The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster
Directed by Bomani J. Story
Vicaria is a brilliant teenager who believes death is a disease that can be cured. After the brutal murder of her brother, she embarks on a dangerous journey to bring him back to life.
Vicaria is curing death...by bringing the dead back to life.
Cast: Laya DeLeon Hayes, Denzel Whitaker, Chad L. Coleman, Reilly Brooke Stith, Keith Holliday, Amani Summer, Edem Atsu-Swanzy
Member Reviews
I loved this. The dad was heartbreaking and so sweet. I was surprised by how emotional it had me. Acting was so good.
This modern take on Frankenstein is plagued by ridiculous sociopolitical stereotypes. . . and here I was hoping that an all black horror film could actually concentrate on the film itself and not spewing the same old again.
The only information I had going into this movie was the high RT rating and the concept that it’s a modern retelling of Frankenstein. And honestly, that's a pretty spot-on description. It deals with racial issues and hate crimes and gang violence and also what being surrounded by death from such an early age could do to a precocious, highly intelligent mind. There was a good balance of character-building that didn't slow the plot down and also the characters were just realistic and often really fun. It hits all the major points of the Frankenstein story, but I feel like the ending really hits the viewer over the head with the point they've been making the entire movie, likening racism and the violence it creates to the idea of someone becoming a monster because society has labeled them as one. It gets a bit too tell-don't-show at times so I've gotta dock a point for that. And also when characters scream can we just not have it be so loud in the audio mix? I get it, she's screaming, I'd like to have functioning ears by the end of the movie, thanks.
I came into this thinking it was a comedy but it is not. . . it's dark, depressing and messed up but also absolutely gorgeous and well-done. It has some minor flaws but the story and the meanings behind it make these easy to ignore. Well worth the watch.
The writing has a the feel of "Now this happens, because it has to for the next thing to happen" without any natural progression. Some of the dialogue amongst the characters felt real but nothing in the plot felt earned. Worth a watch.