The Woman King blends Oscar bait with blockbuster, taking the safest elements of both genres. It's a historical epic of an underrepresented region, there's a twist, and the characters are distinct. Still, the overall plotlines are formulaic. Conversely, the acting is dynamic with accents, choreography, intensity, layers, and vulnerability. Davis is commanding, but the entire cast displays range. Finally, there's productive dialogue, character arcs, setup/payoff, themes of unity, and impactful loss. Much of that is undercut by the script's predictability, but these ingredients maintain competency. Therefore, while The Woman King isn't particularly bold, it's reasonably dramatic.
Similarly, The Woman King has satisfactory filmmaking. Its cast is optimal and its production design is elaborate (especially the meaningful costumes). However, beyond that, the film is more good than great. The regional music is atmospheric and emotional, yet becomes cliche at times. The sound enhances complex battles and visceral injuries, but abstract techniques are sparse (like echoes, risers, distortions, and silence). Meanwhile, the cinematography is basic (outside of its lighting), the effects are adequate (using some CGI), and the editing is a bit muddled (stumbling on pacing and action clarity). Consequently, The Woman King is firmly proficient but not transcendent.
Writing: 7/10
Direction: 7/10
Cinematography: 7/10
Acting: 9/10
Editing: 6/10
Sound: 8/10
Score/Soundtrack: 8/10
Production Design: 9/10
Casting: 9/10
Effects: 7/10
Overall Score: 7.7/10
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