Red Sonja
Red Sonja (2025) is an American sword and sorcery film directed by M. J. Bassett, based on the iconic comic book character. The narrative follows the titular barbarian, Red Sonja, after her homeland is devastated by invaders, forcing her to flee. She embarks on a journey that leads her to confront the tyrannical Emperor Dragan and his deadly consort Annisia, who are involved in brutal gladiator games and seek an ancient, powerful artifact. Sonja unites an alliance of outcasts to fight for their freedom and to bring justice to the empire. The film aims to present a more modern and empowered female protagonist, consciously moving away from previous "male-gaze" interpretations of the character. The film has received an R-rating primarily due to its intense and graphic depiction of violence. While it seeks to avoid overt sexualization, the fantasy genre context and some content elements may warrant parental discretion. The story involves themes of vengeance, rebellion against tyranny, and a connection to ancient, non-Christian spiritual elements. Its overall tone is expected to be dark and serious, consistent with the sword and sorcery genre, and it is set for a limited theatrical release in the U.S. on August 13, 2025.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe film is rated R for 'strong/bloody violence' and contains frequent, graphic depictions of combat and its aftermath. Descriptions include dismemberment, severe injury, and disturbing visuals related to animal and human suffering.
The MPAA rating for 'Red Sonja (2025)' explicitly cites 'strong/bloody violence.' The BBFC classification details 'sustained sequences of strong violence, such as stabbings and knife slashings which feature blood spurts and bloody aftermath detail.' Specific examples include a creature biting another's neck resulting in blood spraying, a person being decapitated with their severed head held up, and fantastical animals discovered mutilated and bloodily injured. Additionally, there is sight of corpses who have been experimented on. The movie opens with Sonja's homeland being invaded and its people slaughtered.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe film features highly intense and potentially frightening sequences, consistent with its R-rating for violence. This includes graphic combat, disturbing imagery of mutilated beings, and suspenseful survival situations.
The R-rating for 'strong/bloody violence' directly implies intense content. Scenes include graphic injury detail such as stabbings, blood spurts, and decapitation. Disturbing imagery like 'fantastical animals...mutilated and bloodily injured' and 'corpses who have been experimented on' contribute to the scary atmosphere. The film's opening depicts the 'harrowing assault' on Sonja's homeland, which is described as 'unmistakably violent and deeply disturbing.' Red Sonja is also 'mortally wounded' in combat, creating a high-stakes, intense situation.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe film's director, M. J. Bassett, is an openly transgender woman, and she has expressed an intent to move away from the 'male gaze' in portraying Red Sonja, aiming for a more 'empowered woman' narrative. One review described the film as 'not-so-subtly Queer' and embracing 'Trans-inclusionary subtext,' with blurring of genders and identities. While explicit LGBTQ+ relationships within the film's narrative are not explicitly confirmed, the thematic approach guided by the director's identity suggests a significant subtext.
Director M. J. Bassett is an openly transgender woman who consciously aimed to create a 'completely different story' for Red Sonja that is 'very woman empowered' and moves away from the character's traditional 'male-gaze-oriented' portrayal in comics. One review specifically noted the film's 'not-so-subtly Queer' nature, highlighting 'Trans-inclusionary subtext' and the blurring of genders and identities within the narrative. Former director Joey Soloway, a non-binary queer activist, was also previously attached to the project.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumWhile the film reportedly contains 'no nudity or sex' and strives to subvert the 'male gaze' prevalent in previous iterations of the character, some elements of sexual content are present. These include implied sexual threats and a crude reference, alongside the protagonist's revealing attire being reframed within the narrative.
Multiple sources confirm 'no nudity or sex' in the film, with director M. J. Bassett and lead actress Matilda Lutz actively working to avoid a 'male-gaze-oriented' portrayal of Red Sonja. However, the BBFC rating mentions that 'Soldiers are briefly sexually threatening to a female warrior' and 'A comic reference is made to a man's penis size.' Red Sonja is shown wearing her iconic 'chain mail bikini,' but the film attempts to frame it not for sexualization but as a 'symptom of the degradation that Draygan inflicts' or as a 'joke' that falls flat in subverting expectations.
Profanity
MediumThe film includes moderate use of strong language, featuring several common expletives and derogatory terms, alongside milder curse words.
The BBFC classification explicitly notes 'Moderate bad language ('whore', 'bitch') is accompanied by mild terms ('balls', 'shit').' This indicates the presence of various levels of profanity within the dialogue.
Witchcraft & Occult
MediumThe narrative prominently features elements of fantasy magic and pagan worship. The protagonist, Red Sonja, worships a forest goddess who grants her healing and empowerment, and a powerful mystical tome is central to the plot, wielded by both the hero and the villain.
Red Sonja is depicted as worshipping 'the forest goddess Ashera,' who 'heals Sonja and sends her back to battle' after she is mortally wounded. A central plot device is an 'ancient Hyrkanian book that grants destructive power,' with a second half dedicated to 'healing and nature.' Emperor Dragan uses an 'energy device' linked to power, which functions akin to magical artifacts in the fantasy setting.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe central plot involves the protagonist, Red Sonja, leading a rebellion against a tyrannical emperor. This heroic defiance against oppressive authority is a prominent theme throughout the film.
Red Sonja 'unites a group of unlikely warriors to face off against Dragan and his deadly consort Annisia,' actively rebelling against their rule. She helps 'the other captives escape' gladiatorial combat and engages in a 'guerilla war' to prevent Dragan from obtaining a mystical tome. This demonstrates a strong theme of defiance and resistance against an unjust, oppressive system.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumThe film portrays a polytheistic spiritual worldview where the protagonist worships a 'forest goddess Ashera.' The main antagonist is depicted as not believing in gods and focused on a form of 'progress' through 'magic technology,' creating a contrast between pagan spirituality and a secular/materialistic drive for power. There are no explicit attacks or mockery of Christian beliefs, but rather an embracing of alternative spiritual frameworks.
Red Sonja's worship of 'the forest goddess Ashera' is a recurring element, with Ashera appearing to Sonja and granting healing/empowerment. Emperor Dragan, the antagonist, 'does not believe in the gods' and pursues 'progress,' contrasting with Sonja's spiritual beliefs. His use of an 'energy device' for power could represent a more technological/materialistic worldview in opposition to ancient spiritualism. The narrative immerses viewers in a pagan fantasy setting without incorporating Christian elements.
Substance Use
LowThere is no significant depiction or mention of alcohol or drug use within the film's narrative.
A parental guide explicitly states, 'There's no indication of drug or booze-fueled revelry. No bar crawls, no smoky dens.'
Other Notes
Target Demographic
17+ due to strong/bloody violence, sexual threats, intense sequences, and mature themes of rebellion and pagan spirituality.
Additional Notes
The film completed post-production by October 2023 and is receiving a limited theatrical release. Its runtime is approximately 110-111 minutes. The director's background and stated intentions significantly influence the thematic approach to gender and empowerment, moving away from potentially exploitative elements of the source material.
Related Reviews
Is Red Sonja right for your family?
These concerns are a starting point — what many Christian parents care about. Want to screen for other themes? Define your own concerns.
Screen any book, movie, or show — even titles no one else has reviewed.
“StoryScanner gives us clarity and confidence. It's become our go-to for checking books at the library and movies on family night.”
— Cristi & Brian, Dallas TX
“StoryScanner has been such a BLESSING for researching books for our children. You can set filters for your concerns, enter a book title, and it lets you know what's present.”
— Christian Book Reviews for Families (Facebook)
No credit card required