The Woman King movie trailer starring Viola Davis is a pulsating, adrenalin-filled peek into the fact-based story of the Agojie, an army of powerful African female warriors.

“An evil is coming, one that threatens our kingdom, our freedom, but we have a weapon they are not prepared for!”… that weapon is soon revealed. Emerging from the shadows is a menacing and incredibly fit-looking Viola Davis, flanked by a squad of equally formidable women warriors. So begins the exciting trailer for The Woman King.

The Agoji, not just a Marvel fantasy: Warrior Women with Lupita Nyong’o

Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, The Woman King finally gives us a version of the remarkable Agojie, an all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness described as unlike anything the world had ever seen. In recent years, the female warriors’ existence and fantastic fighting prowess has seen them slowly evolving into legends. The Black Panther film’s Dora Milaje were said to be based on the Agojie and started a world-wide fascination for them.

“I decided to start with a palette that was me”: Viola Davis on authenticity

Starring Oscar winner and author Viola Davis, who also serves as one of the film’s producers, The Woman King follows the emotionally epic journey of General Nanisca (Davis) as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life. Some things are worth fighting for.

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Visually, the film looks stunning. A rich, warm palette of warm tones and browns complements the dark-skinned gloriousness of the warrior queens well-moisturised muscles. Speaking of which, Viola looks the most powerful that we have ever seen her. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Viola shared how hard she worked for those results. She said: “We started [training] intensely a few months before shooting—four hours a day, five days a week. Weight training, sprinting, martial arts, and weaponry training for the machete. I like to say that I was the OG warrior.” Whatever she did, it worked, she once again embodies her character, in typical Viola Davis style.

Lashana Lynch: “The Black experience needs to be 100 percent authentic”

The Warrior King boasts an all-star cast; Thuso Mbedu (The Underground Railroad) as ambitious recruit Nawi, along with Lashana Lynch (No Time To Die), Sheila Atim (The Underground Railroad), Hero Fiennes Tiffin (After trilogy) and John Boyega authentically channelling African royalty as King Ghezo.

We cannot wait for this one.