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Red Sonja

Play trailer Poster for Red Sonja PG-13 Released Jul 3, 1985 1h 29m Fantasy Action Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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23% Tomatometer 30 Reviews 29% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Power-hungry Queen Gedren (Sandahl Bergman) captures the priestesses guarding the Talisman, a mystical orb that created and can destroy the world. But one of the priestesses escapes and seeks out her warrior sister, Red Sonja (Brigitte Nielsen), to warn her about Gedren's plan for world domination. Lord Kalidor (Arnold Schwarzenegger), the Talisman's keeper, insists on helping Sonja, and though she scorns the assistance of any man, she soon gains respect for Kalidor's fighting prowess.
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Red Sonja

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Critics Consensus

Dull, poorly directed, and badly miscast, Red Sonja is an uninspired conclusion to Schwarzenegger's barbarian trilogy.

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Critics Reviews

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Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune None of this would matter if Red Sonja was the least bit exciting, or sexy, or even funny. Instead, it`s lumbering, oddly prim and laughable. Rated: 1/4 Jul 14, 2015 Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Reader The dialogue passages don't exactly play like Noel Coward, but this is a movie that succeeds rousingly well on its own humble, Saturday-night terms. Jul 9, 2010 Full Review Variety Staff Variety Red Sonja returns to those olden days when women were women and the menfolk stood around with funny hats on until called forth to be whacked at. Mar 26, 2009 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Though the execution is routinely second-rate, the basis on Robert E. Howard characters gives the premise a slight edge over its low-budget brethren and derivatives. Rated: 4/10 Aug 23, 2025 Full Review Sarah Vincent Sarah G Vincent Views This classic is definitely more fondly recalled than watched, but it still holds a special place in the heart of those who managed to watch it as children even though it was inappropriate with all the sexual violence and sword fighting. Aug 19, 2025 Full Review Alan Jones Starburst Red Sonja isn't camp enough to be funny, just boring. Jul 22, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Blu B For what it's worth Arnold is probably the best thing acting wise but even he isn't good. Even in 1985 the Girl Boss trope didn't work well than either. Sonja is such an unlikeable, wooden, and boring super soldier. Pretty much always emotionless and just very hard to like. The villian isn't good either. Now as subpar as they are nothing compares to Reyes Jr. & his guardian. God they are terrible, annoying, miscast, out of place, and you just wish they'd behead him already but unfortunately they never do. The editing and pacing are terrible here. At it's core this is a basic adventure movie of revenge and saving the kingdom. But it feels like stuff just happens with no buildup or introduction. Characters just appear with no explanation. Than on top of that stuff just happens that isn't done particulary well and doesn't really add anything to the story. It's not clear how one thing leads to the other. What Reyes Jr adds to the story besides a "loveable" sidekick for kids I'm not really sure. I feel like you could take him out completely and lose nothing if not gain a lot. Her & Arnold have no chemistry really. The whole ragtag group isn't likeable at all. You could rearrange pretty much everything that happens here and lose almost nothing. The ending becomes weird slapstick, drags, and just isn't interesting. Maybe it lost all the goodwill for me by that point. The music is alright but isn't anything special. The cinematgraphy isn't good. The one thing this has going for it is tons of production value. Great sets, overall good costumes, and good practical effects despite the metal dragon. But it's just used in scenes that don't add anything, the direction is just alright, and the characters aren't likeable. Skip this. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 09/18/25 Full Review Jerome S. Honest review: The movie starts off great and the direction is clear. It has some campy scenes and good side quest battles. I’m a Gen X and I enjoyed it back then and I enjoyed watching again. It’s worth popping some popcorn corn and making a movie night to relive some 80s memories. Cinematic 3/5, Sword and sorcery 5/5. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/07/25 Full Review steven d Absolute classic sword and sorcery romp. Dnt listen to the neyseyers Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/10/25 Full Review David W Whist it's definitely the weakest entry in Schwarzeneggers 'Conan' phase, unlike most I throughly enjoyed this sword and sandals romp. Never did understand the vitriolic reception it garned in some quarters. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/09/25 Full Review CodyZamboni Z Campy, boring main characters, Wooden acting, Annoying kid character, Unexciting sword battles, Cheesy fx. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 08/04/25 Full Review Wise O If anyone needs confirmation that Hollywood has totally and finally imploded they need to watch this movie as they will immediately realize the glorious news. Bye-bye Hollywood. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 07/11/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Red Sonja

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Movie Info

Synopsis Power-hungry Queen Gedren (Sandahl Bergman) captures the priestesses guarding the Talisman, a mystical orb that created and can destroy the world. But one of the priestesses escapes and seeks out her warrior sister, Red Sonja (Brigitte Nielsen), to warn her about Gedren's plan for world domination. Lord Kalidor (Arnold Schwarzenegger), the Talisman's keeper, insists on helping Sonja, and though she scorns the assistance of any man, she soon gains respect for Kalidor's fighting prowess.
Director
Richard Fleischer
Producer
Christian Ferry
Screenwriter
Clive Exton, George MacDonald Fraser
Distributor
United Artists, MGM Distributing Corporation
Production Co
Dino De Laurentiis Company
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 3, 1985, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
May 8, 2015
Runtime
1h 29m
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