

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
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.