Originally a webcomic, then a bestseller, then trapped in development hell, Nimona’s journey to exist at all threatens to be more interesting than the film itself. Thankfully, the charm of ND Stevenson’s original comic shines throughout this animated movie, a story that’s able to expand on themes the author himself did not realize it was about while writing it. Of course your shapeshifting protagonist on the margins of society is trans, and so are you! Nimona keeps the intensity of the comic but tones down the violence and frankly mean spirited ending, enhancing the character’s uniqueness without sacrificing her nastiness entirely. Plus, the whole story is told in barely 85 minutes.
Nimona takes place in a futuristic but medieval kingdom, founded on the deeds of the warrior Glorteth. Ballister Blackheart (Riz Ahmed), an orphan who rose through the ranks of the Institution to become a knight, is about to become the Queen’s champion. However, tragedy strikes and Ballister is framed for the Queen’s murder, losing an arm in the process to his fellow knight and almost-boyfriend Ambrosius Goldenloin (Eugene Lee Yang). Intent on proving his innocence but having no evidence, Ballister retreats to the shadows where he meets Nimona (Chloe Grace Moretz), a vicious girl with big secrets. Nimona wants to become Ballister’s henchperson and help him seek revenge on those who cast him out. She sees him as a villain, but he’s not ready to turn on his lover or his fellow citizens just yet. Nimona, ostracized for her shapeshifting powers, just wants to see things burn.
The cel-shaded look of the animation may not be for everyone, and there are times where it seems a bit airless, but overall the film looks colorful and engaging. Each character is unique in their mannerisms, and the action scenes are cleanly drawn and easy to follow. It helps that whenever Nimona shapeshifts into another creature, she takes on a bright pink hue. Once again we have an animated film that doesn’t default to basic Pixar/Dreamworks designs.
Ahmed and Moretz make a great duo, bantering and bickering through the kingdom. Frances Conroy takes what could be a flat authoritative role in the Director and gives it real texture. I’m told Eugene Lee Yang is a “Try Guy,” whatever that means, but he does well as the noble Goldenloin, who is a little slow on the uptake. Julio Torres and Sarah Sherman get to have fun in supporting roles as well, but everything comes back to the relationship between Ballister and Nimona.
It would be easy to promote this film based on its representation, something I try to avoid the further I dive into queer film history. Yes, Ballister and Goldenloin are actually gay! But the textual gay stuff isn’t the real meat, that’s just what the story should have been all along. Ballister asks Nimona what happens if she doesn’t shapeshift, and Nimona jokes that she’d die. She’s kidding, of course, but she does say she wouldn’t feel like herself. It’s a simple metaphor – queer people are often made to feel like monsters. Why shouldn’t Nimona want revenge? The trick in Nimona is finding the balance – Nimona does get to cause chaos, she does get to right injustices, but she doesn’t want to become an actual force of evil. It doesn’t feel like a cop out to have Nimona soften a bit when she develops an actual caring relationship with Ballister. It feels hopeful, like ND Stevenson looking back at his beloved Nimona and granting her a real future.
Nimona
2023
Dir. Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
99 min (but at least 12 of that is credits)
Streaming Friday 6/30 on Netflix
