Review of Red Sonja: Queen of Plaques

Red Sonja: Queen of Plagues is a 2016 animated sword and sorcery film starring the fierce warrior Red Sonja, adapted from Dynamite Entertainment's acclaimed comic series. Psycho Bob the Cat and I recently watched this captivating animated feature, and it truly exceeded my expectations. The animation style closely resembles a traditional motion comic, faithfully translating the original comic book artwork to the screen with minimal adjustments—mainly removing text boxes and animating the static artwork through movement and stretching, creating a striking visual experience.

Please note: This film is clearly not meant for younger viewers, mainly due to righteous revenge fight sequences, some gore, and—yes—some decapitations.

Directed by Gail Simone, a renowned comic book writer celebrated for her work on Wonder Woman and Batgirl, the screenplay is based on her own graphic novel. The story comes to life through illustrations by Walter Geovani, with additional artwork by Jenny Frison. Their combined talents deliver an authentic, visually captivating adaptation that stays true to the spirit of the original comics.

The voice acting is exceptional, bringing authenticity and charisma to each character—especially Sonja, who is fierce, witty, and compelling even when full of drink. She was brought to life by Mysty Lee and Becca Strom voiced Dark Annisia / Lila / Guard Girl / Seamstress / Female Soldier.

The story centers on Red Sonja, the She-Devil with a Sword, who is driven to repay a blood debt owed to a man she respects—even if it means leading a doomed army into certain death. The plot delves into the mystery of Dark Annisia, a formidable adversary who has achieved what neither gods nor demons could—forcing Sonja to her knees in surrender. An epic tale of blood, lust, and vengeance, Queen of the Plagues takes Sonja from despair’s depths to battlefield glory.

The film stays true to the essence of the original comic while expanding Sonja’s character in engaging and innovative ways. Overall, Red Sonja: Queen of Plagues offers a blend of dynamic action, compelling storytelling, and visual innovation. Its modern motion comic animation combined with an energetic narrative makes it a must-watch for fans of animated adventures and iconic heroines. I highly recommend it for a thrilling and visually unique cinematic experience.

Streaming Note: At the time of this review, we watched Red Sonja: Queen of Plagues on the Tubi streaming app.

Rating: Psycho Bob and I give this 4.7 twitching whiskers out of 5.