‘Nimona’ is a graphic novel that was picked up and adapted by Netflix into a movie and released in 2023. The movie follows Nimona and Ballister Boldheart as they work to uncover who framed Ballister for the murder of Queen Valerin all while his boyfriend Ambrosius Goldenloin chases after the now fugitives. Meanwhile, a deeper truth about the city’s founder and hero is uncovered.
Despite receiving positive reviews, it is never brought up in any conversations about good book adaptations. Granted, it was a graphic novel first, but with how well the movie was received that part does not seem as important.
The movie starts off strongly with a storybook opening about the hero Gloreth and the city she founded alongside the circle of knights she trained to defend against a nameless, great, black, terrible evil. The monster attacked the village but was defeated by Gloreth. They erected massive walls around themselves to ensure they would never be vulnerable again.
Now in the modern day, Ballister is the first ever commoner to be knighted. He seems to have his whole life put together. He is about to be the first ever knighted commoner, has a sweet and kind boyfriend who also happens to be Gloreth’s descendant, it all seems to be picture perfect. However, at the ceremony, an accident happens and he is blamed. His own boyfriend cuts off his right arm, and he is now the most wanted man in the city.
Nimona happens upon him as he is hiding and together, they go on an adventure together that will change the course of the city forever. Plots, cover-ups, and conspiracies are all brought to light all while keeping an amazing sense of humor throughout.
On top of an amazing plot and set of characters, the movie does an amazing job of advocating and showing strong LGBTQ+ themes like same sex relationships and trans rights. A favorite line of mine is given courtesy of Nimona. Ballister tells her that it “would just be easier” if she were a girl and she not only comes back with, “easier for who,” but also saying coming up with a short story and making it end with her making a wish to “be trapped on a subway with an uptight knight asking small-minded questions” all on the fly. Not to mention seeing the sheer love Ballister and Ambrosius have when they look at each other is utterly amazing. The sibling-life affection you can see growing between Nimona and Ballister also warms the heart.
On top of the amazing LGBTQ+ themes shown, there is a wide range of diversity, and amazing voice acting on the part of the cast. The setting that the plot takes place in is an unnamed medieval-futuristic combination that I have never seen before, and it was done incredibly well. They took the classic medieval elements, combined them with futuristic technology, and created something unique.
Nimona herself is for sure my favorite character though. She is sarcastic, witty, and has a dark but hilarious sense of humor that sends me rolling. Her facial expressions are also so wacky that when combined with her amazing sense of timing, she makes every scene that much more enjoyable. The characters all had incredible designs as well, and seeing Ballister have play tired dad to Nimona as well was hilarious.