The tyrant Gedren seeks the total power in a world of barbarism. She raids the city Hablac and kills the keeper of a talisman that gives her great power. Red Sonja, sister of the keeper, sets out with her magic sword to overthrow Gedren.
Practical Effects
Giant mechanical spider that moves like a Roomba.
Costume
Chainmail bikini: impractical, iconic, thermally concerning.
Director
Richard Fleischer
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Kalidor
Brigitte Nielsen
Red Sonja
Sandahl Bergman
Queen Gedren
Paul L. Smith
Falkon
Ernie Reyes Jr.
Prince Tarn
Ronald Lacey
Ikol
Pat Roach
Brytag
Janet Ågren
Varna
Donna Osterbuhr
Kendra, the High Priestess
Lara Lamberti
Gedren's Handmaid
Hans Meyer
Red Sonja's Father
Francesca Romana Coluzzi
Red Sonja's Mother
Stefano Maria Mioni
Barlok, Red Sonja's Brother
Tutte Lemkow
Wizard
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Robert E. Howard created Red Sonja, but this film shares zero DNA with his canon — it's pure 80s Hollywood invention. The mechanical spider was recycled from a failed Conan sequel pitch.
Brigitte Nielsen's Red Sonja became unintentional queer iconography despite the film's male gaze — the character outlived this disaster through comics and fandom reclamation.
US
