WHY ‘THE PRINCESS’ ISN’T THE ORDINARY PRETTY FAIRY-TALE WE LOVE

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Hulu is working to up its original movie game. Acquired from 20th Century, The Princess isn’t exactly what its title may suggest.

The Princess (2022) Hulu Film Review

Being normal is not something the feisty Princess (Joey King) has ever been. When she finds herself drugged and dressed in wedding attire, she cannot remember how she got here. She soon realizes her home and the kingdom of her father, the King (Ed Stoppard), is under siege. Barely escaping with her life in the tower, she quickly takes stock and realizes that this is her fault.

Having rebuffed Julius (Dominic Cooper) and the arrangement he and her father made for a marriage between them, he’s returned for revenge. Believing she has no choice but to make this right, she sets out trying to find where her family is.

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This isn’t your typical or normal fairy-tale fable. It’s vastly different than the normal. What is pretty or clever is how the opening frames this. It starts off with a kind of “feeling” of normalcy before tossing its titular heroine into a literal fight for her life. After this, the film keeps moving in much the same way. Fight, slay, escape and repeat. In this way, the stylized “look” of the film is very much alike to Pride, Prejudice + Zombies or Hansel and Gretel. Mostly, it’s alike the latter in its bloody count.

The film is interesting in some respects but sets up its plot entirely through flashbacks. When we’re not in the past, the Princess is fighting left and right to make it to the bottom of a tower. As a result, sometimes the film can feel like there really is no plot. However, the bigger picture is that she’s standing for something and trying to do something to change or heal what she believes to be her fault.

Joey King is really pretty good in this role. Trivia says she does about 80% of the stunts, which if true, is impressive. Additionally, you see some well-known British talent and some newer talent too. All in all, I don’t love this film. But it’s entertaining in a weird sort of way. I like seeing Joey King in something unlike anything she’s usually in and just the interesting concept of her learning the why of her fighting rather than because she can. The Princess may not be something I watch time and again, but it’s an okay watch when you’re looking for something unusual.

You can find The Princess to stream on Hulu.

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WHY ‘THE PRINCESS’ ISN'T THE NORMAL PRETTY FAIRY-TALE WE LOVE. ⚔️👑⚔️ REVIEW OF THE JOEY KING HULU DRAMEDY. TEXT © RISSIWRITES.COM

Content: there’s profanity throughout (including one to three f-words) along with some other innuendo or crudity (there’s a man peeing in one scene). The main reason this has an R-rating is the bloody violence. It’s pretty much nonstop and will mean many won’t want to see this. There’s swordplay, choking, arrows, wooden sticks, a whip and countless other tools they use as a weapon. Swords go through limbs, eyes, the heart, and even the head. Someone’s head is severed, another person hangs. Some are less violent or graphic than others, but some result in bloody scenes.

Photos: Hulu / 20th Century Fox

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

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