Damsel’s Alternate Ending Would Have Done Justice To Elodie & Her Original Plan

Damsel sees Elodie (Millie Bobby Brown) go from a princess in danger to a warrior, and though she got a satisfying ending, the movie’s alternate ending would have been a lot more fitting to her character and her original plan. Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, Netflix’s Damsel takes the audience to a medieval fantasy world with dragons and other interesting creatures. Damsel introduces Elodie, the daughter of Lord Bayford (Ray Winstone), whose land is facing poverty as they struggle to get food and more. To help their land, Bayford makes a deal with Queen Isabelle of Aurea (Robin Wright).

The deal between Bayford and Queen Isabelle would see Elodie marrying her son, Prince Henry (Nick Robinson), in exchange for large amounts of gold, with which Bayford would be able to help his people. However, the deal comes with a horrifying twist, as it includes Elodie’s sacrifice to a dragon as part of a years-long deal the royals of Aurea had with the dragon. What follows are Elodie’s efforts to survive and return to her family, and though she gets a satisfying and happy ending, Damsel’s alternate ending would have been a lot more fitting and would have fulfilled Elodie’s original desires.

Damsel’s Alternate Ending Saw Elodie Leaving Floria & Lady Bayford

It’s not uncommon for filmmakers to write and shoot more than one ending for their movies, and Damsel is now part of this. Speaking to The Direct, Brooke Carter, who plays Elodie’s younger sister, Floria, revealed that an alternate ending was shot, and it would have completely changed Elodie’s story. Carter shared that Damsel’s alternate ending saw Elodie leaving, and that she felt it would be great if this ending was released as it could “start a whole different vibe” about what’s next for Elodie and the world of Damsel. Carter added that there were a lot of changes to the script, and that the ending went through the most changes.

At the end of Damsel, Elodie and Floria make it out of the cave after Elodie explains what truly happened to the dragon. Knowing the truth and how they had been tricked by the royals of Aurea helps Elodie and the dragon bond, and they join forces to get their revenge against Queen Isabelle and her kingdom. After the dragon burns the palace with the Aurean royals and nobles inside, Elodie leaves with Floria and their stepmother, Lady Bayford (Angela Bassett), and they sail home, loaded with supplies and accompanied by the dragon.

Damsel’s Alternate Ending Would Have Fitted Elodie Much Better

Damsel gives Elodie a satisfying ending as she makes it out of the cave alive and gets enough supplies for her people, but it doesn’t really fit her character. When her father told her he had made a deal with Queen Aurea for her to marry Prince Henry, Elodie was quick to say she didn’t want to get married, and, instead, she wished to travel the world. This desire even helped her bond with Henry, so it doesn’t seem fitting that, at the end of Damsel, once free of commitment and with her people’s well-being ensured, Elodie didn’t carry on with her plans of traveling the world.

Damsel’s alternate ending would have been a lot more fitting as it would have allowed Elodie to follow her dream and see the world. Damsel’s alternate ending would have also made way for a sequel and a proper expansion of this universe, while the one that made it to the final cut doesn’t leave much to explore. It’s unlikely that Damsel’s alternate ending will be released at some point, but it would have been a better choice for Elodie and the movie, in general.