Is God Is
review by Bobby Blakey
Nothing is better than a good revenge flick, but when add some style and creativity it can elevate it to something fresh and new. The trailer for IS God Is looked to be trying just that. The film stars Kara Young, Mallori Johnson, Vivica A. Fox, Sterling K. Brown, Janelle Monáe, Mykelti Williamson, Erika Alexander, Xavier Mills, and Justen Ross from director Aleshea Harris, but does it take us on a journey worthy of revenge, or will it fail to hold a bond?
Is God Is follows twin sisters with disfiguring burn scars who have their world upended when the mother, they'd believed dead reveals their father is responsible. When she orders them to kill him for what he did, they must decide whether to seek vengeance or find mercy.
Outside of the first trailer I haven’t seen much about this film so went in mostly blind and glad I did. The story is based on the off-Broadway play that director Harris also wrote and takes on what could have been some uneven elements blending so many topics, but she manages to structure it to perfection. The film focuses on the sister’s bond, but is also layered with topics including abuse, bullying, religion and almost anything else you can think of.
The film is heavy in the story elements and abuse the sisters and other characters have endured so can get dark, yet Harris has found a way to inject some elements of dark humor here as well that keeps it from getting too bogged down on the heft until it’s necessary. It never waters any of it down but instead makes it feel like a journey through emotions while taking the journey on the road with the sisters in their quest for revenge.
There are numerous strange and quirky moments, but they stand out to create
a compelling direction to their quest while keeping you guessing how it is all going to play out. The cast are all great with the bond of the sisters played by Kara Young and Mallori Johnson holding it all together. They are great together at every turn from their love for each other to their own fights, you never stop believing in their connection that is deeper than just being sisters.
The supporting cast each bring their own interesting and often insane personas to their roles with Sterling K. Brown being the most sinister of them all. He is always great, but here there is a subtle calmness to his rage and evil that keeps you wondering if what you think you know is right or does he deserve to die. There were so many more layers here than I expected, but also a film that might not work for everyone in both tone and subject matter.
This is one of those rare films that brings something fresh to a familiar genre in a way that smashes you in the face at every turn in its message and direction. The creative direction to the editing, camera work and montages makes it feel like something you have seen before while never seeing it as well. I am interested to see what else Harris can bring to the stage and screen as this film shows something special that needs to be further explored in her work.
Decide for yourself and check out Is God Is when it hits Blu-ray and DVD on July 28th from MGM and Alliance Entertainment.