Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and DVD from director Gina Prince-Bythewood and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the story of THE WOMAN KING.

It is 1823 in West Africa and General Nanisca (Viola Davis) lives in the kingdom of Dahomey. As the leader, she takes the group of women warriors known as the Agojie, to free Dahomean women who are taken by the Oyo Empire. Their motive is to sell the women to slavers.

King Ghezo (John Boyega) is outraged and knows it will be war against the Oyo. Preparing, Nanisca begins to train a new batch of women who want to be Agojie warriors. Among these is Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), a young girl who refuses anyone that her father wants her to marry. Fed up with her defiance, he drops her off at the gates of the Agojie training camp. Immediately, Nawi becomes friends with Izogi (Lashana Lynch) who is very close to Nanisca.

The Oyo are not done with the Dahomean people as Santo Ferreira (Hero Fiennes), a Portuguese slaver, is working with General Oba Ade (Jimmy Odukoya). Nawi learns from her friendship with a young Malik (Jordan Bolger), that the Oyo plan to attack and she tells Nanisca. Nanisca has a few secrets of her own to tell Nawi about a time she was captured by Oba and the terror she endured.

Nanisca and the warriors attack the Oyo but Nawi and Izogie are captured and put on the market. Nanisca is told by King Ghezo to stand down but she makes it clear that she is not going to leave Nawi in the hands of those who will harm her.

Now, the Agoji and General Nanisca are about to show what courage and determination look like!

Davis as Nanisca is dedicated to training and fighting for her King. Training the new women is important and makes it clear how they work together as a team and the importance their history. Davis gives us a strong character with moments of real emotion and strength but then again, that is exactly how we have come to see this amazing actress.

Mbedu as Nawi is equally as strong as a young girl who will not be tied to domestic life. Being dropped off with the Agojie becomes the focus she needs to starting a new life. Mbedu’s performance is full of defiance and it makes for such an appealing character to watch from start to finish.

Boyega as the King is basically a leader who wants to do right by his people. Realizing Nanisca is a strong female presence for his people, even if he forbids her to do things, he also knows she is going to do what’s right.

Bolger as Malik is a young man who understands the old kingdom and the new slavers. Knowing what is right and wrong, his friendship with Nawi allows him to do what’s right. Odukoya as General Oba Ade shows the attitude and oppression of slavers which is a rough role to take but important at the same time.

Other cast includes Sheila Atim as Amenza, Masali Baduza as Fumbe, Jayme Lawson as Shante, Adrienne Warren as Ode, Siv Ngesi as Migan, Angelique Kidjo as Meunon, Zozibini Tunzi as Efe, Makgoso M as Iniya, Thando Dlomo as Kelu and Julian Tennon as Moru.

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Bonus Content includes A Caterpillar’s Destruction, Viola Davis on Set, Representation Matters, Woman/Warriors, Storytellers, Thuso Mbedu Auditions, Filmmaker and Commentary.

The African-American Film Critics Association has given the film Best Picture as well as the National Board of Review Top Ten Film. The film is also a nominee with the DiscussionFilm Critics Award, Hollywood Critics Association Creative Arts Award, Hollywood Music in Media Awards, Satellite Awards, Sunset Film Circle Awards and The Female Movie Star of 2022 for Viola Davis.

THE WOMAN KING is a thought-provoking look at a time in the history of African slavery. To see the amazing Agojie come together with a single goal of protecting a kingdom, its people and fighting against slavery on their own front.

Davis leads a cast that is strong and as fierce as the warriors they portray. It is a story of strong connections, family, love, and knowing that everything they believe in deserves to be protected and cherished.

In the end – inspired by true events!

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