‘Damsel’ Is Netflix’s Most Watched Movie of 2024, but It Doesn’t Deserve It

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As a long-time fan of Millie Bobby Brown and a devoted viewer of “Stranger Things,” I must admit that I was incredibly excited when I heard about her new movie, “Damsel.” Being a fantasy lover myself, I had high hopes for this dark, action-packed adventure. However, my expectations were unfortunately not met.

Amongst Netflix’s extensive collection of movies and series, there’s a champion for every conceivable category, but one particularly captivating category is determining which movie has been viewed the most in a given year. In 2024, the designation of the most-watched movie on Netflix was bestowed upon the enigmatic dark fantasy film, “Damsel.

Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and penned by Dan Mazeau, the film “Damsel” boasts notable stars like Robin Wright from “House of Cards” and Angela Bassett from “Black Panther“. However, it’s Millie Bobby Brown who truly steals the show, assuming the role of the main character, Elodie. The fact that Millie Bobby Brown headlines the movie undoubtedly contributed significantly to the film’s impressive title, although the movie itself may not entirely deserve the title. In other words, let’s delve deeper into it.

Elodie Meets a Terrible Fate in ‘Damsel’

The tale centers around a young lady named Elodie (Millie Bobby Brown), whose upcoming life events are set to undergo a significant transformation. Upon being offered marriage by Queen Isabelle of Aurea to her son, Prince Henry, Elodie agrees and ventures on her way to meet her future spouse. Initially, she intends to utilize her newfound position for the purpose of alleviating her people’s poverty; however, as fate would have it, she finds herself growing affectionate towards the charming prince in the process.

Up until her wedding day, Elodie’s future appeared flawless and assured, but an ancient debt hanging over the royal family of Aurea threatened to disrupt it all. Centuries ago, the first King of Aurea led a campaign to slay a dragon residing within the mountains, unknowingly killing the dragon’s three offspring. In retribution, the dragon condemned the King to sacrifice three daughters if he desired to live, a debt that has been passed down through generations. Consequently, as Elodie and Henry exchange vows, Elodie finds herself plunged into the depths of a dragon’s cave within a mountain, battling for her life just as countless other girls have before her. The odds of survival are virtually nonexistent.

‘Damsel’ Is Netflix’s Most Watched Movie

Without a doubt, Millie Bobby Brown’s film “Damsel” was met with extraordinary success when it debuted at the start of 2024. With its availability on Netflix, fans of Millie Bobby Brown flocked to watch this enchanting movie in the fantasy genre. In just the first three days following its release, “Damsel” attracted an astounding 35.5 million views and climbed to the top spot in a staggering 79 countries. Since its premiere in March 2024, the dark fantasy film has been watched approximately 144 million times – a truly remarkable feat.

Given its status as Netflix’s most-watched film, it’s not unexpected that we might see a follow-up for Damsel. However, despite this popularity, the movie has received mixed reviews, with a 56% critic score and 59% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. This is somewhat disappointing and even surprising, considering the predominantly negative reviews alongside its high viewership. The apparent contradiction can be explained by several factors, such as differing expectations or biases among critics and audiences.

Netflix’s ‘Damsel’ Was Actually a Disappointment

2024’s biggest Netflix film, Damsel, might have earned its title, but let’s be clear, it doesn’t entirely deserve it. The main draw, undeniably the reason it captivated so many viewers and became Netflix’s most-watched movie, is that Millie Bobby Brown, a rising star among Gen-Z, headlines the production. In fact, she is pretty much the only recognizable face in the film, and her screams are quite frequent, often louder than in films like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre or even Scream. This might sound surprising, but it’s Millie Bobby Brown’s popularity within Netflix that has significantly contributed to the movie’s success.

Since the groundbreaking success of Stranger Things, Millie Bobby Brown has skyrocketed her career as its leading star, a role that forever associates her with Eleven, the series’ main character. Regardless of the project she takes on, fans can’t help but see traces of Eleven, yet this doesn’t deter them from eagerly anticipating her appearances in other works. The level of expectation for Brown is high due to her exceptional performance in Stranger Things, and fans are willing to watch her in almost anything while they impatiently wait for the next season.

In a nutshell, Millie Bobby Brown’s portrayal in the film “Damsel” falls short, appearing overacted and forced more times than not. The movie, while attempting to be a fantasy, lacks depth and originality, making even Brown’s heartfelt or empowering lines forgettable and ultimately undermining the film’s conclusion. It’s Brown’s charm that initially captivates viewers, but her performance in “Damsel” might not be enough to keep them engaged throughout the movie.

Regrettably, the film “Damsel” falls short in terms of its uninspiring plot and less-than-stellar acting. Even awe-inspiring CGI can sometimes compensate for an empty storyline and forgive mediocre performances. However, “Damsel” lacks that as well. Instead, it delivers action sequences, but they fail to captivate. Many viewers might persist due to their fondness for MBB, but the overall quality is lacking. Nonetheless, you can stream “Damsel” on Netflix if you wish.

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2024-12-23 02:32