Damsel in distress? Not anymore. Damsel is a fantasy film with a contemporary take on the common trope. Princess Elodie (Millie Bobby Brown) finds herself thrown into an arranged marriage to a prince, only to find out that the whole thing was a trap.

Brown showcases a fierce and resourceful heroine. Instead of resigning herself to her fate, Elodie uses her quick wit to solve her predicament, escape the wrath of a dragon, and confront a corrupt kingdom. Elodie's journey from a poised princess to a battle-worn survivor — all while in a wedding dress — challenges outdated notions of femininity and strength.

No ground broken here. While Brown delivers a compelling performance, the character and the plot are lacking in innovation. Brown herself has previously played an expectation-defying young woman in more than one role, so while the mechanics of the film feels stale, the actress uses her experience to bring life into the character. There are a few glimmers of ingenuity in a film that may mostly feel shoddily put together.

WHERE TO WATCH- You can watch Damsel on Netflix or watch the trailer (runtime: 2:59).

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