Nimona, by Nick Bruno & Troy Quane

Updated: Aug 13, 2023

When Ballister Boldheart appears to have murdered the queen and betrayed his kingdom, Nimona is the one person who believes Ballister might be more than a monster.

Title: Nimona

Format: Computer-animated film

Directed by: Nick Bruno, Troy Quane Written by: Robert L. Baird, Lloyd Taylor. Adapted from ND Stevenson’s webcomic and graphic novel of the same name. Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang Genre(s): Fantasy, adventure, comedy Rating: PG Streaming service: Netflix

Release date: 2023 Plot summary: Despite exceling in training at the Institute of Elite Knights, Ballister Boldheart is not sure he’s fit to serve the kingdom. He wasn’t born into nobility like his partner Ambrosius Goldenloin, a descendant of the legendary, monster-slaying knight Gloreth. But the visionary Queen Valerin believes that anyone, even a commoner, can be a hero. Just seconds before Ballister’s official knighthood, however, the Queen is assassinated – by a deadly laser from Ballister’s own sword! He was framed, but the world isn’t convinced. Now an enemy of the kingdom, Ballister’s only ally is the young Nimona, who arrives at his hideout determined to be his sidekick.

As a shapeshifter, Nimona knows what it’s like to be feared by those who don’t understand her. She’s determined to strike down the kingdom’s small-minded notions about heroes versus villains, and humans versus monsters. As they become an unlikely (but dynamic) duo, even Ballister must question his own beliefs about “monsters” like Nimona to be the truest kind of hero – a good friend. About the creators: This is the second joint project for North American directors Bruno and Quane; their directorial debut was Spies in Disguise in 2019. Prior to directing, each had served as an animator or storyboard artist for blockbuster animated films such as Hotel Transylvania and Ice Age (Dawson, 2019). The film’s principal screenwriters are Baird and Taylor; their previous writing credits include Big Hero 6 and Monsters’ University (Netflix, 2023). The film was animated by DNEG, a U.K.-based studio that has won Academy Awards for special effects work on films like Interstellar and Inception (Failes, 2018). Nimona is the studio’s third major animation project, following Ron’s Gone Wrong and Entergalactic (DNEG, n.d.). Quality: The textures, movements, and colors in the film are stunning. The cast also features skilled, well-known actors in the lead roles. Their popularity and various accolades lend credibility to the film and their voices, rich with emotion, truly bring their characters to life. Central themes, including the dangers of othering and the need to abolish harmful institutions, are woven into the story with care, not didactically or awkwardly. Overall, Nimona is a film of superb quality.

Critical review: The computer animation is visually arresting, although changed from ND Stevenson’s hand-drawn, more minimalist style. The story has also been changed significantly; in Stevenson’s story, Ballister’s surname was “Blackheart,” and aptly he leaned into villainy and had always wanted to defy the Institution. In the Netflix adaptation, he is far more innocent and slower to rebel. Perhaps ironically, he’s less “bold,” and in any case, he is less complicated. As such, the adaptation avoids addressing the grey area in our concept of good vs. evil, which the original comic had presented more deftly.

However, the funny and fang-toothed titular character still shines. Her humor makes her instantly likeable, and her righteous anger makes her relatable, especially to teens, who often feel misunderstood in much the same way Nimona does. Her comfort and pride in her shapeshifting abilities might also inspire teens exploring the fluidity of their identities. Nimona’s rebellious nature is emphasized by a score that predominantly features punk rock. Artists like The Dollyrots and Sahara Hotnights might be lesser known to most audiences, but the music in the film is undeniably fun.

Together, Nimona and Ballister share a father-daughter energy much like Joel and Ellie in The Last of Us or Hopper and Eleven in Stranger Things; fans of those sardonic but sweet duos might also enjoy this one. The film balances their witty banter and fast-paced action sequences with heavier beats, including confessions, revelations, and expressions of anger and love, delivering a highly satisfying emotional experience. Related programming ideas: Nimona could be incorporated into Pride Month programming for teens. Following a film screening, the local LGBT or Pride center could share resources and lead dialogue about safe exploration or expression of identity and finding trusted adults (such as mentors or counselors). Additionally, the film could be paired with comic or animation workshops for teens, or as part of a passive program that asks teens to vote on their favorite book-to-film adaptations. Potential challenges: The romantic relationship between Ballister and his fellow knight Ambrosius, who hold hands and kiss in the film, might be opposed by groups who oppose LGBTQIA+ content in media for youth. Nimona’s shapeshifting is a subtler symbol of gender fluidity, but could face similar opposition by such groups. In fact, when film production had temporarily been halted years prior, it was rumored that Disney (who owned the project at the time), was hesitant to include queer and queer-coded characters (Strapagiel, 2021). The film could also be challenged for its depiction of suicidal ideation. In a dark moment in which she’s triggered to recall a traumatic memory, Nimona expresses: “I don’t know what’s scarier – the fact that everyone in this kingdom wants to run a sword through my heart, or sometimes, I just want to let them.”

Reason for inclusion: The compelling, heartfelt story and luminous animation are comparable to those of well-loved Disney or Pixar films. Its central characters relationships will likely be especially meaningful to young people who are queer or questioning their gender and/or sexuality. Brief trailer: When would-be knight Ballister Boldheart appears to have murdered the queen and betrayed his kingdom, he flees into hiding. Nimona is the one person who believes Ballister might be more than a monster, but he soon discovers that she’s a misunderstood creature herself.

Check this out! A playlist that includes the Nimona trailer and behind-the-scenes deets about the film!