Back in May, Nimona had been allegedly canceled by Disney. This was due to the production company Blue Sky Studios getting shut down in 2021, reportedly due to financial strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. But that wasn’t the only reason; Disney also faced significant pushback because Nimona featured a same-sex kiss and the LGBTQ+ themes were frowned upon.
Once Nimona had made it to Netflix, the LGBTQ+ community gathered in their masses to celebrate Netflix’s decision to take the project on. In the same vein, the same-sex kiss in question was allowed to air. In the movie, Ballister Boldheart develops a romance with his lover-turned-enemy-turned-lover Ambrosius, and the pair eventually become adoptive fathers to Nimona.
Right on the heels of Pride Month, the internet is in shambles over the kiss, as well as the openly gay relationship being portrayed.
Although Nimona isn’t only about Ballister and Ambrosius, the decision to give the two of them their own side plot couldn’t have paid off more for Netflix. In light of recent events, Nimona has risen from the ashes to turn hateful controversy into positive change, allowing for more and more queer content to arrive on our screens. Although Nimona herself is the star of the show, it’s infinitely important to portray a gay relationship, especially two males, in such a sensitive and respectful way.
Nimona is now streaming on Netflix.