"The Woman King" Smashed At The Box Office, But Here's How People On Twitter Are Really Reacting To The Film
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The Woman King opened at the box office this past weekend, and it made one hell of a debut, raking in $19 million.
The Woman King tells the story of the female-led Agojie warriors who protected the West African kingdom of Dahomey between the 17th and 19th centuries. Set in the 1820s, the film focuses on a new generation of warriors being trained for any danger that may come their way.
Sony Pictures
It features a predominantly Black cast, including Viola Davis, Lashana Lynch, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, and John Boyega.
Viola admitted this role was "transformative" for her and that she couldn't wait for people to experience it for themselves.
This is my magnum opus. I've never had a role like this before, it's been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. ❤❤❤I can't wait for you to experience #TheWomanKing, now playing exclusively in movie theaters. https://t.co/y89uDhmSWI
Well Viola, look no further — the reviews are in! Here's how people on Twitter felt about the historical drama:
I haven’t seen a movie that hit me like this in a long time. If you haven’t seen it, go see #TheWomanKing! The action, the characters the story the cinematography…everything! What a treat😭
Look, Im emotional, and I don’t give a fuck!#TheWomanKing better win every award, or … nah, Imma wait! But yea that’s how I feel!
#TheWomanKing confirms once again that Gina Prince-Bythewood is one hell of a filmmaker. She has created an stunning action spectacle that pays tribute to strong black women. Viola Davis & the cast are great but, for me, it is Thuso Mbedu who steals the show and continues to WOW.
The Woman King is just… Cinema at its finest. Our history and culture is even more beautiful when it’s done right on screen. Everyone please go see greatness . I salute @violadavis @JohnBoyega @ThusoMbedu & cast 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 #TheWomanKing
Just left out from #TheWomanKing and my God….what a PHENOMENAL FILM.I don’t even have the words to properly articulate the magnitude of beauty, brilliance and fierceness present in there.I am SO MOVED. Well done by every single last cast & crew member. Well done👏🏾👏🏾
The scale was great, the action was amazing, the story was compelling, but the best part about #TheWomanKing was the top tier performances from the cast! Viola Davis, John Boyega, Lashana Lynch, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, and so many others absolutely crushed it!!!
Viola Davis is without a doubt, one of the greatest actresses alive! Her performance in #TheWomanKing is raw, full of emotion, and downright kicks ass. I highly recommend to go out there and watch this movie!
But despite all the praise the film is receiving, I would be remiss to ignore the backlash it's generated as well. The tag #BlockWomanKing has been trending online because some viewers believe it ignores the Agojie warriors' dark past, which included them capturing and selling Black men and women in the transatlantic slave trade.
The Dahomey warriors were not just slave tradersThey would take all the young healthly people, murder the elderly & disabled and burn down everything left in the villageThe term for what they did is #GENOCIDE#BoycottWomanKing #TheWomanKing
I will #BoycottWomanKing the movie! Never Forget is not a slogan. It’s a call to action from the ancestors. You can’t repackaged the Dahomey Kingdom who’s economy was built on slave trading and expect support from the children of the enslaved.
When I saw "The Woman King" trailer and press for the film, I already knew what time it was. It's nothing but more Hollyweird re-writing African history while pushing more feminist, beta male coward propaganda. I have ZERO interest in supporting such a film.#BoycottWomanKing
Lupita Nyong'o, who was originally cast in the lead role of The Woman King, reportedly dropped out after learning about the Agojie's legacy during a visit to Benin.
Lupita Nyong'o reacting to the HORROR of the Dahomey's African Slave Trading history. After this, Lupita LEFT #TheWomanKing movie. #BoycottWomanKing #BOYCOTTTHEWOMANKING
Despite the positive and negative discussions surrounding the film, a conversation is being had and more people are learning about historical moments we rarely learn about in school, and that's important in itself.
For those still looking to see the film, The Woman King is showing in theaters now.
