Playwright and Pulitzer Prize finalist Aleshea Harris makes her feature film debut with Is God Is, a jarring and intense tale of siblings tasked with revenge.

Is God Is Movie Review

A Lauded Playwright Becomes a Vital New Filmmaker

Is God Is, which Harris adapted from her own play, follows a pair of twin sisters bonded by blood — and trauma. When they were very young, their abusive father attempted to murder their mother, leaving both sisters with disfiguring burn scars; they were raised in foster care, believing their mother had died in the attack. In the present day, they’ve learned their mother is alive — and she has a deadly mission for them.

Harris approaches the film with both practiced pacing and a rookie’s daring. In its structure, characterization and pace, her script is a marvel; this is a tale with intimate stakes and epic sweep. In her approach, however, she is unafraid to be bold. The twins communicate to one another with looks and gestures that are transcribed on screen like living subtitles. Dialogue flows into narration, soliloquy and aside with a poet’s grace. Shots are composed with immediacy and suspense.

Is God Is announces Harris as an important filmmaker — one who will undoubtedly make more excellent films in the years to come.

A Violent, But Immensely Satisfying, Tale

I do not, however, mean that this film is a warm-up. It is a powerful, if grim, achievement of its own — and it is packed with fantastic performances.

Kara Young, who plays more talkative twin Racine — billed in the credits as Racine the Rough One — is one of Broadway’s most decorated stars, a two-time Tony winner. She’s not new to the screen, having appeared in a number of well-received (if little seen) independent productions, but Is God Is serves as an emphatic announcement of her power. Mallori Johnson — playing the other twin, Anaia the Quiet One — says as much with silence and uncertainty as Young does with bravado.

They’re buoyed by an all-star supporting cast, including Vivica A. Fox, Janelle Monáe and Sterling K. Brown; the latter plays the twins’ sinister father, named only as The Monster. He turns his charming persona into a manifestation of evil with little more than a slow delivery and an unsettling stare.

The experience of watching Is God Is will be jarring to some viewers; it’s violent, unflinching and bold. In its wake, however, you’ll know you’ve experienced an important film. Expect it to linger; expect Harris to make masterpieces.

Another Comedy Icon Gets a Documentary and More New Films This Week

Martin Short becomes the latest comedy star to receive the streaming-documentary treatment in Marty: Life is Short, premiering on Netflix. Short’s friend Lawrence Kasdan directs the film, which delivers the familiar beats of a friendly biography: interviews about Short’s life and career, testimonials from famous friends, and clips from his most iconic performances. This material is fine, if unremarkable; the film shines, however, when it shows Short’s home movies. A lover of camcorders, Short captured his family and all-star buddies in unscripted moments for decades. You’ll wish that this material made up more of the film; a hilarious and touching twist on Grey Gardens-style filmmaking would’ve been delightful. As it is, Life is Short is a pleasant diversion with some great footage buried within.

Obsession — Be Careful What You Wish For

A classic be-careful-what-you-wish-for tale gets a modern update in Obsession, also new this week. A lovelorn young man longs for his childhood crush to obsess over him. After some metaphysical chicanery grants his wish, her fixation spirals into something terrifying. Director Curry Barker isn’t exactly a newbie. The sketch-comedy veteran also made the feature Milk & Serial on a budget of just $800, but this marks the first time he has worked with a significant budget.

The 40th anniversary screenings of Top Gun continue through this weekend. Audiences still seem to crave the need for speed, so theaters have paired some showings with screenings of the long-awaited sequel Top Gun: Maverick.(Don’t tell anyone with a strong nostalgia drive, but the latter film is much better.)

Speaking of anniversaries: We regret to inform you that it’s the 25th anniversary of Shrek. Not out of an objection to Shrek per se, that’s just a crippling reminder of the passage of time. See the ogre as well as his donkey friend back on the big screen this weekend at select multiplexes.

Story by Sean Collier
Featured Photo Courtesy of Patti Perrit / Amazon Content Services

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine’s print edition.