"Is God Is" REVIEW

Published on 5/18/2026 

Written by: Braylon Mitchell 

Directed by: Aleshea Harris 

Cast: Kara Young, Mallori Johnson, Vivca A. Fox, Sterling K. Brown, Janelle Monae, Erika Alexander, etc. 

Plot: Two sisters embark on an epic quest for revenge; confronting a charged family history that will push them to extraordinary lengths. 

REVIEW 

I'm frustrated with my feelings on this film, specifically since it looks like I'm in the minority of being mixed on this film- most film critics are high on it (this is critically one of the highest rated of the year so far) and audiences are loving it, this is a certifiable crowdpleaser as well as a critical darling. For as much as there are parts of it that I really liked, even with giving myself a day to think it over more I remain confident in the gripes that I do have with this film. As a darkly comedic revenge thriller, first time director Aleshea Harris takes pride in exploding onto the scene with a bold burst of style and a keen sense of wanting to pull something off that is original. The Tarantino-ism influences that many have pointed out are indeed there, but I didn't think they overtook the overall sense of directorial freshness. For as fun as its flashes of energetic editing, split screens, humor, and rambunctiousness is- the heart of the film is the relationship between the twin sisters, their dynamic is interesting and explored with sincerity. What this film does get right, it gets very right but what it doesn't drags the film down quite a bit. After everything that is set up in the first act, the film rides a gradual slope downwards in quality of dimensional writing and believability. Movies are movies, they're not always supposed to be based in realism especially when the story doesn't exactly require or want it- but there comes a point where when I'm watching a plot unfold so messily where characters are making nonsensical decisions that I can't buy it. By its end, this film came across to me as one note- which was a bummer because dimensions to the typical "get revenge" plot are established earlier in the film and plenty of emotion is present, I just thought it didn't culminate together all that well. As a piece of entertainment and especially as a piece to display undeniable talent within a fully black cast & black director/writer, this film is worth your time- but when it came to its story, I was underwhelmed. 

THREE BEST ELEMENTS

• Mallori Johnson and Kara Young's performances. Playing the twin sisters, Johnson and Young knock it out of the park with wonderful performances. Both actresses are realized in their individual characters and grounded in the emotions that drive them separately, as well as nailing the bond and infecious enjoyment of this tight-knit twin sisterhood. They're awesome in these roles, breakthrough performances for sure and I'm exicted to see where their careers go from here. 

• The ensemble. There's not a bad performance in this film. The cast is stacked with talent- Vivca A. Fox, Sterling K. Brown, Erika Alexander, and many others give standout supporting performances. 

• The score. It's a very cool, energetic score. 

WORST ELEMENT 

• The screenplay. As the film goes on, its plot asks for a whole lot of disbelief to be suspended. Gradually every character makes pretty much nothing but stupid decision after stupid decision, which fuels the messiness of the film's third act in particular and falters in the film's initial bolt of originality by head first falling into woeful tropes that are tried to be sold as bold. 

RATING

6/10

I have my problems with it but you should check it out to form your own opinion, buddy!