The Wasteland Reviewer

Red Sonja (2025) Written Review

Do you know the legend of the great scarlet warrior of legend? Red Sonja is a property that dates to 1973 when this sexy and dangerous barbarian exploded from comic book panels from Marvel Comics. Often paired with Conan the Barbarian, Red Sonja became a beloved character with her iconic red hair and skimpy silver, chainmail bikini. Back in the 80s, Brigitte Nielsen brought this character to life on screen in all the wild glory of that cinematic era. A modern cinematic remake has been in development hell for almost 20 years with a new film finally being completed back in 2023. But for one night only, Red Sonja, the latest reimagining of this legendary character, comes to the big screen.

Does filmmaker M.J. Bassett bring the spirit of this iconic character to the big screen? Having done projects like Soloman Kane and plenty of shows including Ash vs Evil Dead, Bassett has quite the taste for genre fare. With Red Sonja, Bassett does a fine job of bringing this story to life with all its magic, monsters, and swords. This “sword & sorcerer” flick doesn’t have the largest budget, and you can see that in some of the artificial backdrops, but it has a solid look to the film. The CGI for the biggest creature, the cyclops, is serviceable enough to make this impressively designed creature look real enough to deliver some real suspense. The hairstyling and make-up of the film is what really stands out. Some of the humanoid creatures look great thanks to this aspect of the film. The pacing is fine as well with the film consistently moving along for the 100+ minutes of the film. Bassett takes the approach of offering a dramatic and serious fantasy/adventure which works in 2025 compared to the more over-the-top expectations for the 80s film. The music is solid and so is the camerawork. The action has some inspiring and fun moments on top of that. 

The film offers some fun genre elements, but does it offer up a story (with characters) that stands out? The script is probably the weakest and least inspired aspect of the film. But that does not mean there is nothing to latch on to. There is some heart injected into the film thanks to the traumatic past of our titular hero and her connection to the devious antagonist, Draygan. There is an interesting parallel for these characters that deepens the conflict on screen. Outside of that, there are plenty of familiar rebellion tropes throughout the film as it feels like it draws upon classics like Spartacus and plenty of fantasy flicks. Most of the characters don’t have a lot of depth but instead fit as specific archetypes for the film. Handsome male warrior for our female warrior hero. Evil witch type character. An evil sorcerer who has a relationship with the evil witch type character. There are plenty of creatures thrown in too (which admittedly shake up the film for sure). The hero’s faithful and reliable animal sidekick (a horse in this case). The older, tougher female warrior (pseudo-mentor). Bassett (with Tasha Huo’s script) plays in a familiar sandbox with a basic structure. This certainly keeps this film from being a new classic fantasy but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have enjoyable elements. 

Can the cast make the most of the thinner material presented to them? Matilda Lutz makes for a solid Sonja. Her line readings can be a bit stiff but there is earnestness in her performance that makes Sonja empathetic. Her physicality and intensity stand out though as the film goes on. Robert Sheehan is quite the charismatic and chaotic presence in the film as the villainous Draygan. Bringing that same energy he brought in The Umbrella Academy, Sheehan is one of the clear standouts in the film. Wallis Day is eerie and creepy (if not wholly memorable) as his evil partner-in-crime, Annisia. Luca Pasqualino portrays Osin the Untouched, the male love interest in function, is not the most memorable presence in the film which makes it harder to really connect with that element of the story. Most of the other cast members that stand out are physically in the action sequences. 

Is Red Sonja a worthwhile fantasy/adventure for your time? This will never go down as a fantasy classic like similar adventures. The lower budget does give the film a bit of a “cosplay feel” instead of a fully engrossing world. The screenplay is also not the strongest as it borrows too many familiar elements. But this film has its own charm and is an entertaining romp. Less a classic and more of a future cult classic, Red Sonja will make for an entertaining romp.