‘Nimona’ Movie Review: Sidekick, Redefined
Photo from Netflix
From Larissa Benfey
I’ve watched a lot of movies with different takes on sidekicks because, well, I’ve watched a lot of movies, and the sidekick is a common trope. And yet, in every other movie, I never found myself really viewing the sidekick as anything other than a sidekick. The thing that drew me in with this one right away, was the fact that Nimona, the title character, gives herself the role of sidekick. She finds a knight in shining armor—a disgraced knight, but a knight all the same—and declares herself his helper. The “story” as it’s “supposed” to be told has already been turned on its head. And the twists have only just begun.
The knight in question is Sir Ballister Boldheart (beautifully voiced by Riz Ahmed), the first knight in the kingdom to come from nothing, and give his everything, to earn his place as one of the kingdom’s heroes—a job the rest of them were “born” to do. Things go sideways when he’s framed for a fatal crime, and a world that seems so eager to turn against him does so in an instant. Determined to prove his innocence, but not quite sure where to start, he’s interrupted by Nimona (voiced to perfection by Chloë Grace Moretz), who asserts herself, most endearingly, into his story.
Here's where the “sidekick, redefined” begins to form. In an effort to get Ballister out of a tight spot, Nimona reveals her true self: she’s a shapeshifter and powerful to boot. As capable as Ballister is, his story would’ve come to an abrupt end a lot sooner if not for Nimona. And as their now-intertwined stories continue, redefinition becomes a recurring theme. Friendship, identity, heroes, and monsters—the characters (and by default, the audience) are forced to question everything as new perspectives start to color their previous conceptions a bit differently.
Yes, it’s a kids’ movie. It’s a cartoon, it can be a bit on the nose, it tells a concise story, it keeps everything PG (somehow, despite Nimona’s clear penchant for violence), but it’s more than “just” a kids’ movie. It has action, it has humor, and above all, it has heart—and at its heart, it tells a story that everyone deserves to hear. Yes, deserves. Because everyone deserves to hear that the things that make them different do not make them unworthy of love.
So, if you’re looking for a movie to watch this weekend, I cannot recommend Nimona enough. Like Ballister Boldheart, you can tell everyone who worked on this project gave it their all. The cast is rounded out with incredibly talented voice actors, including Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, RuPaul, and more. The visuals are *chef’s kiss*. The directors, Nick Bruno and Troy Quane (Spies in Disguise), prove once again that they are brilliant, masterful storytellers, with a story that grips you from start to finish. And, as a refreshing cherry on top, it’s inclusive, as the secondary plot line winding throughout the film is a love story between two men working through real conflicts and emotions, and emerging all the stronger for it.
Nimona releases today on Netflix. Give it a chance. You, your kids, and your younger self who’s still healing—you’ll all be glad you did.
Nimona is now streaming on Netflix.
Rating: 4.5/5
