The Woman King: A History Lesson For Feminists

This Netflix historical epic focuses on the Agojie, an all female army in 19th century Benin (known as the kingdom of Dahomey). It centers on General Nanisca (Viola Davis), leader of the Agojie, and new recruit Nawi (Thuso Mbedu) who fight to protect their kingdom from external threats.

I was delightfully surprised that this movie was based on true events. It addressed topics like gender, politics, and colonialism with both transparency and care. While larger themes were included, the movie also focused on personal narratives which I really enjoyed watching. Despite being resilient warriors, these women weren't invincible and they experienced insecurities just like anybody else. These characters showcased the complexity of being female: underestimation, the threat of sexual assault, feeling simultaneously powerful and vulnerable. The acting was amazing because multiple emotions were constantly displayed.

As a history major, I'm always eager to learn about the past. This movie scratched that itch. I loved that it portrayed a stable, resourceful African kingdom fluorishing on its own without any foreign intervention. It dissolved the idea of white saviorism by showing the internal strength of Dahomey, and villainizing the European system of slavery. It was a refreshing take to watch independent governance that needed no "assistance" from colonists.

If it wasn't already obvious, I really enjoyed this movie. It was a great mixture of action and emotion, never feeling too overpowered by either. I particularly enjoyed this portrayal of women, highlighting their bravery but also revealing the difficulties of their roles in leadership and warfare. These stories are definitely needed to teach and emphasize forgotten parts of history.