Nimona (film)
An animated film about a shapeshifter and a framed knight.
Nimona is a 2023 American animated science fantasy action-adventure film directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, based on the 2015 graphic novel by ND Stevenson. The film follows Ballister, a former knight framed for murder, who teams up with the shapeshifting Nimona to clear his name. Originally developed at Blue Sky Studios, the project was canceled after the studio's closure in April 2021, then revived by Annapurna Pictures and released by Netflix in 2023.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
- Screenplay
- Robert L. Baird / Lloyd Taylor
- Story
- Robert L. Baird / Lloyd Taylor / Pamela Ribon / Marc Haimes / Nick Bruno / Troy Quane / Keith Bunin
- Based On
- Nimona · ND Stevenson
- Producer
- Karen Ryan / Julie Zackary / Roy Lee
- Starring
- Chloë Grace Moretz / Riz Ahmed / Eugene Lee Yang / RuPaul Charles / Indya Moore / Julio Torres / Frances Conroy / Lorraine Toussaint
- Editing
- Randy Trager / Erin Crackel
- Music
- Christophe Beck
- Studio
- Annapurna Pictures / Blue Sky StudiosThe film was made at Blue Sky prior to the studio's closure, with their version of the film being mostly intact and the studio being credited in the film.
- Distributor
- Netflix
- Released
- 14 June 2023 · Annecy · 2023 · 6 · 23 · United States · 2023 · 6 · 30 · Netflix
- Runtime
- 99 minutes
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The story is set in a medieval-futuristic kingdom protected by the Institute for Elite Knights, founded by the legendary Gloreth. Ballister Boldheart, the first commoner knight, is framed for the Queen's murder during his ceremony and becomes a fugitive. He meets Nimona, a teenage shapeshifter who insists on being his sidekick. Together they uncover that the Director of the Institute is the real murderer, but the Director manipulates the kingdom into believing Nimona is the Great Black Monster from legend. Nimona, feeling betrayed by Ballister, transforms into the monster and attempts suicide, but Ballister stops her. She ultimately sacrifices herself in a phoenix-like form to destroy a laser cannon aimed at the city, apparently dying. Later, the kingdom honors both as heroes, and Ballister finds evidence that Nimona survived.
Reader's Guide
Nimona is significant as a major animated feature that survived studio closure and corporate acquisition, moving from Blue Sky Studios to Annapurna Pictures and Netflix. The film received critical acclaim and was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Critics' Choice Awards, Annie Awards, and Academy Awards. Its themes of identity, acceptance, and challenging tradition resonated with audiences, and the film's production history—from cancellation to revival—highlighted the volatility of the animation industry. The voice cast includes Chloë Grace Moretz as Nimona and Riz Ahmed as Ballister, with ND Stevenson, the original graphic novel's creator, making a cameo as a cereal mascot. The film's rock-inspired score was composed by Christophe Beck.
Did You Know?
- The film was originally set for release in 2020 under Blue Sky Studios but was canceled when the studio closed in April 2021.
- ND Stevenson, creator of the original graphic novel, voiced the cereal mascot Kwispy Dwagon in the film.
- The film's world premiere was at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 14, 2023.
- Nimona's shapeshifting abilities include a Demon Baby disguise voiced by Mia Collins.
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