In his Is God Is movie review, Kevin Bourne says that the film “pulls no punches” and is “twisted and unapologetically Black”.
Based on an award-winning play of the same name, Is God Is tells the story of twin sisters who go on a mission to find and seek revenge on their father (Sterling K. Brown) at the behest of their emotionally and physically scarred mother (Vivica A. Fox) as she lies on her death bed. Racine (The Rough One) can be seen as Malcolm X to Anaia (The Quiet One)‘s Martin Luther King Jr. as the two take two totally different approaches to the injustice they and their mother faced.
Aleshea Harris, who makes an impressive directorial debut with the film and also wrote the screenplay, has a point of view and something to say. There are feminist themes throughout the film as strong Black female characters take the lead, while other’s, bound by religion or unempowered housewives, are depicted as weak or in need of saving.
Whether with a pen or a camera, Harris shows herself to be an excellent storyteller. If you’re talking about the technical and creative elements of filmmaking, this is a filmmaker’s film. It comes across as the work of someone who is a student and respecter of the craft. While the tone is angry yet comedic as the twins seek vigilante justice in the name of their mother, it doesn’t glorify anger. It’s a cautionary tale that if left unchecked, our anger and desire for vengeance can consume us in the process. Fortunately, in the midst of the gore is a brief yet beautiful and satisfying coming-of-age story as one of the principal characters blossoms and comes into their own for the first time in their lives.
The film also boasts great casting and exceptional performances from our ensemble cast. Alongside Sterling K. Brown, who is convincing as their villain father, Kara Young and Mallari Johnson are believable as the twin sisters who couldn’t be more different despite being able to communicate without saying a word. While Erika Alexander and Janelle Monáe shine in their respective supporting roles, as to be expected from their previous work, Vivica A. Fox, who has appeared in everything from The Young & The Restless to Christmas movies in recent years, reminds us that she’s a capable Hollywood actress who has appeared in major films like Independence Day and Kill Bill: Vol. 1.
Overall, Is God Is is not for the faint of hard. It’s a highly emotional watch that doesn’t pull any punches. It’s raw in a way that may be refreshing to some and off-putting to others. While there are some entertaining moments with its dark humor and dialogue, and the film is well-shot, the film is not exactly about entertainment. There’s a shock value to this film reminiscent of Swarm starring Dominique Fishback. This style of film is an acquired taste with a lot to process and unpack. There are many moments when it feels like a commentary on the Black community as Harris puts a mirror to our faces, showing us the good, the bad, the ugly, and the comical about our culture. But while the story is twisted and unapologetically Black, from the costume design to the dialogue, there’s enough of an underlying universal story and visual appeal to make it a worthwhile watch for wider audiences.
Is God Is debuts in theaters everywhere on May 15, 2026.
Kevin Bourne is SHIFTER’s editor-in-chief and Senior Arts & Entertainment Reporter focusing on film & TV, music, and fashion. He was named one of 340 international voters for the Golden Globe Awards and a Tomatometer-Approved Critic by Rotten Tomatoes.
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