So if steampunk is the modernization of antiquity, is the opposite an antiquation of modernity? I ask because this particular animated sword ‘n’ sorcery tale is very much like steampunk in that it seems exactly the opposite. From my understanding, steampunk is a work which hasn’t yet evolved into the computer age, but has invented an incessant number of steam-related mechanism workarounds. Nimona highlights a society which has certainly reached and surpassed the computer age, but the citizens still choose the feudal trappings of queens and knights and chivalry and all that crap.
Speaking of knights, Ballister Boldheart (voice of Riz Ahmed) has just been named one when he goes and kills the queen who dubbed him so. Geez, what an ingrate. To be fair, the knight didn’t kill the queen, his sword did. Um … ok. And the sword did it in front of a pay-per-view crowd of nuts, so there wasn’t any downplaying the moment. Meanwhile, his BFF/beau/lover Ambrosius Goldenloin –yes, “Goldenloin”—(Eugene Lee Yang) is also being knighted in the same ceremony and removes Ballister’s offending sword arm from his shoulder before it can do more damage.
At this point, Ballister ain’t got much of a life. He had a knighthood, a partner, and a place in society. Now? He’s got a place where people go when they don’t want to be found. It ain’t pretty, but … it ain’t pretty. And it’s infested with Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz). Nimona is a teenage shapeshifter who comes in quite handy whenever you need to escape a jam. Nimona is also annoying AF and several levels of immature; for one thing, all they want is destruction. It’s kinda like watching a toddler with a loaded gun.
Nimona sees a kindred spirit in Ballister because society pre-judged them to be a monster years ago. It’s hard explaining to them that pure destruction and chaos are not in their long-term interests.
However, when you can magically transform from dragon to otter on demand, it’s difficult to know exactly what would be in your best interests. Combined, the two have goals of 1. Clearing Ballister’s name and 2. Achieving societal acceptance. Sometimes these goals overlap. Sometimes … not so much.
This is a film that works on multiple levels. On the basic plotting level is a story of an innocent man trying to clear his name and the fantastical friend who helps him. On another is the definition of friendship itself whether it comes from the one you love or the immature punk who relies on you. Significantly, Nimona is an LGBTQ+ tale. Ballister is the rarest or rare—a homosexual hero in an animated film. Nimona is trans; the citizens treat them as a monster. Even Ballister has his doubts. That couldn’t be more spot-on if it came directly from Ron DeSantis. We know Nimona is no monster, but how do we get the town to see it?
I wouldn’t call Nimona brilliant. The teen comes off as too immature for my tastes and the animation is not doing this film any favors, But this was a fun watch and acceptable both by people who will understand the metaphor and those will not.
A trans protagonist of such powerful might
Can Nimoma show all citizens the light?
If you want to win over fear
You’ll completely disappear
It’s the only way to appease the hateful Right
Rated PG, 101 Minutes
Director: Nick Bruno, Troy Quane
Writer: Robert L. Baird, Lloyd Taylor, Pamela Ribon
Genre: Opposite of steampunk?
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: LGBTQ
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: People who takes offense when they find out what the film is actually about
