is at two hours and fifteen minutes.

Otherwise the plot flows organically. The screenplay does not waste time much on exposition preferring to show daily life as opposed to giving historical backstory.

The Agojie are aptly portrayed as a warrior class. We don’t just see them in action. We see them living together. We see them practice for warfare and train new recruits. Nanisca and her main advisor Amenza (Sheila Atim) are part of the King’s Council.

When we do see the Agojie in action, the scenes are well-choreographed. The sense of battle lust and chaos is well-captured. Not every Agojie survives. In one battle, some are taken prisoner to be sold as slaves. I appreciated the uniqueness of some weapons that were used.

The acting is uniformly excellent. Viola Davis shines as Nanisca, whether she is in battle or weary taking a bath in a refreshing pool. She inhabits her character completely. When the dubious subplot, which involves her, occurs, she is very believable.

Of the other actors, Sheila Atim as Amenza and Lashana Lynch as Izogie deserve special mention. Atim shows a wide range of emotions as she cares for Nanisca and serves as her devoted compatriot. Lynch as Izogie gives a subtle but moving performance as Nawi’s mentor and friend.

The theme of whether or not the Dahomey should participate in slavery is pivotal to the film. I had not heard much of how African tribes abetted the European/American slave trade by capturing each other so it was interesting to see this play out in a cinematic landscape. The horrors of slavery are vividly portrayed when we see the cages and selling blocks at Ouidah.

Another theme is the issue of Nanisca’s post-traumatic stress from being the victim of rape when she was captured and abused by the Oyo when she was younger. The brief vignettes are harrowing to watch.
This speaks to the status of women in this society. On the one hand, the Agojie are revered. Yet on the other hand Nawi was going to be sold into marriage to a man she didn’t choose.

A thoughtful and moving picture. Not suitable for young children.

Four and a half out of five stars

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) as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life. Some things are worth fighting for…

Cast: Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, John Boyega
Directed by: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Story by: Maria Bello and Dana Stevens
Screenplay by: Dana Stevens