It’s been 20 years since Milla Jovovich was crowned “Queen of Kick Butt” and, as her latest action-packed “Protector” shows, she is still kicking with an ferocity that can’t be matched.

As Nikki, a veteran killing machine, Jovovich is one mother not to be messed with. Especially when you’ve made the mistake of kidnapping her daughter Chloe in order to traffic her for sex.

Isn’t “Protector” a gender-switched “Taken”?

“Definitely, any revenge film,” she said in a Zoom interview, “where you’re going after the people that kidnapped your child, has similarities with ‘Taken.’

“But this was also a real trajectory for me, the first time I took on the role of the producer. I was able to do a lot of writing on it, helped score and edited.”

The stakes couldn’t be higher. “It’s every parent’s worst nightmare, for sure. I took all the dark thoughts that have kept me up at night — you know, ‘If anything happened to my kid, what would I do?’

“In my mind, what I think I’d do — because I’m not a soldier but I play one – would be to have these fantasies to catch the person and take that aggression and darkness out into something creative and expressive. Satisfying not only for me but for an audience as well.”

Jovovich, 50, has been an action icon since 1997’s “The Fifth Element.” As the stalwart savior in the billion-dollar grossing “Resident Evil” franchise she exudes authenticity. How’s that been?

“For sure, this was one of the most physically challenging roles I’ve ever taken on. Obviously, the action is off-the-charts incredible. You’re going to be at the edge of your seat if you like action films.

“But personally, I share the spotlight with my stunt doubles. Much more than I did when I was younger.

“Because we had so much to shoot in such a little amount of time, it was impossible for me to do everything. But if you can see my face, it’s me.

“And what I loved was: No special effects. I’m doing the stunts — I was hanging off the edge of the car. I was hanging upside down most of the night, shooting that sequence where I’m captured.

“Doing stunts for 30 years you take an injury here, there. Then you get older, especially after having my third baby, and suddenly you do one thing and boom! Your back’s out. Then whoa! My shoulder just went and now it’s going down to my knee.

“All those little microaggressions you didn’t think anything of when you were younger come to bite you in the butt later on,” she said.

But she still kicks it.

“Protector” opens Friday

D.B. Sweeney, left, and Matthew Modine in a scene from “Protector.” (Photo Magenta Light)