The Princess (2022) – Review/ Summary (with Spoilers)
In this action-packed movie, a young princess (who isn’t given an actual name) takes her fate into her own hands, even if it means putting her kingdom at risk.
[Unless Said Otherwise] Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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In this action-packed movie, a young princess (who isn’t given an actual name) takes her fate into her own hands, even if it means putting her kingdom at risk.
| Director(s) | Le-Van Kiet |
| Screenplay By | Ben Lustig, Jake Thornton |
| Date Released (Hulu) | 7/1/2022 |
| Genre(s) | Action, Comedy, Young Adult |
| Duration | 1 Hour, 34 Minutes |
| Content Rating | Rated R |
| Noted Cast | |
| Julius | Dominic Cooper |
| The Princess | Joey King |
| Linh | Veronica Ngo |
| Moira | Olga Kurylenko |
This content contains pertinent spoilers.
Film Summary
By rejecting Julius’ at the altar, the Princess causes immense chaos as Julius decides to attack the following night and take over by force. For with the idea being he will force the Princess to kneel and accept her fate, he thinks he’ll have it easy. However, what Julius doesn’t know is that the Princess, for years, has been training in swordplay with her best friend Linh, and she is no damsel in distress.
Things To Note
- Reason(s) for Film Rating: Cursing (Mostly derogatory terms against women), Violence (Blood, cuts, people getting hanged, and decapitation), Sexual Content (Hints at soldiers wanting to sexually assault women), Miscellaneous (drinking)
Question(s) Left Unanswered
- Why wasn’t the Princess given a name?
Character Descriptions
Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.
Julius
The son of a diplomat, who was promised The Princess’ hand due to the current royal family producing no male heirs, it is learned Julius is not his father’s son. He’d rather rule with an iron fist and violence over diplomacy.
The Princess
A multi-talented young woman, since she was a girl, she was interested in becoming a knight and swordplay, which her mother allowed, as long as the King didn’t find out. And her mother allowing her to be who she wished to be might just save the kingdom.
Linh
The niece of the King’s advisor, Linh, mainly focused on The Princess’ education, but when not teaching her the ways of the lady, she taught her the ways of the sword. Which wasn’t always easy since The Princess can be quite impetuous.
Moira
In public, Moira is Julius’ right hand who holds some sway and power because of him and will prove herself deserving of it when he isn’t around if you test her. But, in private? Moira is the woman Julius lusts for, maybe even loves, but with her lacking a notable status, she isn’t the woman he chooses to marry.
Review
Our Rating: Mixed (Divisive)
Highlights
The Princess Was Shown To Be A Badass, But Not Invincible
Throughout the movie, the Princess shows herself as a capable soldier. Yes, she may not be the tallest, biggest, or strongest in most of her combat situations, but she has heart. She doesn’t have a WWE-level skill of climbing on people or doing Hurricanranas, but she is resourceful enough to know when to hide, and use her environment, or items in it, alongside weak points. Which, of course, includes a kick to the groin every now and again.
But, unlike many movies that have a hero like the Princess, she isn’t infallible. She takes hits, gets cut, loses battles, and shows she still has much to learn. Because of this, it allows you to implement some sense of her potentially not winning, and because she didn’t marry this man, her being written in history as the woman who caused the fall of the kingdom.
Moira As A Villain
While Moira is initially introduced as a consort, the woman who likely will be Julius’ mistress throughout his marriage to the Princess, she proves herself more than that. With her whip, she commands respect, and as you watch her face off with Linh and the Princess? She gains your respect. She is not like Julius, who often sends his men to do the work. She gets her hands dirty and kills a few people with a hidden blade at the end of her whip.
On The Fence
Julius As A Villain
In the grand scheme of things, the patriarchy is the true villain considering the inability of women to inherit the throne is the cause for all we see in “The Princess.” However, someone has to represent the patriarchy, and while the King certainly upholds it, Julius uses tradition like a shield and sword. But, as with any character who uses patriarchal values to justify his actions, Julius is basic. He doesn’t push the idea that he should be seen as a complicated figure, and the only thing that keeps him from being a low point is that he is comical in some ways.
Granted, potentially comical in a way not intended, but what do you expect from a thinly written character played by a good actor? They will put their own spin on him, and with him being a straightforward villain? Especially one with unpopular societal values? Why not make him come off like an idiot?
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