Surprisingly good

If you’re looking for a straightforward but well-made inverted fairy tale this is pretty entertaining.

Damsel features some polished looking kingdoms with ornate and elaborate sets and costume designs but the movie is at its strongest when it steps away from those trappings and instead opts for grittier and modest surroundings like Elodie’s winter-ravaged northern kingdom or the elaborate cave system that serves as the dragon’s lair. Where the movie exceeds however is in Shohreh Aghdashloo’s vocal performance as the dragon who creates a memorable, menacing, and often times frightening antagonist. Not only does the dragon sound good, but it’s also well designed with a striking, distinct, and expressive face that the effects team are to be commended for crafting.

Millie Bobby Brown shows strong presence in lengthy stretches where she’s the only character on screen and has to react to effects that will be put in later. Damsel keeps its focus primarily on the survival game which is its strong suit. Angela Bassett also feels like she’s kind of wasted in a role that has promise with her being a more benevolent stepmother in contrast to the fairy tale trope, but unfortunately like Robin Wright it feels more like a placeholder role that doesn’t allow too much.

Damsel creates a memorable antagonist and a solid hero and pits the two against each other in entertaining and often brutal ways in an efficient and effective manner.