Key Takeaways:
• Millie Bobby Brown stars in new Netflix movie ‘Damsel’.
• Despite receiving mixed reviews, ‘Damsel’ garnered 35.3 million views in 3 days.
• The movie landed a No.1 spot in 79 countries upon release.
• Brown portrays Princess Elodie whose struggle for survival forms the crux of the story.
• Critics appreciated Brown’s commitment towards her role in the movie.
Millie Bobby Brown in Netflix’s Dark Fantasy
Known for her performance in “Stranger Things”, actress Millie Bobby Brown’s recent venture, the dark fantasy ‘Damsel’, has managed to gain considerable attention despite mixed reviews. Directed by renowned filmmaker Juan Carlos Fresnadillo for Netflix, the film reached a significant 35.3 million views in just three days of its release, suggesting a strong fanbase for Brown and dark fantasy genre films.
“Damsel” features Brown as Princess Elodie, who goes through a series of dramatic events following a marriage proposal. In an unforeseen turn of events, Princess Elodie realizes that her acceptance is to be used as a means to repay debts. What ensues is a survival story filled with the peril of a lurking dragon in the chasm, offering viewers a blend of fantasy and suspense.
Mixed Responses Tinge Early Success
Despite recording an impressive 35.3 million views and nearly 64.8 million hours of viewership according to Netflix Tudum data, ‘Damsel’ hit the screen amid mixed responses. Critics offered a lukewarm reception, with the character failing to make its mark despite Brown’s robust performance. A set of audience and spectators echoed similar sentiments, with some stressing on the character development aspect.
The film garners a 56% score on the Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer and made it to the Top 10 in 93 countries. Notably, despite the mixed reviews, ‘Damsel’ debuted at No. 1 in 79 countries.
Public Opinion on ‘Damsel’
Some fans voiced their disapproval, going as far as to label the movie as “absolute trash” and “awful”. Criticisms hit more harshly on plot holes and story progression, with one viewer expressing disappointment in the narrative inconsistencies with phrases such as – ‘the movie makes less sense than Dylan Mulvaney pretending to be a woman.’ Others opined that the script was weak, and Hollywood writers should have been more diligent.
Millie Bobby Brown on her Role and Challenges
Addressing her character and her experience while filming ‘Damsel’, Brown expressed her fondness for the fantasy genre during a virtual interview with Vogue India. Talking about the challenges she faced during the filming process, Millie said, “I’ve never put my body through something like that before”. Elodie’s anger, bravery, and fear run in parallel lines throughout the movie. And Millie’s execution of the physically demanding role receives applause.
The transformation of the character, Brown noted, is both visible and subtle: “Starting with long hair and ending up with short hair, starting with a wedding dress and ending up in the chemise under her wedding dress.” Brown added that she loved how she could mirror her own growth through Elodie’s journey – shedding layers of a persona along with the costume.
Despite the criticism, Brown’s performance in ‘Damsel’ stands out, adding another feather to her cap. ‘Damsel’ is streaming on Netflix. Whether it continues its early success run will depend on how well it resonates with a wider audience in the coming weeks.
