Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the highly anticipatedaction-dramaThe Woman Kingfinally came to screen on July 03, 2025. Written by Dana Stevens and based on a narrative from Maria Bello, the film follows a group of Agojie warriors, an all-woman soldier group from the West African Kingdom of Dahomey. The Kingdom was recognized as one of the most powerful African states in the 18th and 19th centuries. With Oscar-winning actressViola Davis, together with Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, and Sheila Atim, among many others, making up the cast, the movie looked like it wasdestined for success.However, since its release, the film has received mixed reactions from fans and critics. While many praised the movie, regarding it as an exceptional cinematic masterpiece, others had numerous issues with the setting of the film and representations in the storyline. The film, like any other, appears to have its positives and negatives, whether it be idealization or breaking stereotypes. Viewers soon took to social media to share their opinions onThe Woman King.Here’s what they had to say.
An Exceptional Film
The first impression for many viewers was that the film was “cinema at its finest.” The moving and gripping narrative was commended by many, and the movie was regarded as providing a correct depiction of both history and culture.@YeahImFamous, expressing their viewers on Twitter, said:
“The Woman King is just… Cinema at its finest. Our history and culture is even more beautiful when it’s done right on screen. Everyone please go see greatness . I salute @violadavis @JohnBoyega @ThusoMbedu & cast ðð¾ðð¾ðð¾ðð¾ #TheWomanKing”
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Otherscalled the film“a spiritual experience” and credited the film for being fully able to appeal to the emotions of its viewers and even move them to tears. Fans ofThe Woman Kingalso loved the movie to such a degree that it warranted repeated views within the same week. Many also appreciated the questions that the film’s storyline was able to raise. User@sandylockswrote:
“Yes I sure did go see The Woman King for the third time this week! Yes it is that good!! Yes, it awakens our thirst for new storytelling. Yes it raises timeless questions about intra- African complicity. And yes these performances are breathtaking. See it. And then we talk.”
Praise for the Cast
Viewers ofThe Woman Kingwere blown away by the cast’s performances. Much praise was afforded to actresses such as Lashana Lynch, Viola Davis, and Thuso Mbedu. The sounds, cinematography, and costumes, coupled with the cast’s performances, garnered resoundingly positive reviews forThe Woman King.Twitter user@LukeHearfieldwrote:
“Gina Prince-Bythewood’s historical epic The Woman King is a fiercely entertaining piece of cinema. Viola Davis and Thuso Mbedu deliver ferociously good performances. Everything works: score, costumes, sets, sound & cinematography. ensure to see it in cinema! #TIFF22”
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It was not only fans that were taken up with the performances of the warriors on screen. John Boyega, who plays King Ghezo inThe Woman King,alsocommended the performancesof his female co-stars. Boyega said he found the actresses “inspirational” given the fact that they spent up to five hours a day in grueling training sessions in preparation for the historical epic.
#BoycottWomanKing
However, not all reviews ofThe Woman Kingwere positive. A significant number of viewers had multiple concerns regarding the setting of the film and the decisions made by producers. The choice to make the Dahomey Tribe the center of the plot attracted most of the heat.@EqualityEd, taking to Twitter, said:
“Let’s be honest folk. It’s movie about a African tribe famous for selling slaves to Europeans that was made into a female empowerment story by two White women writers. You don’t have to be very “woke” to see the problem here.”
Owing to the contention regarding its representation of the Dahomey Tribe and its role in the slave trade, actressViola Davis, who plays General Naniscain the film, also became the center of negative reviews. User@ThePencilPimp, expressing their opinion of the tribe’s history, said:
“Viola Davis can ugly-cry onscreen all she wants in the #antimale #antiwhite agitprop film #TheWomanKing.
Just remember that it was HER character’s tribe who sold OTHER BLACKS to the “Colonizahs” & we were sold cheap. She sold our ancestors for cigarettes, alcohol & rifles.”
Reviews by critics have also faulted the film for simplifying the complicated history of Dahomey. In doing so and portraying Dahomey’s female soldiers as African liberators, the movie is criticized for missing crucial historical reality.
Opposition to the Boycott
Despite the calls to #BoycootWomanKing, a segment of viewers has come to the film’s defense. Although it has its pitfalls,The Woman Kinghas also been credited as a film that showcases female soldiers in nuanced ways, giving them individuality and focusing on their struggles and humanity. Twitter user@lmona823wrote:
“Do NOT #BoycottWomanKing
Instead, learn more. The movie delves into the horrors of the slave trade and how it affected black women, especially.
It doesn’t glorify slavery, it condemns it.”
Viewers were also highly critical of those who were airing their thoughts without having watched the movie. Arguing that the film should at least be watched before any views are formed,@NandoGigabasaid:
“go watch #womanking & return with an informed opinion.
most of you are talking about how people aren’t informed or aren’t doing their research about the tribe & their history. you mean like discussing a movie you’ve never watched & having opinions about it?”
The Woman Kinghas clearly given rise to many negative and positive opinions. If you haven’t watched the action-drama yet, the film is only available for viewing in theaters at the time of writing. However, it will make its debut on streaming services in time to come.
