Nimona

Nimona is a 2023 animated science-fantasy film directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane. It is based on ND Stevenson’s 2015 graphic novel of the same name, which began as a webcomic before being published by HarperCollins. The film combines a medieval-looking kingdom with advanced technology, presenting knights who use swords alongside flying vehicles, surveillance systems, and laser weapons.

Riz Ahmed voices Ballister Boldheart, a common-born knight selected to join the kingdom’s elite order. On the day he is meant to be knighted by the Queen, Ballister is accused of murdering her with a weapon that appears to fire on its own. He becomes a fugitive, while the Institution—the kingdom’s powerful governing and military body—brands him a villain. His former partner and romantic interest, Ambrosius Goldenloin, voiced by Eugene Lee Yang, is ordered to hunt him down.

Ballister’s unexpected ally is Nimona, voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz. Nimona is a rebellious teenage shapeshifter who can transform into animals, people, and enormous creatures. She wants Ballister to embrace the role of villain, but he is primarily interested in proving his innocence. Their investigation leads them to question the Institution’s official history, its control over public fear, and the story of a monster said to threaten the kingdom.

The supporting voice cast includes Frances Conroy as the Director, the leader of the Institution; Lorraine Toussaint as the Queen; Beck Bennett as Sir Thoddeus Sureblade; RuPaul as Nate Knight; and Indya Moore as Alamzapam Davis. The film’s screenplay was written by Robert L. Baird and Lloyd Taylor, with Pamela Ribon receiving story credit.

Nimona had a notably complicated production history. It was initially developed at Blue Sky Studios, where work began before Disney acquired 21st Century Fox. Disney closed Blue Sky in 2021, causing the project to be cancelled despite substantial work reportedly having been completed. Annapurna Pictures later revived the film, working with DNEG Animation. Netflix acquired distribution rights.

The finished film premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 14, 2023, and was released on Netflix on June 30, 2023. It received strong critical attention for its animation, action, emotional story, and LGBTQ+ themes, particularly the relationship between Ballister and Ambrosius. Nimona was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 96th Academy Awards, where it competed alongside The Boy and the Heron, Elemental, Robot Dreams, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.