Nimona, 2023.
Directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane.
Starring Featuring the voice talents of Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, Beck Bennett, RuPaul, Indya Moore, Julio Torres, Sarah Sherman, Nate Stevenson, Mia Collins, Zayaan Kunawar, Charlotte Aldrich, Nick Bruno, Troy Quane, Julie Zackary, Christopher Campbell, Randy Trager, Cindy Slattery, and Karen Ryan.
SYNOPSIS:
When a knight in a futuristic medieval world is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona — a mischievous teen who happens to be a shapeshifting creature he’s sworn to destroy.
If you slay a monster, you become a hero. That’s how it has been in fantasy since the dawn of storytelling, and the hyper-stylized, technologically advanced, colorfully medieval world depicted in Nimona is no exception. It’s also unheard of for commoners to become knights, which is what Ballister Boldheart (voiced by Riz Ahmed) is about to be sworn into through a ceremony full of pageantry. The character is also gay, madly in love with fellow knight Ambrosius Goldenloin (voiced by Eugene Lee Yang), and animated to appear British Pakistani, just like his voiceover performer, furthering the othering and the idea that, even in fiction, we don’t often see characters such as Ballister granted these prestigious, important high-ranking roles. Even if those things appeared to be largely accepted in this fictional world, the metaphor is there for older viewers to pick up on, deepening the specialness of the ceremony.
However, things don’t go as fully intended. Ballister’s weapon mysteriously goes rogue during the ritualistic initiation and kills the queen (voiced by Lorraine Toussaint), leaving no alternative but for the other knights to sever his arm. Ballister is cast out and branded a villain, abandoned by his lover Ambrosius. He lives off the grid in hiding, inevitably crossing paths with an eccentric hyperactive teenager unafraid of him. Nimona (voice with spirit by Chloë Grace Moretz) appears human but is a shape-shifting being that can transform into a bright red version of any animal or mimic the exact appearance of anyone she comes into contact with.
Despite getting off on the wrong foot, they decide to work together and clear Ballister’s name and potentially repair his relationship with Ambrosius, whereas Nimona is simply happy to be around someone that accepts her and isn’t trying to kill her under the impression that she is a dangerous monster. There are the usual animation narrative touchstones of embracing oneself, but with a slight twist as Nimona encourages Ballister to embrace the label of evil that the world has unfairly placed on him. This also means they get into shenanigans throughout the castle and world, beautifully animated, adopting what seems to be a current trend of mixing up animation styles and prioritizing vivid color (there is also a brief, playful flashback using animation resembling lovely 2D sprites).
While the above certainly sounds pleasing to younger viewers (especially the cutesy energy and destructive chaos Nimona causes when shapeshifting and fighting back), Nimona, courtesy of directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane (with a screenplay from Robert L. Baird and Lloyd Taylor, will story credits going to several more names, all based on the graphic novel by ND Stevenson) also takes its proposed themes seriously, fascinated with prejudices toward commoners and monsters, and the role powerful knighthood organizations play.
Nimona also has a surprisingly emotional backstory for the titular shapeshifter, crushingly bringing some of the world’s lore full circle. The filmmakers also toss in a punk rock soundtrack that appropriately meshes with the aesthetics on display, playing up a vivid, charming, and touching story about finding acceptance in a world skeptical of anyone or anything different and the systemic corruption instilling those fears, with relevant social themes baked in for younger and older viewers alike.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews, follow my Twitter or Letterboxd, or email me at MetalGearSolid719@gmail.com
Originally published June 25, 2023. Updated June 26, 2023.
