WFG RATING: B+

Samuel Goldwyn Films presents a Millennium Media production. Directed by M.J. Bassett. Produced by Christa Campbell, Lati Grobman, M.J. Bassett, Joe Gatta, Jeffrey Greenstein, Avi Lerner, Yariv Lerner, Les Weldon, Luke Lieberman, Courtney Solomon, and Jonathan Yunger. Written by Tasha Huo; based on characters created by Robert E. Howard and adapted by Roy Thomas. Cinematography by Lorenzo Senatore. Edited by Veselin Lazarov, Andrew MacRitchie, and Jeffrey Steinkamp.

Stars Matilda Lutz, Robert Sheehan, Wallis Day, Michael Bisping, Luca Pasqualino, Katrina Durden, Eliza Mantengu, Martyn Ford, Danica Davis, Joana Nwamerue, Ben Radcliffe, Trevor Eve, Veronica Ferres, and Rhona Mitra.

The comic character comes to life again after four decades with a new original story and an intense performance from lead Matilda Lutz.

As a child, Sonja found her homeland decimated by the hands of an evil emperor. Forced to live in the Hyrkanian Forest, she learns the secrets of survival. One day, the anow adult Sonja finds herself confronted by the forces of the new Emperor Draygan, who plans to unite all the lands under his iron fist. Alongside the white-haired Annisia, Draygan believes he may be the key to a prophecy meant for him.

Kidnapped, Sonja finds herself part of the Damnati, a band of exiled warriors who are forced to fight in a gladiator arena for Draygan’s entertainment. When she refuses to fight for sport, she finds herself now a target. However, not one to back down, Sonja decides to lead the Damnati warriors in a fight to not only escape the arena, but band together to stop Draygan once and for all. Along the way, Sonja learns something big is in store for her and learns her destiny.

In 1985, the first film adaptation of Red Sonja was released and is hailed as a cult classic and breakout role for Danish model turned actress Brigitte Nielsen. The film was a by-the-book sword and sorcery revenge tale as Sonja plans to avenge her sister’s death at the hands of an evil queen. Fast forward 40 years later and we have a new take on the legend with Tasha Huo’s script and MJ Bassett’s direction. This one has the classic revenge tale in some way but is more akin to this Sonja having to stop an evil emperor from destroying the lands so he can take over.

Originally set to be played by Thunderbolts actor Hannah John-Kamen, the role eventually went to Matilda Lutz. Lutz’s breakout performance was that of a vengeance seeking woman in Coralie Fargeat’s 2017 horror-action film Revenge. It was fitting that Lutz would be chosen to play Sonja and it was a wise move. Some may think well, Lutz isn’t tall and statuesque like Nielsen. However, there is something that Lutz brings to the role that fits who Sonja is. Sonja is an intense and fierce warrior and Lutz brings intensity and ferocity in the action while showing her emotional side when it comes to specific non-action scenes.

Robert Sheehan as Draygan comes off like what would happen if Joffrey Baratheon were to have grown up. There are times when he comes off as ruthless and times where he comes off as childish. And it’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially once we learn his backstory. As for Wallis Day, she brings quite a presence in the role of Annisia, who hears voices in her head, believed to the be the souls of the ones she killed in the area as the former champion. When it comes to her fights against Sonja, she brings a bit of intensity and ferocity as well.

The warriors are quite an eclectic bunch. MMA legend Michael Bisping pretty much plays himself as the strong and arrogant Hawk. Luca Pasqualino’s Osin the Untouched has quite a bit of a secret of his own. Katrina Durden is unrecognizable as Saevus, a baboon-faced warrior who has beef with Draygan’s commander General Karlak, played by Boyka: Undisputed heavy Martyn Ford as she knows he betrayed their tribe.  Rhona Mitra makes the most of her screen time as Petra, Hawk’s love interest. Along with other side characters, you can tell that by uniting their forces, they and Sonja are ready to start a revolution like no other.

Red Sonja is actually a pretty good, updated version of the character. Matilda Lutz is rightfully cast with as she brings the intensity and ferocity she brought with Revenge in the titular role. While fans may be turned off by Robert Sheehan’s Draygan as a childish villain at times, Wallis Day’s ruthless Annisia makes up for that portion. And the action scenes are pretty good for a sword and sorcery film. This just makes the upcoming Deathstalker reboot more anticipating.

The film is now available on Digital platforms.