Summary
Millie Bobby Brown’s fantasy movie,Damsel, is now one of the most popular Netflix films ever. Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (28 Weeks Later) with a script written by Dan Mazeau (Fast X), the fantasy film follows a dutiful damsel who agrees to marry a handsome prince, only for her new family to settle an age-old debt by casting her into a cave with a fire-breathing dragon. Brown leads the surprisingly star-studdedDamselcast, which includes acclaimed actors like Ray Winstone, Angela Bassett, and Robin Wright.
Now, three months after its release on March 8, Brown’s fantasy film has enteredNetflix’s Top 10 list of most popular movies. As of June 2,Damselis Netflix’s 8th most popular film ever with 137.2 million total views and 251.5 million hours viewed. It passed Jennifer Lopez’sThe Motherin 9th place with 136.4 million views and placed behind Robert Rodriguez’sWe Can Be Heroesin 7th place with 137.3 million views, thoughDamselhas already eclipsed it in terms of hours viewed (231.2 million).
Damsel 2: Will It Happen? Everything We Know
Millie Bobby Brown’s successful partnership with Netflix continues in Damsel, but will the action-packed fantasy story return in Damsel 2?
Why Damsel Has Been Such A Huge Hit On Netflix
Millie Bobby Brown Has Become A Certifiable Star
First and foremost,the fantasy film has been such a huge hit on Netflix because of Millie Bobby Brown’s star power and popularity. After becoming widely known as Eleven from Netflix’s cultural phenomenonStranger Things, Brown has become arguably the streaming service’s biggest home-grown star. She’s starred in and produced twoEnola Holmesmoviesfor Netflix, which are also some of the streaming service’s most popular original films, placing just outside the Top 10.
The film has little else to offer, featuring a weak storyline and shoddy special effects, and largely rides off Brown’s bold performance.
Brown is largely the reason why the fantasy film has been so popular on Netflix. As indicated by the mixedDamselreviews,the film has little else to offer, featuring a weak storyline and shoddy special effects, and largely riding off Brown’s bold performance.Damselhas a 57% score on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, which, through little fault of her own, is Brown’s lowest-ever for the streamer. Audiences only enjoyed the movie slightly more, as indicated by its 60% score from that group, just above Rotten.
However, withDamsel, Brown has once again delivered strong viewership for Netflix, climbing the streamer’s list of most popular films all the way to #8. This is expected to continue with the upcoming releases ofStranger Thingsseason 5andThe Electric State, a sci-fi adventure flick from the Russo brothers.Damsel’s popularity has further cemented Brown as a bankable star for Netflix, where she is expected to be a key player for the foreseeable future.
Will There Be A Damsel 2?
A Sequel Hasn’t Been Officially Greenlit By Netflix
BeforeDamselwas even released on March 8, director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo expressed interest in a sequel, bluntly stating, “I will be so happy to do a sequel for Damsel.” However, he admittedthe possibility of a sequel will ultimately be decided by audience reception. To pair with its good-not-great 60% from audiences, Rotten Tomatoes' consensus of their reviews reads: “Damselis a decently made fantasy film and Millie Bobby Brown does well in the title role, although it’s easy to tell where the story’s going and the CGI isn’t great.”
Netflix has its own comprehensive system – which factors in watch hours, unique viewers, completion rate, fanbase, and audience size – to determine a film’s success.
Despite that mixed reception,Damselis undeniably one of the most popular Netflix films ever, which should make a sequel incredibly likely. However,Netflix has yet to officially greenlightDamsel 2, and it may still take additional time before making a decision. Unlike a traditional movie that measures commercial success by box office revenue, the success of streaming content is more complicated, and Netflix has its own comprehensive system – which factors in watch hours, unique viewers, completion rate, fanbase, and audience size – to determine a hit.
Just becauseDamselis one of the most popular Netflix films ever doesn’t necessarily guarantee there will be a sequel. Of the seven movies above it on Netflix’s Top 10 most popular list –We Can Be Heroes,The Gray Man,Leave the World Behind,Bird Box,The Adam Project,Don’t Look Up, andRed Notice– not one has yet to receive a sequel. However,Red Notice 2is reportedly in development, as well as a sequel toThe Gray Man.
IfDamsel 2does happen,Brown could return to her role as Princess Elodie alongside a few of her co-stars. Unlike other fantasy properties, such asLord of the Rings,Damselfeatures a relatively small cast and a self-contained storyline, and by the end of the film, the number of characters is further reduced. Nevertheless, Elodie’s close relationship with her younger sister Floria means that Brooke Carter could also reprise her role. The entire returning cast could include:
Shoreh Aghdashloo
The Dragon
In terms of the sequel’s story, theDamselendingprovided full closure to its self-contained storyline. However, the storyworld remains ripe for exploration with endless possibilities for a follow-up, such as exploring Elodie’s kingdom, which was underdeveloped in the first film. Given Elodie’s independent nature, a sequel toDasmelcould continue to subvert fantasy tropes by having her rescue a prince.
Damsel
Cast
A dutiful damsel agrees to marry a handsome prince, only to find the royal family has recruited her as a sacrifice to repay an ancient debt. Thrown into a cave with a fire-breathing dragon, she must rely on her wits and will to survive
