Aleshea Harris, the playwright behind the impactful play “Is God Is,” initially found herself in search of something more profound when crafting her narrative. This play, which garnered attention off-Broadway in 2018, weaves an epic tale of Black female revenge that is influenced by Greek tragedy, mythology, and modern cinema, particularly spaghetti westerns and the works of Quentin Tarantino. Central to this story is a hero, but Harris soon realized that the narrative needed the dynamic of sisterhood, specifically through the lens of twin sisters.
Twins, Harris mused, inherently introduce intense drama through their similarities and differences. This creative decision became pivotal not only for the stage production but also for the film adaptation that Harris has both written and directed, emerging eight years later with equal intensity.
The characters Racine and Anaia are brought to life in this narrative. Racine, portrayed by two-time Tony winner Kara Young, exudes energy and aggression, while newcomer Mallori Johnson as Anaia presents a quieter, more thoughtful counterpart. At the age of 21, they share a life interwoven through physical and emotional bonds; they live together, dress alike, and communicate with a depth that sometimes transcends words, illustrated cleverly with subtitles in the film. Their connection is so deep that they can even synchronize their bodily functions.
However, their relationship is scarred by a traumatic past. Both twins bear the marks of a childhood fire set by their father in a malicious attempt to harm their mother. Racine's scars mar her arm and back, whereas Anaia’s facial scars have altered her public persona irreparably. The story unfolds with Racine recounting how she has avenged her sister's scars since their childhood, leading into the present where the twins receive an unexpected letter revealing that they have a mother who they believed perished in the fire.
The film introduces Mother—referred to by the twins as "God" and magnificently portrayed by Vivica A. Fox—who lies on her deathbed in the South, also marked by scars. She has one chilling request for her daughters: to seek vengeance on the man responsible for their pain, known only as "Man."
As they embark on their quest in a weathered Oldsmobile, tension arises between the sisters. Anaia expresses her discontent with their mission, while Racine is determined to follow through. A poignant moment arises when Anaia envisions a life free from her physical scars, prompting a deeper exploration of their identities.
The first leg of their journey leads them to a cult-like church, where they encounter a preacher and her son, followed by a lawyer who has physically lost his tongue due to Man’s atrocities. The twins grapple with their purpose as they confront the past. When they find Man, played chillingly by Sterling K. Brown, his presence encapsulates a blend of charisma and menace, particularly as he rationalizes his violent tendencies through a twisted perception of justified rage.
The film cleverly ties in universal themes, juxtaposing the personal and the profound. Men’s expectations, represented by Angie—a character played by Janelle Monáe—voicing her frustrations in a chaotic domestic setting, highlight societal norms that span across time and gender.
Ultimately, the themes of rage and vengeance culminate in a narrative that challenges traditional perceptions of female emotions, urging an understanding that women, especially Black women, possess a legitimate right to express anger without apologies. Harris does not shy away from showcasing the twins' tumultuous journey, ultimately portraying them as powerful figures reclaiming their narrative.
“Is God Is,” a release by Amazon MGM Studios, carries an R rating for its strong and bloody violence and language, with a runtime of 99 minutes, earning three out of four stars.
