Initially, the anticipation surrounding the new version of Red Sonja was predominantly unfavorable. This was partly because fantasy has been waning in Hollywood and the project faced a loss of studio backing following a protracted development phase. Originally conceived as a platform for Rose McGowan and director Robert Rodriguez, the project evolved into a labor of love for director M.J. Bassett. Fortunately, that dedication shines through, leading to an action-packed movie that doesn’t disappoint due to lack of effort.
In the style of many action-packed movies about swords and magic, Red Sonja starts by depicting a peaceful village being devastated by invaders. The narrative then progresses through time, showing Red Sonja (Matilda Lutz) maturing as she ventures deep into the unyielding Hyrkanian woods in search of her missing tribe. Meanwhile, Draygan (Robert Sheehan), a wannabe ruler, is also wandering these same woods, looking for the second part of an ancient book.
In their encounter, Sonja stumbles upon Draygan and his group confining creatures for use in his fighting pit. This act disturbs Sonja deeply, as her tribe coexists peacefully with nature and refrains from hunting or sport-killing. Her attempts to save the animals unfortunately result in her own enslavement within the arena. Swiftly, just like uttering “I am Spartacus,” Sonja incites a rebellion among the gladiators. Eventually, she embarks on her path towards becoming the legendary Red Sonja.
Red Sonja’s fatal flaw is trying to do too much
Red Sonja struggles under its two-hour timeframe due to an overabundance of plot and characters. Tasha Huo’s script cleverly amalgamates several comic characters for efficiency, such as merging Osin the Skald (played by Luca Pasqualino) with Osric the Untouched from Gail Simone’s comics. This results in a unique character that embodies aspects of both original figures.
In terms of storyline, this film could easily be expanded into an entire season’s worth of content, similar to popular series like Game of Thrones. However, many of these narratives feel incomplete. A notable instance is the tale of Annisia (Wallis Day), who transitioned from a slave to Draygan’s bodyguard and aspires to be his empress. Annisia also shares origins with a character created by Gail Simone, much like how she was tormented by the spirits of those she had killed in the comics. Unfortunately, the depth and backstory seen in the comic-book version of Annisia are not present here, as she was previously depicted as a fighting slave alongside Red Sonja before their relationship blossomed into love.
Fortunately, despite Red Sonja being weighed down by its narrative, its action scenes manage to make up for it. Director M.J. Bassett has a knack for favoring practical effects over excessive CGI, a preference that is clearly demonstrated in the film’s numerous well-executed fight sequences, lending the overall production a more authentic and realistic atmosphere.
In simpler terms, the new version of Red Sonja might not appeal to everyone due to its unique style. People expecting a two-hour display of a muscular woman might be better off supporting a bodybuilder on Patreon instead. For those who appreciate Robert E. Howard’s original works and are willing to watch the movie, they may find themselves upset by the seemingly random inclusion of various nations from the Hyborian Age. On the other hand, fans of the comic books and adventure stories will likely enjoy it.
Grade: 7/10.
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2025-08-14 16:11