Nimona is a shape-shifting outsider, voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz, in this animated feature on Netfix. NImona frightens people because she’s different and she struggles to find a way to fit in.
Nimona appoints herself sidekick for Ballister (Riz Ahmed) after he is accused of killing the Queen (Lorraine Toussaint). He didn’t kill her, he was set up, but it looked like he did it.
Even Ballister’s boyfriend Ambrosius (Eugene Lee Yang) believed that Ballister had killed the queen. The only person who saw his truth was Nimona. Everyone else in the kingdom was out to get him.
Nimona first appeared to Ballister as a girl. He quickly discovered she could shape shift into anything of any size. She could be scary or sweet, depending on the needs of the moment. At first Ballister was as afraid of her as everyone else – he called her a monster like the others.
When Ballister asks her, “WHAT are you?” she simply answers, “I’m Nimona.”
As he began to see her, he realized she was not a monster, just different. Ballister was different, too. He was a commoner about to be made a knight, the first commoner to do so in 1000 years. They became sidekicks for each other, protecting and helping.
This action packed animated film was beautiful to watch. There were some quotable lines making the point about acceptance and tolerance. Nimona said, “Kids. Little kids. They grow up believing that they can be a hero if they drive a sword into the heart of anything different. And I’m the monster?” When Ballister asks her, “WHAT are you?” she simply answers, “I’m Nimona.”
Even kids will get the message from this fast-paced animated film about belonging and acceptance. Different isn’t the enemy. A message like that could not be more timely.
In addition to the voice actors I’ve already named, the film also features Beck Bennett, RuPaul, Indya Moore, and Frances Conroy. The film is based on a graphic novel by ND Stevenson.
Children and adults will all enjoy this film. If you watch it, please share your impressions of it.