Fix: Found Family, LGBTQ+, Humor, Shapeshifters, Genre Blending
Platforms: Netflix
Netflix Summary:
A knight framed for a tragic crime teams up with a scrappy, shape-shifting teen to prove his innocence. But what if she’s the monster he’s sworn to destroy?
FYA Summary:
This movie is based on a graphic novel by N. D. Stevenson. Centuries ago, a warrior named Gloreth drove away a monster threatening her people and founded an order of knights to guard her kingdom. Today, Sir Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) is the first knighthood candidate in history who isn’t descended from the original order. When his sword morphs into a ray gun and starts shooting seconds after his knighting, every snob in the city takes this as a sign he should never have been chosen. Nobody believes he’s innocent; even his boyfriend, Ambrosius Goldenloin (Eugene Lee Yang), has doubts. When Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), a brash young girl shunned for her shape-shifting powers, offers to be Ballister’s villain sidekick – “whatever your dark heart desires, boss” – she’s the last thing he wants, but they might both be exactly what the other needs.
Familiar Voices:
Chloë Grace Moretz as Nimona and Riz Ahmed as Sir Ballister Boldheart
The last movie I saw starring this actress was If I Stay, in which she played the ghost of a quiet, wistful cello prodigy. The character of Nimona couldn’t be more different: she changes moods as quickly as she changes shapes, gleefully chaotic, shrewdly insightful and heartbreakingly lonely by turns.
The actor who played Bodhi Rook in Star Wars: Rogue One appears here as an honorable man fighting desperately to prove he’s not a criminal, and struggling with the moral dilemma of needing to break the law (and fight the man he loves) to do so. His confusion, exasperation and compassion while working with Nimona are on point; he doesn’t understand her, but at least he’s open to learning.
Eugene Lee Yang as Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin
As a descendant of their kingdom’s founder, Gloreth, he enjoys his celebrity status, but still feels the pressure of living up to his ancestor’s name. He doesn’t want to believe his boyfriend is a murderer, but if Ballister didn’t do it, then the entire system they’ve lived by might be wrong. Ambrosius’ comically earnest attempts to figure out the truth make him one of the most endearing characters in this story.
Couch-Sharing Capability: Discretion Advised
This movie may be a wacky, cartoonish thrill ride in some ways, but in others, it feels very real. People are killed onscreen; suicide is discussed and attempted; prejudice is systemic and runs far deeper than any one person. I thought the themes of found family and second chances were powerful enough to make this story more healing than harmful, but that’s just my opinion. Only watch this if you’re up for it, please.
Recommended Drink: Pink Lemonade
The color of Nimona’s hair, fur or scales, and sweet enough to make you bounce around with energy like she does. With or without a splash of alcohol if, like Ballister, you feel disillusioned by society and want to drown your sorrows.
Use of Your Streaming Subscription: Metal
“Metal” is Nimona’s catchphrase, usually spoken through a mouthful of shark teeth. It’s also the highest compliment she can give. If you liked She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018) or Steven Universe, genre-blending fantasy/science-fiction series that deconstruct the hero myth and are queer in both text and subtext, this movie is for you.
We published this review during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. This work would not exist without the labor of writers and actors, and we support their goals.
My daughter and I LOVED this movie. It was just so clever and well-written and beautiful. All the voice work was on point, and we may have gone around hissing “METAL” for a few weeks when we were happy.
I was a little taken aback at the changes at first, but quickly came to realize that the movie stood on its own as great, changes be darned. Both it and the book are wonderful. And the cast really was fantastic!