Damsel runs into the same problems that frequently affect films of this type, and I’m not referring to criticisms about political correctness or diversity. The core issue is simply poor writing. There was too much unnecessary exposition disguised as subtlety, alongside scenes and lines of dialogue that felt manufactured. The visual effects are well-done, the costumes and set designs are good, and the general storyline shows promise, but the script frequently disappoints. I understand this is a PG-13 movie, but younger viewers aren’t as naive as that. The writing could be better; perhaps if we treat the next generation with some respect for their intelligence, they might start behaving accordingly. Ultimately, it's a film that squanders its cast and the hard work of everyone involved. SOME MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD: 1. I realize they were attempting to build suspense with the opening scene, but it diminished the impact of what was eventually revealed. The sequence involving birds had potential for excitement, but it fell flat because we’d already been shown the villain. 2. The "V" hallucination felt overly silly. It would have been more effective if Elodie had discovered the evidence herself and reacted naturally with a realization that something wasn't right. 3. It would have been nice to see Elodie use a sword at some point before they left their kingdom, even just briefly during her introduction "for protection" or similar reason. Future filmmakers should consider taking inspiration from Merida in *Brave* (2012). 4. The sister’s reaction to the stepmother's concern seemed unnatural and forced. 5. The stepmother’s injury should have been more serious – a stab wound, for example – and she should have appeared worse off when she encountered Elodie. That scene needed some revisions to make it more believable; perhaps Elodie could return to the ship and find the stepmother badly hurt. Time skips are an accepted storytelling device. 6. The father’s motivations weren't well-developed. They could have easily included palace guards watching him, suggesting he was being threatened, then reworked his rescue attempt. It wouldn’t make sense for him to appear uncaring towards his daughters’ needs and feelings; the idea that their family was in danger would have been a more logical explanation than "I thought the sacrifice was worth it for our people." The choice of using “my” instead of “our” is baffling. 7. There were too many stiff, predictable one-liners and overly dramatic moments like “No! ”. We’ve seen this kind of thing countless times, and it's just tiresome and artificial at this point.

Source on TMDB