Based on a graphic novel of the same name, “Nimona” is a story as simple as they come: Good vs. Evil, Light vs. Dark and Heros vs. Monsters.
However, “Nimona” flips the script with a sci-fi fantasy, using its themes to provide a commentary on identity and fear, all while being palatable to children.
Yes, “Nimona” has a PG rating, but it has its moments that definitely share the message of keeping an open-mind with others that are different than you, especially within the LGBTQ+ community.
One of the main ways we see this allegory is through the relationship between Balistar Blackheart and Nimona, a hero and a monster.
Quickly after finding out that Nimona is a shapeshifter (i.e. queer), he begins to ask what Nimona considers “small-minded questions.” These are questions such as . . . well, why can’t Nimona “just be a girl.”
Queer can be defined as denoting or relating to a sexual or gender identity that does not correspond to established ideas of sexuality and gender, especially heterosexual norms.
During the early stages of their friendship, Balistar pushes Nimona to just stay a human, saying that it would be easier for her to stay a girl since not everyone is as accepting as he is.
These questions and comments are constant, especially the ever-prominent “what are you?”
To which she responds: “I’m Nimona.”
As a queer person myself, this is something I’ve gotten before in the past, and it resonated deeply with me. Surprisingly so, for a film that immediately beforehand had Nimona performing freestyle jazz posing as Balistar for a distraction.
As their friendship grows, Balistar grows to understand Nimona and her identity, defending her against others and their claims that she is a monster.
Throughout the film, people of the kingdom consider Nimona as a terror – a monster, a freak, something to be feared.
Most of this is observational learning, learning that occurs through observing the behaviors of others, passed down through generations, spanning back to the kingdom’s first hero, Gloreth, and her defeat of a monster.
However, this learned fear has a direct effect on Nimona’s life, being isolated from society and hunted when she arrives.
We actually see the true effect this observational learning has on Nimona’s psyche and how deeply ingrained this fear is within the society after a particularly bad run with the Institute. Nimona saves a child from danger, yet she was called a monster by the same child.
This whole scene leads to a quote that I believe safely boils this down: “Did you see the way that little girl looked at me? 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?”
It’s also safe to say this is my favorite scene throughout the whole movie.
This society fears those who are different, labeling them “monsters” and fabricating a narrative that fits their view, teaching children to fear as they do.
The character of Nimona is deeply engraved with transgender allegories, along with messages that can potentially educate others and change the way they view “monsters.”
Comments