Damsel (2024), an upcoming Netflix fantasy-adventure film starring Millie Bobby Brown, takes the classic fairy tale structure and flips it on its head, delivering a story of courage, resilience, and self-empowerment. Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (28 Weeks Later), Damsel presents a fresh and modern take on the damsel-in-distress trope, focusing on a young woman who must rely on her own wits and strength to survive in a fantastical, dangerous world.
The trailer opens with a picturesque medieval landscape, showing a grand, gleaming castle atop a hill. Inside, we are introduced to Princess Elodie (Millie Bobby Brown), dressed in regal attire, preparing for what appears to be her royal wedding. She looks nervous but determined, as the voiceover reveals that she has been betrothed to a prince from a faraway kingdom in what seems to be a fairy-tale ending. However, the tone shifts dramatically as Elodie learns the terrible truth: she’s not being married into a life of luxury—she’s being sacrificed to a terrifying, fire-breathing dragon to protect the kingdom.
Cut to chaos: Elodie, in chains, is taken to the dragon’s lair, a dark and forbidding cave deep in the wilderness. The monstrous creature lurks in the shadows, its fiery eyes glowing ominously. The trailer’s music intensifies as Elodie, terrified but determined to survive, begins to plot her escape.
Rather than waiting for a prince to save her, Elodie decides to take matters into her own hands. The trailer showcases her journey of self-discovery and empowerment as she battles her fears, learning to fight and fend for herself in the harsh and dangerous environment. From sword-fighting to outwitting dangerous creatures in the forest, Elodie evolves from a helpless princess into a fearless warrior. “I am not your prey,” she declares in a moment of defiance, setting the tone for the empowering message of the film.
The action ramps up with thrilling scenes of Elodie facing off against the dragon, escaping perilous traps, and navigating a magical, deadly world filled with treacherous enemies and surprising allies. Along the way, she encounters a group of rebel outcasts, including a rogue knight (played by Nick Robinson) and a wise, mystical guide (Angela Bassett), who help her unlock her inner strength.
The trailer builds to an epic showdown between Elodie and the dragon, showcasing stunning visual effects as flames engulf the screen, and Elodie stands, sword in hand, ready to face the beast. “I was never a damsel,” she proclaims, signaling the ultimate rejection of the traditional fairy-tale narrative.
Damsel promises to be a visually stunning, action-packed fantasy adventure with a strong, empowering lead performance by Millie Bobby Brown. The film blends the high-stakes excitement of a classic adventure with themes of self-reliance, courage, and breaking free from societal expectations.
Scheduled for release on Netflix in 2024, Damsel is backed by a significant budget of $75 million, ensuring top-tier special effects, immersive world-building, and thrilling action sequences. Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and produced by Joe Roth, the film is set to be one of the year’s biggest Netflix releases, offering a fresh, modern take on fairy-tale conventions while delivering a story that resonates with today’s audiences.
