Film Review: "Nimona"

Nimona is one of the biggest surprises I have seen in 2023 thus far. Originally a production of Blue Sky Studios, and now picked up by Annapurna Pictures, the film will be on Netflix this Friday. Set in a futuristic world, the story follows Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) who is framed for a crime he did not commit. The only person who can prove his innocence is a magical shapeshifter named Nimona (Chloe Grace Moretz). The only catch is that Ballister was sworn to destroy those of her kind. What follows is a cyberpunk meets medieval times adventure with universally relevant messages. 

Nimona’s biggest success is in the relationship between Nimona and Ballister. Both characters are outsiders. Each one has been cast aside (both literally and figuratively) and they find harmony in being together. Ahmed and Moretz deliver two nuanced and relatable voice performances. With the message being something as simple as “it’s ok to be different,” there is a fear that it could be underwhelming. In this film, It’s that poignant, and often powerful theme that is perfect for all ages. That theme is encased in a visually stunning adventure with great action sequences. 

The plot’s core story elements deal with themes of acceptance and identity. Based on a 

Graphic novel of the same name, the story is incredibly allegorical.  Its visuals could be considered the film's biggest strength, and weakness. Its visual language is original in ways that haven't been seen before. 

Nimona is one of the most aesthetically pleasing movies of the year. Mixing the Medieval era with futuristic technology feels wholly original. The settings, costumes, and even weaponry feel like something out of classic Sci-Fi films. It's an entrancing spectacle that throws beautiful visuals at a rapid pace. Some might find those visuals to be overwhelming, which is understandable.

The story and world are so vast that the average eye can only take in so much. Some audiences could feel distracted, or simply dizzy from the pacing. Its stylistic choices are so frantic that some audiences could be overwhelmed before the story gets going. If you are someone who experiences motion sickness, Nimona could simply be too much to handle. There is great excitement to the action sequences, but their rapid pace can be disarmingly effective. It was exciting to watch them unfold and it surely kept my attention. Some might wish for the film to slow down in these moments to soak the imagery in. At a 100-minute running time, it feels as if the script could be expanded.

Every relationship in Nimona is treated with a surprising level of poignancy. That poignancy is enough to make me look past the frantic visuals. At its core, the story is about accepting others for who they are. That message is not necessarily something new but is something that people need to hear. Told in this Medieval-meets-cyberpunk type story makes for an incredibly compelling adventure. 

Nimona is not a perfect film, but it is quite impressive. It’s a story that celebrates outsiders, which is becoming harder to find in modern cinema. Told in this visual package makes a rather cliched story a visual and emotional feast. The story rewards its audience by sharing these themes in different ways. Streaming on Netflix Friday, this visual splendor is one you won’t want to miss.