Red Sonja (2025)
Director: MJ Bassett
Writers: Tasha Huo, Robert E. Howard, Roy Thomas
Stars: Matilda Lutz, Wallis Day, Robert Sheehan, Michael Bisping, Martyn Ford, Eliza Matengu, Rhona Mitra, Veronica Ferres
Plot: As a girl, Red Sonja’s homeland of Hyrkania is devastated by barbarian invaders, forcing her into exile in the great forest. There she grows up worshipping the goddess Ashera while searching for surviving Hyrkanians. Years later, she clashes with mercenaries hunting animals for the gladiator arenas of Emperor Dragan. Captured by his general Karlak, Sonja is brought to the capital, where Dragan reveals his ambition to unite both halves of a sacred Hyrkanian book that grants ancient knowledge and power. Convinced Sonja can lead him to the missing refugees who guard the second half, he forces her into his schemes. In the arena, Sonja fights beside enslaved warriors against a cyclops, freeing it from Dragan’s control and turning it on its master. Though she destroys his energy device and escapes, Dragan survives and vows revenge. Joined by the other slaves, Sonja becomes a fugitive, pursued by Dragan’s soldiers and the warrior Annisia, who is promised marriage if she kills her. Despite Sonja’s attempts to sacrifice herself to protect her companions, they remain united. The missing Hyrkanians eventually find Sonja, carrying the book’s second half. When Dragan arrives with his forces, a brutal battle erupts, leading Sonja into her most dangerous trials and revelations.
* * *
Red Sonja (2025) | Transcript
[bright music]
[serene music]
[eagle screeching]
[bird squawking]
[woman]
In a time before history, the Hyborian Age, there existed the land of Hyrkania. It was a place of breath-taking beauty and pristine nature, where people lived as one with the Goddess of the Earth… …respecting her gifts and sharing her bounty. [inhales] It was a time of peace and harmony, until the rise of the barbarian King Anzus, who swept across the land, bringing terror and destruction wherever he went.
[laughter, indistinct chatter]
[somber music]
Okay, let’s play rock, paper, scissors.
[inaudible chatter]
[children laughing]
[ominous music]
[thunder rumbles]
[music intensifying]
[people shouting, screaming]
[yelling]
[melancholy music]
[animal crying]
[horse grunting]
[birds chirping]
[horse grunting softly]
[Sonja]
Just bad dreams, Vihur.
Time to move on.
We’re heading west today.
[birds chirping]
[leaves crunching]
I feel today is the day.
[Hyrkanian song]
Bless your sacrifice.
Thank you, forest.
[song continues]
[horse nickers]
[bees buzzing]
[horse nickers]
Goddess Asherah, please make today the day I find my people.
Mm.
[water splashes] Oh, stop it.
[grunts softly] Your odor would fell a skunk.
[bellowing in distance]
[man 1]
They went this way! All men!
[man 2] Look, tracks there!
Come on!
[man 3] Get after them, boys!
[bellowing]
[earth thudding]
[horses whinnying]
[man 2] Get after them!
[man 3] Yeah, there! Come on!
[man 2]
I see their tracks! Come on!
[indistinct shouting]
[man 2]
On me! Don’t let them get away!
Let’s make some money!
[bird squawking]
[pensive music]
[Fantatherium groans]
Goddess Asherah…
[groaning] …I pray you ease the suffering of this child of your forest.
[Sonja breathing heavily]
[Fantatherium grunting softly]
And grant me the power to find those who did this.
[grunting stops]
[grunts]
[pensive music]
[horse nickers]
[music swells]
[music fades]
You can’t come.
You stay here.
I’m gonna cut some throats.
Vihur, are your ears still filled with water?
Vihur, I said stay here.
When I get back, I’m swapping you for a pony.
[folk music]
[men laughing] [man 1] Pass me another keg!
I’m not nearly drunk enough!
[man 2] Looks like you boys had a good day.
[men laughing] Fantatherium horn will bring real gold.
[man 1]
Aye. And there’s more where that came from.
[man 2]
We’re gonna leave this place rich men.
[man 1] Nothing left but vermin and scavengers.
[all laughing] Mind the claws!
Mind the claws!
[creature screeching]
[man 3]
Careful. Careful!
Move your feet!
[man 1]
In you go! Get in there!
[man 3] Careful!
[horn plays]
[man 1]
It’s the emperor.
The emperor’s coming.
[man 3]
It’s him and his machines.
[men talking indistinctly]
[dramatic music]
[horses whinnying]
[growls]
[grunts]
[soldier]
Kneel before your emperor.
Down on your knees.
[indistinct chatter]
What?
[indistinct murmuring]
Oh.
Thank you.
Thank you. That’s very kind.
[Artran]
My Emperor, we have prepared a feast in your honor.
Oh, oh. Progress first, feast later, Commander…
Artran.
Commander Artran.
I want to hear of nothing but progress.
Uh, progress is excellent.
We’re clearing half a league a day.
Half a league?
Uh, are my machines not working correctly?
Oh, no, no, no.
Your machines are exceptional, my Emperor.
They’re a wonder of invention.
A testament to your wisdom and vision.
Each one faster than 100 slaves.
I marvel at the brilliance of your mind that you could even imagine them.
Without these machines, we would never be able to cut the trees as fast as we are.
But the forest is vast, and we lose many workers to the beasts that dwell within.
Uh, Commander Artran, you see, we need the lumber to fire the furnaces, and the ore is building entire cities.
Homes for people.
Places for people to live, to work, to trade.
Do you see?
And there are secrets within that I shall have.
You wouldn’t deny me these things.
You, you shall have everything you desire.
Good.
[Artran]
We’ve captured beasts for your arena, sir.
Sabertooths, volkhunds, a mortiferum even.
I am getting a cyclops, though.
Isn’t that right, Minister Coltar?
Oh, yes. Yes, Emperor.
[thudding] We have hunters in the forests of Nordheim and Brythium right now.
[animals squealing] They will not fail you.
Now, that is real progress, Commander Artran.
Now, who do we have here, General Karlak?
[Karlak]
The last of the Turan rebels, my Emperor.
[woman crying]
[metal clanking]
[women whimpering]
[soldier]
Move it. Move it!
Down, on your knees!
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!
Have a care.
This man was once the greatest king of Turan.
Your Majesty, off of your knees.
You were royalty.
Show some dignity in defeat.
You know, we once met before, when I was a little slave boy pouring ale in the service of King Anzus.
We did. Oh, yes, yes.
I recall you had the promise of greatness about you even then.
Really?
[chuckles] Because I recall how you spat on me.
Ah…
But, but, ancient history.
Perhaps we can make amends.
Amends? I’mYes.
I am at your service, Emperor.
Yes.
Yes, you are.
Your lands bordered the Hyrkanian Forest.
And it’s said to be as wide as the world itself.
You know I’m looking for something there.
The missing half of your Book of Secrets?
Do you know where it is?
Glorious Draygan, uh, the Hyrkanian Forest is endless and full of monsters.
What of the tribes who live there?
There are no tribes, Emperor.
It is too dangerous.
What of the Hyrkanians?
The Hyrkanians were all slaughtered by your predecessor, my Lord.
Anzus, who you defeated with your machines and your brilliance.
Only the gods dwell within, and only they decide who may pass through.
You think that your gods can stop me from conquering the world beyond?
Even you cannot defeat gods, my Lord.
Is that right? [chuckles] I will defeat your gods.
Do you want to know how? Hm?
It’s knowledge.
Knowledge that allows me to control the world like I control those savage beasts.
It’s knowledge that brings civilization to the barbarians.
Have any of your gods ever done that?
No.
No? Why?
[shouting] Why?
Why?
Because your gods are not real!
They don’t exist, and yet you continue to believe.
And that is why you and all of your kind are relics from the past, and I am the future!
[sighs]
Karlak?
[grunts] What is your judgment, Emperor?
[sighs] He’s of no use to me.
What do we have here?
Is this machine not working correctly?
[Karlak growls lowly]
[King of Turan grunts] [Karlak growls lowly]
[sword swishing]
[King of Turan screams] [blade slicing] [man 1] Good to see a king get his head cut off!
[body thuds]
[both laughing]
Don’t let the emperor hear you say that.
He’ll have that ape man cut your head off too.
[man 1]
Nah, we got him a nice beastie for his arena.
[animal snarling] [laughing]
[Sonja]
You came into my forest and left death and suffering.
You have nothing but cruelty in your hearts.
Whores are supposed to be in that tent.
I’ll come by later.
You look as if you clean up good.
[stabs]
[groaning]
[grunts] Murderers!
[groaning] Easy, my friend.
[animal snarls]
I’ll have you and your kin back in the forest soon.
[animal snarling]
[suspenseful music]
[grunting]
[metal clanks]
[man]
Drink to that!
[grunting]
[exhales]
[tense music]
You dare to take what Draygan owns?
No one can own the creatures of the forest.
Anyone can own anything with enough power.
Draygan owns the world.
What tribe are you from, Red Woman?
[swords clang] I have no tribe.
Where is your home?
This forest.
Liar.
No one can survive the Hyrkanian forest.
Everyone knows that.
And it’ll be gone soon enough anyway.
[voice] Liar! Liar! Liar! [breathing heavily] Yes.
Yes, I should slit her throat for her lies.
Then she could join you.
Why are you talking to the air?
Are you mad?
“Mad”?
Mind your insolence!
[both grunting]
[dramatic music]
[both grunting]
You looked as if you’d be better at this.
[gasping] I thought I would be too.
But, to be fair, I’m better with a knife.
That much is obvious.
[both grunting]
[crunching]
[Annisia screams]
[Sonja grunts]
[Draygan]
What’s going on here?
[people clamoring]
[both grunting]
[Draygan laughing, clapping]
Come on!
General Karlak, this is an entertainment!
[Vihur whinnying]
[dramatic music]
Vihur!
[man screams]
[Draygan]
Karlak, help her!
Stay down.
[Draygan]
Will she live?
[woman]
Lady Annisia cut her deeply, my Lord.
The wound may spoil.
[Sonja] Vihur.
[Draygan] You say she has no fighting skills?
[Annisia] None of worth.
[Draygan] Why did Karlak have to save you, then?
[Karlak laughing] Are you Hyrkanian?
Speak.
[Annisia] She says she has no tribe.
[Draygan]
Why are you here?
[grunts] General Karlak, loosen her tongue.
[Karlak growls lowly]
[Draygan]
Now, speak up. Tell us all.
[groaning]
[screaming]
A map of the Hyrkanian forest.
Very crude.
But you’re clearly looking for something.
And so am I.
[crying] This might be very useful to me.
[breathing heavily]
[screams]
[Draygan groans]
[screaming]
[people screaming]
[thuds]
[Karlak] My Lord, are you hurt?
No, I’m fine. I’m fine.
I like this one.
[kicks] Very, very feisty, eh?
[breathing heavily] Don’t spill her blood, Annisia.
I’ve had a better idea.
She’ll join the Damnati.
Let’s see how this barbarian fares in the arena.
Perhaps, who knows, she might become a champion to rival you.
[horses whinnying]
[Young Sonja]
Mom! Mom!
Sonja!
Run! Run to the forest!
Take the children and run! Go!
[man]
Please. Water, please!
[Young Sonja]
Dralagoon!
We must run!
We’ll hide in the forest!
[horses whinnying]
[Young Sonja]
No!
Dralagoon!
[intense music]
[Sonja]
Mother.
[dramatic music]
[grunts] Out! Come on! Move yourself!
[chains clanking]
[straining]
[man 1] What do we do with her?
[man 2] This one’s for the Damnati.
Where’s the wagon?
[horse whinnying]
Vihur. Vihur!
[whinnies]
Vihur! That’s my horse!
[man 1] Come on, you stupid beast!
Vihur!
You take your hands off him!
[man 2] No!
Take your hands off him!
Stop it! Come on!
[man 1]
Come on, move!
No!
[both grunt] Vihur!
Hyah!
[yells]
[groaning]
[both grunting]
[choking]
In you go!
[grunts] You must really like that horse.
[whinnying]
[grunts]
Mama, no!
Dralagoon!
[woman]
Is she going to live?
She’s stronger than any of us.
She will live.
It is time.
It is time for you to wake, my daughter.
There’s much to do now.
I am awake, Mama.
You’re not.
And I am not yourMama!
[gasps] [grunts] [grunts] See, captain?
Her fever has broken.
She lives as the emperor requested.
So it seems.
[scoffs]
She is now your problem.
Look around.
You are in the Damnati pits.
There’s nowhere to go.
No escape!
[Hawk] Would you stop your foolishness?
Disturbing my breakfast.
You know, it’s always the new ones.
Can’t we just start our day in peace?
Fight later?
If you insist on dying, simply wait a few days for the games.
Don’t waste your blood here.
There’ll be no cheers.
[Petra]
Listen to Osin. He’s right.
He’s been here longer than any of us.
Keep away.
[struggling] Why?
“Why”?
Because I’ll slit her throat.
Go ahead.
No one here cares.
[slurping] [Hawk scoffs, chuckles]
[tense music]
[Captain] Are you finished?
[woman grunts] Take a bunk. Sit down.
Unless you’d rather feel my whip.
[smacks lips]
[scoffs]
She’s nothing.
Oh, more fresh meat.
You don’t look like much either.
You think I give a hogshit about your little pecker and your worthless opinions?
[chuckles] Little pecker?
Petra, she’s insulting my manhood!
She’s a good judge of character.
[men laughing]
Petra, tell me what it is you see in him when there’s far better right before you.
I prefer an uncut gem rather than a polished jewel with no personality.
[chuckles] Ouch.
[Captain]
That’s enough!
Training starts at second bell!
Latecomers will be flogged!
My Lord, how is the search going in the Hyrkanian forest?
[Draygan sighs]
Disappointing. [chuckles] Well, how can you be certain it is even there?
When Anzus drove the Hyrkanians into extinction, the survivors fled into the forest and took the other half of this with them.
Why are you so convinced you need the other half of this book?
Look at everything you’ve accomplished already.
[Draygan]
Look at this.
Do you know what this says?
Do you know what it says?
You know I cannot read it.
Only you have deciphered the code.
It says… the child who holds the knowledge within shall hold the world in their hands.
It’s a prophecy. Do you see?
It’s a prophecy about me.
I am that child, and I unlocked the secrets and changed the world.
And in the missing pages of this will be knowledge that… [stuttering] even I can’t imagine, Crudelis.
New ideas, new machines, new worlds.
This is the key to shaping the future of my world.
And this is my story.
Do you understand?
This is my story.
And yet, without the other half…
[grunts in frustration]
…I don’t have an ending.
I need an ending, but I don’t.
[Draygan sighs]
How’s she doing?
Not bad.
Further than I ever got.
Not as far as I did, though.
[sighs]
[Sonja grunting]
[woman]
How did she end up here?
I heard she attacked the emperor’s fort in the Hyrkanian forest.
[woman 2]
I hear she took on six guards for a horse.
[man]
Has anyone ever made it to the top?
No one has ever made it to the top.
She’s past my mark.
[grunts]
[Hawk]
What does she think will happen if she makes it?
[Hawk]
Well, look at that.
Now, this is gonna get interesting.
[guard 1]
Hey, you!
What do you think you’re doing?
[guard 2]
Come on, get her!
[guards grunting]
[Damnatis laugh, chuckle]
[screams, thuds]
[guard grunts]
Oh, now she’s in trouble.
Imagine if she actually knew what she was doing.
Well, I doubt she’s gonna live long enough to find out.
If you want freedom so badly, all you have to do is win.
Mmhm. Like Lady Annisia.
Annisia, with the white hair?
The mad one who talks to herself?
She’s talking to her ghosts.
They say she is haunted by everyone she has ever killed.
She was a Damnati?
Yes, but she was a child slave first.
And then a Damnati.
She killed everyone before her and won her freedom.
I fought her already.
I lost. Obviously, I lost.
But when we fight again, I will be better prepared.
[objects clattering]
Uh, leave us, please.
[Annisia clears throat] My Lord?
It’s nearly time for the banquet, Annisia.
Aren’t you ready?
I’m feeling unwell.
Perhaps we could eat here.
Don’t you want to stay here?
Spend some time together?
[Draygan chuckles nervously]
We’re always together.
You know what I mean.
Why have we never shared a bed?
Don’t you think an emperor deserves an empress?
[chuckles]
Or am I still a slave and Damnati to you?
Annisia, you’re far more than that to me.
Neither of us are what we were.
I mean, look around. [stutters] We were slaves who found our paths to freedom.
Am I free?
I do not feel it.
I cannot escape their voices.
All the time, they torment me.
You promised that you would find a cure to this curse.
I
And I will.
I swear, once we understand the true nature of this…
…this error in your mind–
It’s not an “error in my mind.”
Hm.
Voices are real.
Yes.
Their spirits surround me.
Look at me.
Look at me.
I will find a cure.
And then your suffering will be over.
And then, when you are whole, when you are one, then you will be my empress, and you will rule alongside me.
But for tonight…
…let us quiet those voices for a time.
Good.
[cork squeaks]
[kisses] Okay, hurry.
[Draygan chuckles]
[pensive music]
[voices whispering]
[voice 1]
Murderer! [evil laughter] [voice 2] Murderer! You can never silence us.
[Captain]
Get training!
The games are today!
The emperor expects to be entertained!
Wake up.
[Captain] The citizens of Mighthaven deserve to be entertained!
[woman grunting]
[both grunting]
[yelling]
[Osin]
What’s your name, troublemaker?
Sonja.
Sonja?
Which tribe?
I have no tribe.
Well, welcome, Sonja, who is alone in the world.
They call me Osin The Untouched.
“Untouched”? Why?
Because no one has ever touched me with a blade.
Never?
Not since my imprisonment here.
But perhaps you could be the first one to touch me and win the prize.
And what prize is that?
Me.
You?
Can’t you see?
Prince Osin is fine.
A tasty morsel.
He is a royal feast.
[laughing]
He’s a preening fool with more luck than skill.
Rude.
[indistinct chatter, laughter]
[women grunting]
[woman] That all you’ve got?
What’s through there?
[Larkan]
The arena’s through there.
The whole reason we’re here.
Where we fight.
Who do we fight?
Whoever they put in front of us.
Barbarians.
Creatures.
Each other.
Each other?
[man grunts] But no one here is my enemy.
And no one here is your friend either.
Make none.
Have no attachments.
Life is cheap.
So we fight for what?
Just sport?
Surely you’ve killed before.
For food.
To protect what I love, not for sport. Never.
Well, then.
This one, a week at most.
[epic music]
[crowd cheering]
[both grunt]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd whistling]
All right, all right. One at a time, please. Don’t push.
[woman] I’ll take gloves.
Ashman, give me my weapons.
Out of my way, Petra.
Today, we meet the gods.
Gods will wait.
Here you go, Petra.
Get a move on, Blacksmith!
Fast as I can, boss.
Fast as I can. What? What?
[crowd cheering] [Hawk grunts]
[yelling]
[both yelling] None of that!
Come on, you! Let’s get it on!
[crowd chanting]
[Captain] Osin! You’re next!
[woman] What do you think we’re gonna be fighting today?
You do realize the only way out now is through there?
[Captain]
You won’t be so keen when you’re up here!
Don’t worry, I left some for you.
[woman] Give me the spear!
[Hawk laughs]
[Captain]
Are you ready?
[man]
What do you think we’ll be fighting today?
[Captain]
Make me proud!
[indistinct chatter]
Petra, for love.
[Captain]
Keep it orderly. No pushing!
[woman] Oi, give me the spear!
You’ll get your chance.
So, to get out of this miserable hole, I need to die or win, correct?
That’s right.
Damnati games. Hear that?
[crowd cheering] Biggest day of the week for these sad sacks.
Very well.
I want that and that. And those.
Excellent choices.
You can have this.
[man] I want to see faster moves!
[Dane] This.
[Captain] Larkan, you’ve been slacking!
And…
[man 2] Pass me that leather-plate armor.
…these.
And that protects?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
But the crowd will love it.
[woman]
Fight or die!
[pensive music]
[crowd cheering]
[cheering continues]
[woman yelling]
[muted]
Did they ever make you wear this?
I would have cut the balls from any man who tried to make me.
Ignore them all…
…and just focus on what’s coming out of that gate.
What is coming through that gate?
Could be anything.
I have a wooden sword.
Well, you best hope it’s not a giant beaver, then.
Why didn’t they ever dress you up that way?
[chuckles]
[Draygan mutters]
[Coltar]
Damnati…
…fight.
[crowd cheering] Yeah!
[Petra]
He wants us to fight.
Each other.
Well?
No.
We have to.
One of us dies…
…or we both die.
We are Damnati.
By the Goddess, I will not fight you.
Sonja!
I will not fight her for your entertainment.
But I will fight you!
Or are you a coward?
I’m sure this mob would enjoy that.
[crowd cheering]
[laughing]
This one’s touched by madness.
Yes. Such a shame she’s about to die.
Oh, it’s better that way.
[Petra choking]
Petra!
Petra!
[Petra chokes] Good shot.
Well done.
Petra!
[guard] Move! Damn it!
Get up!
[guard] Move!
[gurgling]
Petra, I’m sorry.
[guard] Move!
Petra!
Petra!
[guard] Move!
Petra!
Hawk.
[grunts]
[cheering]
[Petra yelling]
[grunting]
[Sonja grunting]
[grunts] [crowd gasps]
[crowd cheering]
Relax. Relax.
[grunts] There’s nothing you can do.
I don’t think that’s a good idea.
[Hawk sniffles, exhales]
Her last thoughts were for you.
Well, tonight we drink to the fallen Damnati.
Let us pray that they’re with their ancestors.
May they rest in peace.
To the fallen!
[others]
To the fallen!
[singing Hyrkanian song]
[singing along]
[nickers, grunts]
[Draygan]
So, tell me of progress.
[Crudelis]
My Lord, the forest beast is ready for the test.
Good. Good.
We are using your new design for the yoke.
[creature snarling]
[Draygan] Good.
[crackling]
[creature chittering]
And as you can see, the yoke is working better than ever.
Better than ever.
[Draygan]
Hm.
No, no. My Lord, please don’t do that.
[creature squealing]
[man gasps] Ah.
Hm.
Better than ever.
It’s true.
But still not on humans?
Uh, sadly, not yet.
I’ve conducted many experiments, but they all die.
But I’ve no doubt you will overcome the challenges, Lord.
Ah. I mean, I’ve pondered little else on my travels.
But the answers are in the book, I’m sure of that.
All the missing knowledge will be in the other half, and then, once we’ve perfected this yoke, we’re going to build a whole new army.
But here…
…we have made very exciting progress.
As you designed, the orb’s energy is now powering the whole city, and can soon be used in your new weapons.
Who are you?
My name is Daix.
How do you know the songs of my people?
It is Hyrkanian.
I know.
And you are clearly not Hyrkanian.
By the Goddess, you are one of the orphans from the forest.
Lost after Anzus attacked.
It was said that none of you survived.
I survived.
I survived.
One by one, my friends were taken… by starvation… cold, disease.
Always searching, I learned the ways of the forest.
How to live and thrive.
I survived, but I was alone.
No longer.
Your people are living and thriving in the heart of the forest.
[sobbing] I looked for so long.
I am not alone.
We have to escape this place.
[Captain]
Open the gates.
[gates creaking]
Barbarian, time to get changed.
The emperor wants to see you.
[woman 1] That’s her.
[woman 2] That’s the one from the arena.
Can you see her?
[man 1] He should have killed her for her insolence.
[man 2]
What’s she doing here?
[woman 3]
The emperor will have some fun with her.
[man 3] What’s she doing here?
[man 4] The emperor will have some fun with her.
Ambassador Purshtan requested a closer look.
Why is that Barbarian here?
Oh.
Oh, I thought she’d add a splash of color.
[metal clanks]
So, you like my map, barbarian?
It’s better than yours.
What you’re looking at is the known world entirely under my control.
I have armies in every land.
My conquest extends from sea to sea.
And with the help of your map, your precious forest is next to fall.
[Sonya]
Why?
Why do you wish to destroy it?
Because there are secrets within.
Asherah will never allow it.
You think this goddess of yours will show up and save you?
Save the day?
That day will never come.
Because guess what?
All of the gods…
[crowd gasping, murmuring]
…are in here.
[man] Is that it?
Look. Look, it’s the book.
Do you know what this is?
[intense music]
You are Hyrkanian, after all.
Aren’t you?
[footsteps approaching]
[Coltar]
My Emperor! My Emperor!
What?
My Emperor!
What? What?
It is here! It’s here!
Oh! Cyclops?
Excellent!
[people clapping] Send her back to the pits.
Everybody else follow.
[footsteps receding]
[pensive string music]
[rousing music]
[Asherah]
Protect the book. You are the one, Sonja.
[screaming]
[intense music]
[dramatic music]
Today’s the day.
[horses whinnying]
[man]
Hyah!
[dramatic music continues]
[all grunting]
[gate creaks]
[Captain grunts]
[man] Make ’em bleed!
You! You!
And you! You are up!
Why am I not fighting?
I’m a better sport than any of these.
Emperor’s order!
You’re to watch them all die.
[man 1]
Fight or die!
[man 2 laughs] Do not let this one die.
This one? You do understand it’s unlikely that any of us will survive this day?
We must keep him alive.
You heard the woman. Stay alive.
What about me?
Hey! What about me?
She didn’t say anything about you!
[blades swishing]
Red?
Round.
I want something good today.
You do realize your entire job is to die exceptionally?
Why would I arm a pig if all I want is bacon?
If my only job is to die well, why will they not let me fight today?
It’s up to the emperor.
He’s got a plan, you see?
Dane, I want armor and weapons.
Good ones this time.
Why would you possibly be smiling now?
Because you’re the only one that’s ever remembered my name.
[shouting]
[dramatic music]
[crowd whistling, cheering]
You are exceptional.
[grunting]
[horses whinnying]
[man]
There’s more of them coming!
Fire.
[arrows swishing] [men grunt]
[crowd cheering]
[laughing]
I am here to fight!
Is it not what you want?
What I want is for you to tell us all where the last of those pesky Hyrkanians are.
[horse whinnying] I am the last.
We both know that that’s not true.
Tell me now!
Come on!
Tell us all now, or every Damnati in this arena dies here tonight!
Come on! Move it!
Out, all of you!
[horse whinnying]
[dramatic music continues]
It’s up to you!
We will not fight each other!
You don’t have to fight each other.
[clicks]
[ground rumbling]
[hatch opening]
[clangs]
[tense music]
[sinister music]
[intense music]
[cyclops growls lowly]
[chains rattling]
[ground thudding]
[growling]
[crowd cheering]
Behold.
[growls]
[cyclops continues growling]
Shall we see what this excellent beast can do?
Will there be blood?
Oh, I hope so.
I hope so!
[laughing]
[clicking]
[device whirring]
[growls, roars]
[ground thudding] Fall back!
[woman] Back!
[man] Move back!
[woman]
Fall back! Behind me!
[man] Steady! Come on!
[woman] Get behind him!
[screaming]
[man] Move it! Come on!
[growls] Come on!
[grunts]
It got Hawk!
[cyclops growls]
[Osin grunting]
[man 2] Osin!
[screaming]
[laughing]
[Coltar] Byebye, Osin.
[growling]
[dramatic music]
[growling]
[grunts]
[dramatic music continues]
[roaring]
[growling]
[Sonja grunts]
No, no, no, no, no, no!
[Sonja grunts]
[creature growls]
[Sonja gasps, grunts]
[growls]
[Sonja gasps]
[crowd cheering]
[cyclops growls lowly]
Stop!
You are free!
I am not your enemy!
There is your enemy!
[growling]
[people murmuring]
[Coltar]
It shouldn’t be doing this.
[panicked chatter]
[man]
Oh, my gosh!
Karlak!
[screams]
[cyclops growling]
[dramatic music]
[Karlak]
My Lord!
My Lord!
[panting]
Karlak!
[coughing] My Lord!
Over here.
[coughing]
Help!
[groans, coughs] My Lord!
Through here.
Where’s Osin?
He went over.
I’m sorry.
[grunting]
[Osin]
This doesn’t count!
[groaning]
I’m still untouched!
[exhales]
[exhales] So, what now, Sonja?
The cyclops opened the way.
Go! There’s your freedom!
I’ll meet you by the White Chapel on the hill at dawn.
But first, there’s something I have to do.
[breathing heavily]
[debris clattering]
[grunting, panting]
Where’s my horse?
[soldier]
Your horse?
[laughs]
I’ll show you your horse!
[both grunting]
[dramatic music]
[grunting]
Where’s my horse?
How many dead?
Many.
I saw Coltar crushed.
Dozens in the crowd.
My Lord! My Lord!
[Sonja] Get out!
[man 1] Guards.
Guards, help us!
Get out!
[man 2 gasps]
[man 1]
The emperor will punish you for this.
[man 3] Okay.
Okay, I’m leaving.
[man 4] Don’t hurt us.
Don’t hurt us!
[energy pulsating]
What power is this?
[horse whinnies]
Vihur.
[grunting]
[metal clanking]
Vihur, my friend.
Did they hurt you?
[gasping softly]
[Vihur snorts]
[Vihur grunts]
[somber orchestration]
[energy pulsating]
Stay here.
[Vihur sputters] I mean it.
[dramatic music]
[grunts]
[whooshing]
[Draygan]
The orb.
What, what has she done?
[Draygan]
No, no, no, no, no!
[Draygan groans]
[glass shattering]
[Draygan groaning]
[person coughing]
My Lord! Are you hurt?
[Draygan grunts] No!
[Draygan grunts]
[fire crackling]
[fire whooshing]
My lab.
Crudelis!
[pensive music]
This is her doing.
[Annisia]
She has not changed her plans.
She’s gone back to the forest to find her people.
I’ve sent scouts after her.
[Daix]
She’s not coming.
[sighs softly]
She said dawn.
She’s coming.
Good to stay optimistic.
No.
She’s coming.
[Vihur whinnying]
[heroic music]
[Osin]
Sonja!
So, you made it.
[Sonja]
Of course.
I said I was coming.
Huh.
Mount up!
We have a long way to go.
[intense music]
[horse whinnying]
[Hawk] Sonja. Ho. Ho.
[Sonja] Hold on.
Steady on! Steady on!
[man]
Settle down.
Osin.
What are you doing?
Sonja, my kingdom lies to the south.
Draygan left it in ruins.
He destroyed my cities, killed my people, and enslaved its prince.
But that prince is free now, thanks to you.
What? [chuckles] You actually are a prince?
Yes.
It’s the Crown Prince of Shem at your service.
Don’t expect me to bow.
[horse whinnying]
There’s no one here that should have to bow to anyone.
I thought we would fight together.
I’d love nothing more than to fight with you, Sonja, but I have a kingdom to rebuild.
And an army to gather.
Have no fear.
You will see me again.
I do not fear not seeing you, you arrogant buffoon.
You know what, Red?
You are quite the woman.
And you, Osin…
[grunts]
…are no longer untouched.
[chuckles]
Stay alive, Prince Osin of Shem.
One day I will claim my prize.
[chuckles]
[Osin] Hup!
[horse whinnies]
[man]
Hyah!
[men talking indistinctly]
All right. There you go.
[horse whinnying]
Are you excited?
To see my people again?
It is all I dreamed of.
For longer than I can say.
A lot has changed over the years.
It may not be what you remember.
I remember warm beds.
Good food.
Singing of songs.
And laughing.
Laughing. [chuckles] At least until High Priest Hespera would scare us to silence.
[chuckles] She still does.
Hespera is still alive?
Oh, yeah.
She’s older now, and wiser, but…
…she’s still fearsome to the little ones.
[tense music]
[horse snorts, whinnies]
[Damnati] Sonja.
[groans] Caught a scouting party following us.
[man 2] Where are the others?
[man 1] You don’t need to worry about them.
They’re feeding the crows.
I thought you might like to talk to this one, though.
[scout grunts]
Does Draygan know where we are?
[chuckles] Answer me.
You think you escaped?
He’s been following you since you left.
[Sonja]
How far behind?
One day. But not for long.
I don’t know why, but he wants you badly.
You know you’re all going to die, right?
You first.
[blade slices]
[scout grunts, chokes]
What do we do now?
We should make a stand. Here.
Not here.
Not on this open ground.
Daix, come with me.
[woman]
She’s right. A day is plenty of time to prepare.
Ride as fast as you can, to our people.
Warn them Draygan is coming.
What about…
It’s your dream to go home.
You heard the scout.
Draygan wants us to lead him there.
I cannot go home.
[Hyrkanian song]
[horse whinnies softly]
I’m sorry you won’t get home again.
[Hyrkanian song continues]
So, as I said, when we walk into this bloody thing…
Damnati…
…my friends…
…this is where we part.
What?
What do you mean?
Explain, Sonja.
I’m going to try and lead Draygan and his forces into the forest, but away from my people.
Then, in my own world, I will do what damage I can.
I cannot ask you to follow me as nothing but death awaits us.
Nothing but death awaits us all anyway.
It is the manner of death that counts.
And this is a good way to die.
Let’s fight.
Rebel warfare.
It’s my favorite kind.
Sonja, we are all at your side until this is over.
I know just where to start.
[breathing heavily]
Artran.
Well? Speak!
The Red Devil…
…she came back.
She came out of nowhere.
There was nothing we could have done.
They ambushed us.
And there were too many of them.
Karlak.
[sighs] Tell me…
…when will the rest of my army be here?
A day or two. No more.
A day or two?
[Annisia]
Our scouts in the forest are too few.
You must crush her before news spreads that a handful of Damnati stood against you.
Return her body for all in Mighthaven to see.
No one can know of your weakness.
My weakness? I am not weak!
I’m not the one who needs to drink constant potions to stop myself from tearing my mind apart!
Am I?
[breathes shakily]
Annisia. Annisia.
Hey there.
My Emperor.
Forgive me, I misspoke.
No. No, it’s fine. It’s…
Of course you are not weak.
This world is yours to rule.
Lady Annisia
[guard]
Emperor! It’s her! She’s here!
[Vihur grunting]
Keep sending scouts in the forest!
We want more sport!
Red Devil!
It just so happens that I have something for you too.
General Karlak, if you please.
[grunts]
[intense music]
[breathing shakily]
[owl hooting]
[woman]
Better get some rest.
More fighting tomorrow.
[laughter]
[suspenseful music]
I’d prefer it if you didn’t kill my friends.
You are Hyrkanian?
I am.
And you are the one they are calling Red Sonja.
Today was the day.
Sonja… this is…
[Sonja]
Hespera.
I remember you.
And I, you, daughter of Danara.
Your long exile is over.
Welcome home.
I was leading a scouting party.
We saw Daix taken, but we were too few to save him.
Draygan is coming to destroy the last Hyrkanians.
[Hespera]
No, Sonja.
Draygan…
…is after this.
[Sonja]
The other half.
How did Draygan get his half?
[Hespera]
The day Anzus attacked our village…
[horses whinnying]
…a terrified little boy fled into the temple and hid as our priest was trying to save the book. No!
[man] Give it to me!
[Hespera]
In the struggle, it was torn in two.
[priest]
No!
Please stop!
[man yells]
[grunts]
[body thuds] [Hespera] I saved one half, but fled before Anzus came to kill us all, not knowing I was leaving that frightened little boy behind. In the squalor of the slave beds… …the child must have turned his brilliant mind to unlocking the secrets of the book. Secrets that would lift him from slavery to become Draygan… [exhales] …is Hyrkanian?
[Hespera]
He cannot get the other half.
We must vanish even deeper into the forest.
[Sonja]
No.
Someone has to make a stand.
Or it won’t just be the Hyrkanians who suffer.
It will be every tribe, every people who defy him.
And right now, Draygan is more vulnerable and less defended than he ever will be.
It’s now or never.
Ready?
Let’s go.
[Karlak grunts]
[Sonja]
No, wait.
[grunts]
[dramatic music]
[men grunting]
Come on! Pull harder!
[chains clanking]
[horse whinnies]
[horse snorts]
Karlak, burn the forest down!
[Karlak]
Load the mortars!
Fire!
[dramatic music]
[whooshing, thudding] [Sonja grunts]
[people clamoring]
[people yelling]
[Karlak]
Eikosi, advance.
Good. Good.
Bring me her head and you will be my empress.
[horse snorts]
[unsettling music]
[men grunt]
[grunts]
[men grunting]
[screams]
[horse whinnies]
[all grunting]
[screams]
Now, this is a fight!
You’re enjoying this way too much!
[grunting]
[yells]
[grunting]
Over here! Follow me!
Lead them deeper into the trees!
[men shouting]
[grunting]
[dramatic music]
[horse snorts]
[voices whispering]
[voice 1]
Kill the Red Devil! [voice 2] Kill the Red Devil! [grunts]
[both grunting]
[dramatic music]
[Karlak]
Make peace with your gods, little man.
Your life is over.
Well, then I shall thank you, for I shall see my love all the sooner.
[both grunt]
[both grunting]
[Hawk yells] [both grunting]
[Karlak growls]
[Hawk groans]
[Karlak growls]
[both grunt]
[groans]
[squelching] [grunts]
[both grunt]
[both grunting]
[yells] [Sonja groans] [Sonja breathing shakily] [panting]
[squelching]
If I bring him your head, I will be Empress, and I will be free!
[Sonja grunts]
[breathing shakily]
[yells] [whinnying]
[Annisia grunts]
[pensive music]
[Vihur sniffing]
[Sonja groaning weakly]
[Vihur snorts]
[thunder rumbling]
[pensive music continues]
[Hyrkanian song]
[Asherah]
Sonja. Mother.
This is how you see me. I am everyone’s mother.
Am I dead?
Do you choose death?
Never.
I choose to fight for what I believe in.
If you lose, then Draygan and all his kind will turn the world to ash. The earth is bleeding, crying for help. Do you not see? I prayed to you my whole life and you did nothing!
I searched for my people.
It was never about you finding them. It was about you finding the strength to be who you are destined to be.
[song continues]
The fate of the world is in your hands. Let go of what you were and be reborn as what you can be.
[thunder rumbles]
[intense music]
The world needs you now more than ever.
[crow cawing]
[horse whinnying]
[metal clanking]
[Karlak coughs]
[metal clanking]
Uh, bring this one, please.
[solider grunts]
Get up!
[strains]
[people clamoring]
[soldier]
Come on!
[grunts]
[Draygan]
Hm.
[snickers]
[woman laughing in distance]
You know who I am?
[softly] Mm.
Dralagoon.
[both grunt] No. No.
That boy is dead.
Do you see?
He died by the sword of Anzus.
What is my name?
Draygan.
And I am your emperor, not some child who you taught to dance and sing, and your ludicrous barbarian nonsense.
I am not some child who you abandoned.
You were not abandoned.
Oh, yes.
Yes, he was. You left him.
You left him to die.
[crow cawing]
Why do you abandon children?
Say it. I want you to say it.
I abandon children.
I abandon children.
I abandon children. Say it.
Say it. Now.
I abandon children!
[whimpers] I abandon children!
I abandon children!
No!
I abandon children!
Say it for me!
Say it for me, now!
I… abandoned… children.
[pensive music]
[Karlak grunting softly]
[Draygan gasping]
You brought me this?
Oh.
You know what this means, don’t you?
[Draygan gasps softly]
It means the prophecy is true.
[laughing] Oh.
Thank you.
Commander Artran…
…kill her.
[Artran]
Kill a Holy Woman?
I, I don’t think I can.
Artran!
You are disloyal, and you will be dealt with.
All right, fine.
I’ll do it myself.
You deserve this.
[arrow swishing]
[grunts]
[screaming]
[heroic music]
You said she was dead!
I was sure.
[continues screaming]
Kill her!
[Osin] Charge!
[Osin]
Onward!
Protect your emperor!
[horse whinnying]
[screaming]
[Karlak grunts]
[both grunting]
[grunting]
[screaming]
[man yelling]
[rousing orchestral music]
[horse whinnying]
You’ve done something to your hair.
You left us.
Yes, but I came back with an army.
You did.
[Vihur whinnies]
I like it!
[horse whinnies] Hyah!
Explain it to me. How?
How is she still alive?
I drove my blade through her heart.
That normally works.
She has no heart. She’s a demon.
[people shouting]
[throat singing]
[soldiers grunting]
She’s up there!
She’s on the roof!
On the roof! There she is!
[grunts]
[soldier grunts]
[grunts]
[yells]
[grunts]
[Sonja yells]
[all grunting]
The other half seems to be about healing.
[Draygan]
Uh…
Ah.
Drugs and medicine?
What? What? What is this?
[all grunting]
[soldier yells, grunts]
[Draygan]
Balance in nature?
This is useless.
[yelling] [soldier screaming] My love, go. Go and fight her.
Go and fight her.
Go. Go and fight her.
Go and fight her.
Please, Annisia, go and fight her.
No!
You’re a coward.
[voice 1] Coward.
[voice 2] Coward.
[voice 3] You are a coward.
[breathing shakily]
[voice 4]
You deserve to die.
[voice 5]
You will never be Empress.
[voice 6]
Unless you protect him. Listen to your voices, Annisia.
They are right.
You are a coward.
And you’ll never be Empress unless you protect me.
There is no empire unless you protect me!
[all grunting]
You can hear them.
No, my queen, that[shouting] Can you hear them?
How?
How is that possible?
Because I put them there.
Why?
I didn’t want to share my throne.
[yells]
[soldier grunts]
The potion.
That’s why I hear them.
Did you ever care about me?
Annisia, I love you more than anyone else in the entire world.
But you and I, and even her, we’re all broken.
[stabs]
[Draygan screams]
[Draygan breathes shakily]
[groans]
[Annisia breathes shakily]
[rousing orchestral music]
[Annisia whimpering]
[Draygan groans]
[soldier grunts]
[Sonja grunts]
[gasping]
[coughing]
[clattering]
[mutters]
[Sonja grunts]
[Annisia whimpering]
The voices…
…they’re quiet.
[pensive music]
[crows cawing]
[horse snorts]
[groans]
[gasping]
[grunting]
[gasping]
[crows cawing]
[Vihur grunting]
[Vihur snorting]
[grunts]
[crow cawing]
This is…
[stuttering] meaningless…
…indeci… pherable.
[gasps softly]
You won’t need that.
I’m no match for you, Red Sonja.
And yet I still ruled the whole world.
The whole world.
This was my sword.
Do you see?
My weapon.
[chuckles]
This was my army.
It gave me everything. [gasps] And now…
…it offers me nothing.
Because it was never a weapon.
Its knowledge lifted you from slavery and gave you the power to turn this world into something wonderful.
But look what you did.
I made the world a better place.
You were a slave who allowed slavery.
You sent armies to destroy entire peoples.
Not destroy, to liberate from the old way of thinking.
You devoured resources with no limit.
You used and slaughtered animals.
WellYou murdered all who stood in your way.
One tyrant replaced another.
You’re just another Anzus!
And now you’re dying at the altar of a god you don’t believe in.
Your gods deserted me!
Wh-wh-when I needed them the most, when I was alone, where were they then?
You… were not the only one who was alone.
The day you were taken… I was there.
Y-you were there?
Yes.
I’m sorry.
[mutters]
You’re not sorry.
Why are you sorry? You, you’ve come here to kill me. You’ve won.
I came to kill Draygan.
But if I’d held on tighter to your hand, when you were a boy, back then… both our lives might have been different now.
[voices speaking faintly]
[pensive orchestration]
[breathing shakily]
[Hyrkanian song]
I, I, I think I’m, I think I’m dying.
Yes… you are.
I’m, I’m scared about what comes next.
[Draygan crying]
[breathing shakily]
There’s nothing to be scared of.
I’ve crossed over.
There’s peace ahead.
P-please d-don’t let me go this time.
[Draygan stuttering]
I won’t.
[Hyrkanian song]
Thank you.
[Vihur whinnying]
[Hyrkanian song]
[man]
Should have left him for the scavengers.
No. Take him home.
Bury him as a Hyrkanian.
[grunts]
He hasn’t earned that honor.
Not for the man.
But bury the boy he was, not the man he became.
[Hespera]
We will bury him as Hyrkanian.
May he find redemption in death.
When you return, you bury him.
I’m not going with you.
Why?
I lived in this forest my whole life, always searching for something I wasn’t sure was even there.
I hoped every day would be the day I found my people again.
I’ve had the day.
And now I know.
I want to see more of this world.
We want to see more of this world.
The homelands of Thrall and Savus.
Hawk once said the barbarian king of Cimmeria was a man worth meeting.
And maybe, who knows, maybe we’ll see a cyclops in the wild.
[chuckles softly]
Well, Red… whenever you’re ready to claim your prize, I’ll be waiting.
Don’t you have a kingdom to rebuild?
This world needs leadership.
Moral and just.
Be those things, Prince Osin.
[Hyrkanian song]
But you can be sure I’ll stop by.
I want to find out what the fuss is about.
[singing continues]
[Vihur whinnies]
[song continues]
[song fades]
[wind whooshing]
[people cheering, laughing]
Pay up! Let’s see your gold!
[people cheering]
[people chanting]
Blindfold! Blindfold!
Blindfold!
[all cheering]
[Osin]
Sonja!
[wind whistling]
[people whispering]
[foreboding music]
We need you.
[music intensifies]
[dramatic music]
[music fades]
[pensive music]
[music swells]
[dramatic music]
[foreboding music]
[music building]
[intense music]
[intense music continues]
[music fades]
[Hyrkanian song]
[song fades]
