Netflix's 'Damsel' Ending Explained
Millie Bobby Brown stars in the newly released dark fantasy film 'Damsel' – a far cry from traditional fairytales. We dissect the film's climactic ending: does Elodie triumph over the dragon?
Director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (an Oscar nominee) introduces Princess Elodie. Faced with her kingdom's poverty, she agrees to wed a prince from a prosperous land. Yet, this takes a sinister turn. Elodie's new in-laws seek to repay an ancient debt, consigning her to a fiery fate within a dragon's lair.
Rather than await a heroic rescue, Elodie must harness her cunning and resourcefulness. "She's a damsel who doesn't need to be saved," Brown remarked to Netflix's Tudum. "She saves herself in many ways. It subverts what you expect...Don’t wait for the prince.”
Fresnadillo found himself drawn to writer Dan Mazeau's unconventional script for 'Damsel'. It embraces familiar fantasy tropes – the princess, the dragon – but delivers a fresh and empowered narrative. The director told Tudum, "It was a very intense journey that I was so excited to design and to develop. At the core, this is such a beautiful story about a young woman becoming a strong, independent, and empowered adult. Elodie doesn’t have any kind of support. It’s a real survival experience.”
Queen Isabelle, the film's antagonist, is portrayed by Robin Wright. She told Screen Rant, "It's really fun playing a layered character like that; that has nothing to do with you. She's doing it for a really good cause. It's to uphold this kingdom, so it's part of a tradition that she doesn't want to break.”
The film boasts a stellar cast, including Angela Bassett, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Ray Winstone, Nick Robinson, and Brooke Carter. (Spoilers ahead: we're dissecting those final dramatic scenes of 'Damsel'!)
Unveiling the 'Damsel' Ending
'Damsel' debuted on Netflix on Friday, March 8th. If you've witnessed the ending, read on! We'll explore whether Elodie survives, the fate of her sister, and the downfall of the deceitful royals.
Unraveling the Dragon's Fury
Queen Isabelle's bloodline bears the burden of a past betrayal. Her ancestors raided the dragon's lair, ending its lineage. As retribution, her family must offer three princesses per generation, appeasing the dragon and averting the kingdom's destruction. Yet, deceit is at play – the 'sacrifices' aren't truly of royal blood, tricking the dragon with a clever blood ritual.
Elodie and the Dragon
Despite finding a map, escape initially eludes Elodie. Meanwhile, tragedy strikes: her father and his men perish at the dragon's claws. His final words, meant for her ears, reveal a heart-wrenching bargain: gold in exchange for Elodie's life. "Forgive me," he pleads before dying.
Elodie escapes, only to return when the Queen sacrifices her sister, Floria. Elodie's battle against the dragon is brutal, and she narrowly outwits the creature, using its own fire against it. Revealing the royal family's deception, Elodie strikes a devastating blow: the dragon believed its victims were true blood, unaware of the Queen's treacherous ritual.
The Culmination of 'Damsel'
Elodie disrupts yet another royal wedding, halting the cycle of sacrifice. She urges the intended victim to flee as the vengeful dragon arrives, annihilating Queen Isabelle and her lineage.
The film concludes with Elodie, her stepmother, and Floria united and alive. Declaring their shared rule over the kingdom, they depart. As dusk falls, a powerful image unfolds – the dragon soars alongside their ship, signifying an unexpected bond.