Nearly two weeks after the new Viola Davis-led film hit box offices, critics have began pouring in with their opinions. The Woman King movie has appeared to cause quite the controversy.
Apparently, the Sony Pictures production is receiving a lot of backlash due to the (painful) real-life story behind it.
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and written by Dana Stevens, The Woman King follows an all-female warrior unit that ruled the West African Kingdom of Dahomey back in the 17th century.
Learn more about the Kingdom of Dahomey here:
View this post on Instagram
Most argue that the movie “glorifies African slave traders,” which brought about the #BoycottTheWomanKing hashtag on Twitter.
However, most have kicked against the backlash, as they defend that, if anything, The Woman King is more so informational and invigorating.
Viola Davis, herself, has also continued to encourage people to see The Woman King via Twitter. Additionally, it actually had an amazing debut, collecting a whopping $19 million in ticket sales during its opening weekend.
But… of course, the people aren’t too fond of Davis’ support of the storyline–despite starring in the action drama.
This is what social media had to say…
‘The Woman King’ Movie Sparks Outcry Following Its Release
Hollywood has played in the face of descendants of slaves for far too long. Now they are glorifying African slave traders with #TheWomanKing and showcasing their blacks in blackface. #BoycottWomanKing pic.twitter.com/Amke04F5th
— HarrietEve9 (@HarrietEve9) September 16, 2022
If you’re a Black American that cares about your ancestors #BoycottTheWomanKing
I don’t know @violadavis’s motives for going through with such dishonest and shameful movie but #TheWomanKing let it flop
The Dahomey fought to uphold slavery in Africa, just like the Confederacy pic.twitter.com/zDSARVcx80
— TBMW (@TBMW8) September 18, 2022
People are mad that Black Americans aren’t supporting a film.
And they’re trying to hide it behind a film crew of Black Women similar to how Barack Obama hid behind his wife and children and Kamala Harris hid behind attending a HBCU and pledging AKA.
Same game.#TheWomanKing pic.twitter.com/wvC4HJq6ne— DAP/ADOS TRIBE?? (@Black_Action) September 20, 2022
We are hip to the erasure/disrespect now. So glad Harriet failed, So glad #TheWomanKing failed and next up is the Paramount+ Series about Bass Reeves starring David Oyelowo, they keep giving Black Brits Historical Black American Roles. It has to stop. https://t.co/bu8YGUGflu
— Nas (@nasescobar316) September 21, 2022
That’s right; #TheWomanKing was one of the most prolific slave traders of the era. Completely decimated some tribes. But the #antiwhite lefties don’t want you to know that part; they want you to watch the movie & think the Dahomey was fighting “evil colonizers.” #BoycottWomanKing https://t.co/iP2WKkkqXg
— Res Cogitans (Promoted to ‘Extremist’) (@_ResCogitans) September 20, 2022
#ViolaDavis if you wanna be an Black Female Action Hero so badly, #TheWomanKing ain’t it. Take notes from #ProudMary.
I know it It flopped (Just like #AtomicBlonde, it tried to be #JohnWick…but alas…there’s only one John Wick.)
however there’s still a lot to learn from it. pic.twitter.com/HJriIV30NM— Brotep The Inward Nerd (@ThePencilPimp) September 17, 2022
While #TheWomanKing shamelessly tries to glorify and rewrite history, the Dahomey Kingdom was built on colonialism and slavery.
One of the Kingdom’s strange customs was the sacrificing of 500 slaves at King’s graves ‘to supply them with wives and attendants in the spirit world’. pic.twitter.com/3iMmnl27Hp
— Klaus Arminius (@Klaus_Arminius) September 17, 2022
Lupita Nyong’o dropped out of #TheWomanKing film after she learned the truth about the African slave traders called the #DahomeyWarriors. Meanwhile, detached Viola Davis took the L. #BOYCOTTTHEWOMANKING pic.twitter.com/KYEwsQJUHm
— HarrietEve9 (@HarrietEve9) September 17, 2022
Black American actors are using white supremacist rhetoric (slavery denialism) to justify a movie they made that glorifies the people who sent them into slavery. That’s where we’re at as a people. #BoycottTheWomanKing #slaverydenier
— Movie Monster #ADOS (@Pauline98476699) September 24, 2022
I ain’t the only one who REFUSES to #BOYCOTTTHEWOMANKING ??♀️
Go see #TheWomanKing. Do your own research to educate yourselves on these warrior women, French colonialism & them imposing their beliefs into African nations, and how the Dahomey/Agojie battled back against that. pic.twitter.com/WSFSnzzdCe
— TheOpinionatedQween (@TabithaSpeaks) September 18, 2022
DO NOT #BOYCOTTTHEWOMANKING… I am tired of the complaining BLACK ppl , on one one hand screaming representation and the other is the crab in the barrel. The movie acknowledged their role and contributions to the slave trade. The story is not exact but well done & must see
— Kamilah J. Perkins (@kamilahj) September 17, 2022
This is some real evil, sinister shit. I feel it in my soul.
In the end they cursed themselves. #BoycottWomanKing #BoycottTheWomanKing pic.twitter.com/3lWLiTMd3x
— ADOS Warrior – Aletha will not be silenced ?? (@AllieYoup) September 17, 2022
The Woman King does NOT equal Black or Women Empowerment. The Woman King does NOT equal Black or Women Empowerment. The Woman King does NOT equal Black or Women Empowerment. The Woman King does NOT equal Black or Women Empowerment. #BOYCOTTTHEWOMANKING
— Jubie J aka Veno (@j_jubie) September 19, 2022
I, as a Puerto Rican cannot support and will no longer support the studios that produced or distributed the movie The Woman King. #BOYCOTTTHEWOMANKING
— Josef Lopez (@JosefLo50419899) September 19, 2022
What are your thoughts on The Woman King movie? Let us know in the comments below!
Readers Might Also Like:
Trina To Receive ‘I Am Hip Hop Award’ at This Year’s BET Hip Hop Awards
Questlove To Executive Produce Upcoming J Dilla Documentary, ‘Dilla Time‘
The Undeniable Get Back Of Finesse2Tymes – Some Things Can’t Be Stopped
Meet Asake: Everything You Need To Know About The AfroBeats Chart Topping Singer