Netflix’s Damsel, a new fantasy film and modern take on the classic damsel in distress trope is set to be released later this year. The film is the fourth directorial outing for Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and his first produced exclusively for Netflix.

Fresnadillo is the mind behind the Spanish films Intacto and Intruders, as well as the 2007 hit horror film 28 Weeks Later. Fresnadillo began his career with the short films Esposados and Psicotaxi, which received favorable reviews. Esposados was even nominated for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film in 1996. In addition, Fresnadillo has worked on television, directing episodes of Falling Water and Salvation.

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Now, Fresnadillo is stepping back into the director’s chair after some time away. Dan Mazeau is penning the script, and Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum will produce for PMCA Productions and Roth/Kirschenbaum Films. Netflix has exclusive distribution rights. So with that, what else do we know about Damsel? What can we expect from the story, and how will it subvert elements of the damsel in distress that Hollywood has utilized in fantasy films for decades? Which names will we see in the cast? When can audiences see the movie? What else should we know about Netflix’s Damsel?

Damsel: The Plot

     Netflix

As we know, Damsel will subvert some of the oldest conventions in the industry. What do we know about fantasy damsels in distress? Typically, a princess is captured or in danger, and a knight in shining armor has to risk everything to save her. People see the princess as helpless and unable to do anything to free herself. That’s when the knight comes in and easily defeats whoever or whatever (often a dragon, which audiences love to see) is putting the princess in danger. Usually, the princess is so grateful after being rescued that she and the knight fall in love, get married, and live happily ever after. It’s something we’ve all seen countless times (and honestly, after the Shrek franchise’s mastering of the trope, no one else should even try). However, the concept of a helpless woman needing a man to rescue her would be less well-received today. So, how will Damsel play off that? We have a plot synopsis that gives us more details.

Lead character Princess Elodie is perfectly comfortable going along with established tradition, fulfilling her royal duties of marrying a prince and living out her days as his wife. However, when she realizes that no one is coming to save her from becoming a dragon sacrifice, she must take her fate into her own hands. From what we know about the plot, we can expect our lead to go on a journey of self-discovery, where she learns that she alone is responsible for her destiny.

Just from the title, we can infer that there will likely be jabs at some of the more outdated concepts within the damsel in distress genre. If Damsel succeeds, it could make its mark as a great modern fantasy film. Who knows, it could also lead to a resurgence in classic fantasy films, where we don’t necessarily need a knight in shining armor to save the day.

Production details suggest a European setting, as filming took place in Portugal between February and July 2022. Additional plot information will likely be revealed as production continues.

Damsel: The Cast

     Marvel Studios / Disney

Netflix has a star-studded cast lined up for Damsel. Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown plays the lead role of Princess Elodie, who takes her fate into her own hands. Additionally, Brown is also set to serve as an executive producer. The film marks Brown’s latest collaboration with Netflix, after Eleven in Stranger Things and her turn as Sherlock’s determined sister in the Enola Holmes franchise. Brown will be joined by the Oscar-nominated Angela Bassett, most recently seen in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Bassett is playing Lady Bayford, the stepmother of Princess Elodie.

In addition to Brown and Bassett, Love, Simon star Nick Robinson plays Prince Henry, the “handsome prince” and arranged love interest for Princess Elodie. English actor Ray Winstone, recently seen in Black Widow, is portraying the King, likely the father of Prince Henry and the one who wants to sacrifice Princess Elodie. Robin Wright of House of Cards is Queen Isabelle, the wife of the King. Additional cast members include actors Brooke Carter and The Expanse’s Shoreh Agdashloo. Neither Carter nor Agdashloo currently has a confirmed role.

We can expect additional casting information and more details on existing cast members and roles in the coming weeks and months leading up to the release date.

Release Date

Damsel is set to be released on Netflix on October 13, 2023.