REVIEW: “Red Sonja” (2025)

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Red Sonja, the fearsome warrior and swordswoman, has a rich background in popular culture. Although she is widely recognized today, her character was initially developed by Roy Thomas in 1973, drawing some inspiration from Robert E. Howard’s Red Sonya of Rogatino, created in 1934. Notably, it was the same Roy Thomas who introduced Conan the Barbarian to mainstream American comics, and he often paired Red Sonja with Conan in their adventures set in the Hyborian Age. It wasn’t until 1977 that she received her very own self-titled comic series.

People who aren’t familiar with comic books might recall Red Sonja from the less successful 1985 film featuring Brigitte Nielsen. This movie was a spin-off from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s popular Conan films, but unfortunately, it didn’t fare well critically or commercially. Despite this, plans for a reboot emerged in 2008 and again in 2015, yet both projects fell apart during their initial stages. However, by 2021, a script had been developed, and by the following year, M.J. Bassett was set to direct the project.

Ready for its premiere, “Red Sonja” endeavors to rekindle the charm of the 1980s sword-and-sorcery pulp genre. In essence, it’s a nostalgic action-fantasy that aligns with the bloodier films of that era. However, it bears little resemblance to the 1985 film and only loosely follows the more recent comic series. Instead, Bassett steers Red Sonja towards several fresh avenues while maintaining her core character traits.

In a dedicated performance, Matilda Lutz embodies the titular character completely. As Red Sonja, she portrays a skilled warrior who carries hidden weaknesses stemming from her past, with much of this backstory rooted in her childhood. A sequence of flashbacks unfolds, painting a picture of her being torn away from her community as a child when their village was brutally attacked by invaders. Now, Sonja journeys alone through the expansive Dyrkania forest, guided only by her steadfast companion, a loyal horse, in pursuit of her long-lost kin, the Arkanians.

Following a righteous retribution against some arrogant hunters, Sonja gets captured by the movie’s main antagonist, Draygan (portrayed by Robert Sheehan). Accompanied by his group, they venture through the forest in search of animals for their arena. Upon her capture, Sonja is thrust into a pit of gladiators whose sole fate is to meet an extraordinary demise. The resemblance to Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” is undeniable. Draygan informs Sonja that she can regain her freedom by winning in the arena, and the only way to win there is by earning the crowd’s favor (does this sound familiar?). As her bravery captivates the other gladiators, they decide to fight alongside her.

Regarding Draygan, he embodies various fantasy villain stereotypes yet Tasha Huo and Bassett intricately craft a personal history for him, adding unique characteristics. Draygan proclaims himself as an emperor on a quest to obtain the second part of a sacred book, which he believes verifies his role in a legendary prophecy. This makes him the embodiment of power-hungry megalomaniacs, leveraging his crude machinery and loyal troops to suppress adversaries. Interestingly, Draygan also shows cowardice, frequently hiding behind the very armies he commands.

Without much astonishment, the narrative progresses towards an unavoidable confrontation between Sonja and Draygan. This journey takes us through a world steeped in ancient mythology, teeming with mythical beings and breathtaking natural scenery. Simultaneously, there are instances of humor and scenes where the movie’s financial limitations become apparent. Yet, Bassett delivers a captivating tale, characterized by stunning landscapes, intense violence, and a strong-willed protagonist at its heart.

For numerous people (including myself), “Red Sonja” serves as an enjoyable nod to a largely overlooked era in sword and sorcery filmmaking. This movie honors the magic (and occasionally the ridiculousness) of ’80s films with respect, but it also includes humorous lines that prevent it from becoming too self-important. It features all the essential elements of Sonja – her fierce warrior spirit, fiery red hair, and signature chain mail bikini – yet it’s self-aware enough to mock the old-school exploitation from her past. All in all, “Red Sonja” is a feature-length adaptation that Red Sonja has long been worthy of.

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2025-08-13 18:08