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Early Reviews Split on Aleshea Harris’s ‘Is God Is’ Ahead of May 15 Release

Early notices point to a bold debut whose style impresses even as some critics fault the pacing and dialogue.

Overview

  • Early reviews from outlets including TheWrap, Inverse, and FandomWire arrived as early access screenings begin ahead of the film’s May 15 U.S. theatrical opening from Orion Pictures.
  • The feature follows twin sisters sent by their ailing mother to hunt their abusive father, framing a revenge road trip with Blaxploitation flair, Greek tragedy echoes, and Southern Gothic mood.
  • Aleshea Harris adapts her 2018 play for her first feature, carrying over stage-born devices like on-screen text and stylized black-and-white memories to give the film a heightened, mythic feel.
  • Critics widely single out the cast, praising leads Kara Young and Mallori Johnson, with Sterling K. Brown noted for a menacing turn and Vivica A. Fox for a potent, scene-stealing appearance.
  • Reception diverges as TheWrap and Inverse laud a confident, exhilarating thriller, while FandomWire argues the screenplay lacks snap and the pacing drags, signaling a taste-driven audience response.