About Woman King
“The Woman King” is an American historical action drama film set in the 1820s that tells the story of the Agojie, an all-female warrior unit that protected the West African Kingdom of Dahomey during the 17th to 19th centuries. Viola Davis stars as a general who trains the next generation of warriors to fight their enemies, alongside Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, and John Boyega. The film is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and written by Dana Stevens, based on a story she wrote with Maria Bello.
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Bello came up with the idea for “The Woman King” in 2015 after visiting Benin, where the kingdom used to be located, and learning about the Agojie’s history. She recruited Cathy Schulman to develop it into a feature film, but several studios turned it down due to financial concerns. After pitching it to TriStar Pictures in 2017, the film was greenlit in 2020. Production began in South Africa in November 2021 but was shut down due to the COVID-19 Omicron variant a few weeks later, and resumed in early 2022. Polly Morgan served as the cinematographer. The musical score was composed by Terence Blanchard, and editing was completed by Terilyn A. Shropshire during post-production.
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“The Woman King” had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2022, and was released in theaters in the United States on September 16, 2022, by Sony Pictures Releasing. Critics praised Davis’s performance and the action choreography but criticized the portrayal of historical elements. The film received nominations for Best Costume Design, Best Acting Ensemble, Best Director, and Best Actress for Davis at the 28th Critics’ Choice Awards. Additionally, Davis earned Best Actress nominations at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild, BAFTA Film Awards, and NAACP Image Awards.
Plot/Story
The film “The Woman King” takes place in 1823 in Dahomey, a West African kingdom. General Nanisca, leader of the Agojie, an all-female group of warriors, rescues Dahomean women who were kidnapped by slavers from the Oyo Empire, which causes King Ghezo of Dahomey to prepare for war with the Oyo. Nanisca trains a new generation of warriors, including Nawi, a brave girl who had been promised to the king by her father. Nawi befriends veteran Agojie Izogie and reveals to Nanisca that she was adopted and has a birthmark on her left shoulder, which shocks Nanisca.
Portuguese slave traders led by Santo Ferreira and accompanied by half-Dahomean Malik, allied with the Oyo and led by General Oba Ade, arrive in Dahomey. Nawi befriends Malik and discovers the Oyo’s plans to attack. After reporting to Nanisca, Nawi is scolded for her recklessness. Nanisca reveals that she was once captured by Oba, raped, and impregnated. After giving birth to a daughter, Nanisca embedded a shark tooth in her left shoulder and gave the child away. With Nawi’s help, Nanisca removes the tooth and discovers that Nawi is her biological daughter.
During an attack on the Oyo, Nawi, Fumbe, and Izogie are captured, but Fumbe manages to escape and report their fate to Nanisca. Ghezo refuses to authorize a rescue mission for the captive Agojie. Meanwhile, Malik buys Nawi to protect her, and Izogie dies attempting to escape. Nanisca defies orders and sets out to rescue the captives. In the chaos, Nawi escapes and reunites with Nanisca. Malik frees other slaves and drowns Ferreira, while Nanisca kills Oba in single combat. The triumphant Agojie returns to Dahomey, where Ghezo crowns Nanisca as the Woman King, his partner and equal in ruling Dahomey. In the end, Nanisca and Nawi acknowledge their familial relationship in private.
The Woman King Cast
Viola Davis as General Nanisca
Wanda Banda as Young Nanisca
Thuso Mbedu as Nawi
Lashana Lynch as Izogie
Sheila Atim as Amenza
Lethabo as Young Amenza
Hero Fiennes Tiffin as Santo Ferreira
John Boyega as King Ghezo
Jordan Bolger as Malik
Jimmy Odukoya as General Oba Ade
Joel Mukadi as Young Oba
Masali Baduza as Fumbe
Jayme Lawson as Shante
Adrienne Warren as Ode
Siv Ngesi as the Migan
Angélique Kidjo as the Meunon
Zozibini Tunzi as Efe
Makgotso M as Iniya
Thando Dlomo as Kelu
Julian Tennon as Moru
The Woman King Release date
The Woman King had its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2022, and was later released in theaters by Sony Pictures Releasing on September 16, 2022, with worldwide distribution handled by Sony except for Canada and the United Kingdom, where Entertainment One was responsible.
On November 22, 2022, the film was made available for VOD, followed by a release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K UHD by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment in the United States on December 13, 2022. In the United Kingdom, the DVD and Blu-ray were released by Entertainment One and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (via Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) on February 13, 2023.
As part of a first window deal with Sony Pictures, Netflix in the United States received The Woman King 153 days after its theatrical release, on February 16, 2023.
