Damsel

Elodie’s story in Damsel takes a surprising turn as she discovers that the traditional tale of the dragon being a savage beast is actually a cover-up for darker human treachery. The royal family of Aurea, instead of fighting the dragon, had long been killing innocent women—either young princesses from neighboring kingdoms or their own—who were sacrificed to appease the creature. This brutal cycle was initiated when the first king murdered a family of baby dragons, incurring the wrath of the mother dragon, who then demanded the sacrifice of his daughters. Over centuries, the royal family continued this shameful practice, masking it with stories of a vengeful monster and saving themselves from guilt by blaming the creature.

Elodie’s discovery inside the cave is the pivotal moment. She finds the remains of the murdered baby dragons, exposing that the dragon was not a villain but a victim of human cruelty. She also learns that her father’s kingdom was complicit in the long-standing deception, as King Bayford had known the truth but chose to go along with the charade to secure resources for his people. His attempt to rescue Elodie shows some remorse, but he ultimately falls victim to the dragon’s wrath.

When Elodie faces the dragon, she sees the cycle of revenge and violence that has plagued both humans and the creature for generations. She chooses not to kill the dragon, recognizing that it’s been wronged and that revenge only perpetuates the cycle. Instead, she helps the dragon heal and escapes, symbolically breaking this cycle of cruelty. Her act of mercy leads to the downfall of Queen Isabelle and Prince Henry, who are scorched to death when the dragon, now an ally, unleashes its fury upon the guilty royal family.

In the end, Elodie, her sister Floria, and the stepmother set sail back to their homeland, leaving behind a kingdom and a legacy of lies. The dragon, no longer a mindless monster but a creature wronged and now freed, flies alongside Elodie—possibly hinting at future adventures or a new beginning rooted in justice and compassion. This ending underscores that the real monsters are often humans corrupted by greed and cruelty, and that forgiveness and understanding can bring about freedom from cycles of violence.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:59