The Queen of Villains Review: A Memorable and Emotional Experience

In this Netflix sports-drama series, we see the origin story of professional female wrestler Dump Matsumoto, whose dream of becoming a professional female wrestler as a good character is quickly quashed and she is fired from her job. With a tumultuous past, she decides to take up a negative character, which gives her the fame and recognition that she craved but underneath it all is a tender story of resilience and acceptance.

The series has 6 episodes, each with a runtime of 60+ minutes and is written by Osamu Suzuki and Junya Ikegami. It is based on the real-life story of wrestler Dump Matsumoto.

The Queen of Villains Review

Those of you who have watched some amount of wrestling in their lives will know that the sport is all about the spectacle. The winners are usually predetermined and the wrestlers are usually here to show the audience a good time filled with drama and a ton of fighting that leaves fans crazed. The Queen of Villains, however, is a story of women who are fighting to find peace and purpose in their lives, those who come from broken and poverty-stricken homes and try to make a name for themselves and follow their dreams in the process as well. As much as one would expect, the series is surprisingly not a showcase of women tearing down other women and there’s a charm and emotion to it from its first episode that sticks with you till the end of the runtime.

We love to follow Kaoru’s story and there isn’t a moment that you don’t feel emotional for her. Yuriyan Retriever plays her with a sense of realism and vulnerability that is hard to ignore and I found my eyes tearing up a few times watching her try so hard to live her life the way that she wants, leaving behind the burden of her past. You root for her from the moment you see her because the creators have made sure to show her as a sympathetic and sweet person who has just been given a pretty crappy hand at life.

The ring also symbolises the hope that these women feel that they don’t have in their personal lives. The empathetic and natural way in which these struggles are showcased and society’s unreasonable expectations for these women combine together to provide a very solid watch for viewers. You can’t help but root for the women to achieve their dreams and realise the potential that they have inside them.

Another part of the series is the predatory nature of the sport – it goes without saying that a bunch of old men watching young girls in swimsuits and eventually taking most of their money isn’t a good look. The series does a fantastic job of bringing that forward but in a subtle way, such that it leaves an impact on you. The struggle between these two groups of people is relatable and infuriating and one can’t help but be drawn to the fight because even though it’s a women’s wrestling show, the fight is clearly between the wrestlers and the society that wants to bleed them dry.

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But more than everything else, The Queen of Villains is absolutely thrilling. Apart from the heavy emotions that it contains, there’s a thrill that keeps viewers hooked on the runtime. The series flows beautifully, creating a magical viewing experience, especially when it comes to the human story. The fights are choreographed exceptionally well and flow so well that they almost feel real. The intensity with which the actors portray their roles is nothing short of excellent and will sway your emotions wildly.

Final Thoughts

The Queen of Villains isn’t just another sports drama – it showcases the hopes and aspirations of different women and how, in spite of fighting against each other, these women help each other out in every way possible. With a moving storyline, the series is a worthy watch, one that you will not be able to put down easily.

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