Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- campy
- flamboyant
- heroic
- camp movie night
- 1980s fantasy marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film poorly directed, miscast, clumsily written, and unintentionally funny despite its fantasy spectacle.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Red Sonja takes up her magic sword after Gedren kills the talisman's keepers and attacks her homeland.
Gedren seeks total power through the talisman, while Sonja and Kalidor pursue the threat it represents.
Critics repeatedly characterize the film as silly, unintentionally funny, and excessively theatrical within its sword-and-sorcery setting.
Sonja's power depends on an oath never to give herself to a man even as she falls in love with Kalidor.
Films like Red Sonja, and why
Conan the Destroyer
Shared sword-and-sorcery fantasy, barbarian worldbuilding, heroic quests, and campy action spectacle.
The Beastmaster
Shared high fantasy adventure, warrior protagonists, magical artifacts, tyrannical villains, and colorful 1980s spectacle.
Ator the Fighting Eagle
Shared female warrior protagonist, revenge-driven quest, fantasy battles, and pulpy swordplay.
Masters of the Universe
Shared comic-book fantasy, magical powers, flamboyant villains, and knowingly excessive action-adventure tone.
Movie Details
- Director
- Richard Fleischer
- Release Date
- 1985-04-09
- Runtime
- 89 min
- Rating
- 5.4 / 10 (991)
Cast
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Brigitte Nielsen
- Sandahl Bergman
- Paul L. Smith
- Ernie Reyes Jr.
- Ronald Lacey
- Pat Roach
- Terry Richards
- Janet Ågren
- Donna Osterbuhr
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Red Sonja about?
- A fierce swordswoman challenges a power-hungry queen in a flamboyant, camp-inflected fantasy quest where independence and romance collide.
- What is Red Sonja like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Red Sonja as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Red Sonja violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Red Sonja as moderate.
- What did critics think of Red Sonja?
- Critics broadly found the film poorly directed, miscast, clumsily written, and unintentionally funny despite its fantasy spectacle.
- Which films are like Red Sonja?
- Films with a similar feel include Conan the Destroyer, The Beastmaster, Ator the Fighting Eagle, and Masters of the Universe.
- How long is Red Sonja?
- Red Sonja runs 89 minutes.
- Where can I watch Red Sonja?
- In United States, Red Sonja is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
