We need more original movies, especially by women and racially diverse filmmakers. Therefore, I make it a priority to watch and support these films when possible, and this is one reason I was happy to check out Is God Is, a new movie by a woman director I was looking forward to. Is God Is is a revenge thriller and female-rage movie told through the lens of a quest movie.
Racine (Kara Young) and Anaia (Mallori Johnson) want revenge for their mother and themselves. They want to kill their father, but must meet several characters before they can accomplish this task. It plays out like a fable. That’s one of the most interesting aspects of Is God Is, and another is the antagonist.
Warning: Is God Is spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.
Is God Is’s Villain Is One Of The Most Fascinating Parts Because He’s So Terrifying In Small And Big Ways
Sterling K. Brown continues to prove that he’s one of the greatest actors of our generation. He is terrifying as Racine and Anaia’s father. He only appears in the movie a few times, but that’s enough to convey his monstrosity. The whole movie builds up to the confrontation between him and his daughters.
When that moment finally happens, it doesn’t disappoint. Is God Is is another fantastic performance by Brown because he’s allowed to show how scary he is in various ways. Anaia knows how evil her father is, but he still manages to briefly give her a false sense of hope that she doesn’t have to kill him. His charisma is his big strength and a small way in which he’s a monster. The big ways are in his devilish acts.
His Three Wives Are Different But All Drawn To His Fire
We learn that Sterling K. Brown’s character has been married three times. They each represent a different level of class status, power, and influence. It’s scary to see how he upgrades his wives because you know he’s becoming more powerful with each marriage. They also show how all these women and children have been victims of him in some ways.
It’s also commentary on how women fall for bad men. All these women have seen his dark side but either stay with him or choose to believe he’s still a good man. It’s a sad reality for so many women, and it’s powerful to show three different women fall for the same bad guy. This is a powerful statement that abuse can happen to anyone; social status doesn’t change that.
He Loses But Manages To Win Still
Is God Is isn’t another movie with a wild ending, but one with a somber ending. Racine and Anaia complete their vengeful mission, but it ends with Racine also dying. It fully embraces the concept of “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” The idea is that revenge can only end in two deaths. The person against whom the revenge is sought, and the person who is seeking revenge.
They may not physically die, but they kill a part of themselves to achieve revenge. Is God Is kills Racine along with her father, but she loses herself long before her death. That’s why she must die. It allows Anaia freedom but also leaves her alone in the world. Her baby symbolizes hope for the future, but it’s still a tragic ending.
Is God Is proves that Sterling K. Brown needs to play more roles unlike his norm.
