Red Sonja (2025) Review: A Sword-and-Sorcery Romp With Bite

This Red Sonja review starts with a simple question: can a new screen version of the She-Devil with a Sword do better than the 1985 cult favourite? MJ Bassett's 2025 take is grittier, more serious and rated R. It is also rougher around the edges than its ambitions suggest.

The film runs a lean 111 minutes and aims squarely at fans of old-school sword-and-sorcery adventure. Here is what works, what doesn't and whether it deserves your time.

Red Sonja Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Red Sonja plot follows a young girl whose life is torn apart by tragedy. She grows into a fearsome fighter, known across the land as the She-Devil with a Sword. The tagline sums up the stakes: a hero will rise, and an empire will fall.

The empire in question is ruled by Emperor Dragan the Magnificent, a ruler with a lot of ego and an army to match. Sonja's quest for justice puts her on a collision course with him. That is about as far as it makes sense to go here, and the film itself doesn't stray far from familiar revenge-adventure territory.

The character began in the Conan the Barbarian comics in 1973, and this version leans on that comic-book heritage. If you want the full genre picture, browse our Action movie reviews and Adventure movie reviews.

What Works in Red Sonja

The biggest improvement over 1985 is tone. The kid-friendly goofiness of the older film is gone, replaced by a serious, bloodier approach that suits the character better. Fans who wanted a harder-edged Sonja will find her here.

The action fills much of the running time, and the pace rarely sags. Director MJ Bassett keeps things moving, and the film never overstays its welcome.

• A tougher heroine: Sonja is written as a capable, driven fighter rather than a novelty.

• A villain with flair: the emperor gives the film its most entertaining scenes.

• Short and direct: at under two hours, the adventure stays brisk.

The score, arranged and produced by Sonya Belousova and Giona Ostinelli, adds some epic colour. It supports the mood without redefining it.

Red Sonja Cast and Performances

The Red Sonja cast is led by Matilda Lutz as Sonja. She brings physical conviction to the role and sells the character's pain and fury. The script gives her limited emotional range to play with, but she holds the centre of the film.

Robert Sheehan is the standout as Emperor Dragan the Magnificent. He plays the ruler with a sly, theatrical edge, and nearly every critic who has weighed in singles him out. Whenever he is on screen, the movie gains energy.

The supporting players include:

• Wallis Day as Annisia

• Luke Pasqualino as Osin The Untouched

• Michael Bisping as Hawk

• Martyn Ford as General Karlak

These characters mostly operate as archetypes. They have the look and presence for a fantasy romp, but few get much depth beyond their role in the story.

Where Red Sonja Stumbles

The main problem is polish. Audience reactions point to a lack of care in the production, and it shows. The story is predictable, and the character work is thin.

Fight scenes that lack punch

The fights fill a lot of the runtime, but some feel loosely assembled, closer to enthusiastic fantasy role-play than sharp, memorable choreography. Without standout set pieces, the action blurs together.

A familiar revenge tale

The plot follows a well-worn path. If you have seen a few swords-and-sorcery adventures, you will see most turns coming. The film also can't match the cult charm that keeps the 1985 version alive for some viewers, silliness and all.

Audience scores reflect the mixed result. The film sits at about 5.6 out of 10 on TMDB, and our rating lands in the same place.

Is Red Sonja Worth Watching?

Yes, if your expectations are modest and you enjoy the genre. Red Sonja is a decent, serious-minded fantasy romp that is far from essential. Think of it as a solid pick for a casual night in, not a landmark of the genre.

The Red Sonja release date was 31 July 2025, and it arrived with little fanfare. Sheehan's villain and Lutz's committed lead are the best reasons to press play. The weak script and uneven finish are the best reasons to stay away.

For more recent genre picks, you might try our take on Eenie Meanie, a very different kind of ride. If you want more background on the film, see its IMDb page.

Who Will Enjoy Red Sonja

• Fans of the comics and of classic sword-and-sorcery who want a darker, R-rated take.

• Viewers who like brisk, straightforward action and don't need a complex plot.

• Anyone curious to see Robert Sheehan chew the scenery as a flamboyant emperor.