“Is God Is” Is One HELL Of A Directorial Debut — But Is It Worth Watching? My Full Review

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So listen, I had the chance to attend an early screening of Is God Is, the directorial debut from playwright Aleshea Harris based on her award-winning play of the same name (thanks to Kaisha Huguley, who invited me to a screening she hosted here in NYC).

But I had NO IDEA it was also produced by Tessa Thompson until I googled the film! Why was that not in the film’s marketing? Someone, please explain!

Anywho … the film stars Kara Young (who I absolutely love), Janelle Monáe, Erika Alexander, Vivica A. Fox, and Sterling K. Brown, so OF COURSE I had to go see it!

Going into this one, I honestly didn’t know exactly what to expect — but between the cast and the premise, I was immediately intrigued. I was a bit worried, since the trailers looked a bit on the scary side, and I don’t do horror. Yes, I’m a scaredy cat, we should know this by now! But I had to show up to see if it was any good! These Black horror and thrillers have been some of my favorite films recently! And since I had to skip my screening of “The Mandalorian and Grogu” since I accidentally double-booked both screenings at the same time, I needed to know if the Is God Is movie was actually worth watching.

So, Is The Is God Is Movie Worth Watching?

Abso-fcking-lutely!

But there are a few things you should know beforehand. Especially if you’re a scaredy cat like moi.

First … here’s what Is God Is is actually about (no spoilers) …

In “Is God Is,” two twin sisters set out on a revenge-filled journey after reconnecting with their severely burned mother. As the sisters uncover painful truths tied to their past, the story spirals into a dark, emotional, and at times surreal exploration of trauma, identity, family, and justice.

The film excellently blends elements of thriller, dark comedy, and psychological drama in a way that feels intentionally theatrical while beautifully cinematic.

So, Here’s What Works

The cinematography is stunning …

This movie is visually gorgeous. From the framing to the lighting to the use of color and the way they flip to black-and-white for the storytelling moments! Every shot feels intentional. It’s honestly shocking how beautiful the film looks, considering how violent and emotionally heavy the story is.

The performances are also incredible …

Sterling K. Brown absolutely commits to being terrifying here. Minus that one moment, I can’t seem to get out of my brain. I’ll talk about that below. However, he plays evil well. His character is a father who walks around with this unsettling mix of manipulation, calmness, ego, and emotional immaturity that somehow makes him even scarier. The tension never leaves the room, even when he’s speaking softly.

Meanwhile, Kara Young completely steals the show — with her facial expressions alone. I absolutely love watching her on screen! And Janelle Monáe does a great job of being “the other wife”. (You’ll see!)

Surprisingly, this film balances humor and trauma well …

Yes, this movie is DARK! But there were moments when we laughed and screamed at the screen throughout because the dialogue felt incredibly human. Some of the funniest moments happen directly beside the most uncomfortable ones, which somehow works instead of feeling tonally messy.

And I LOVE how the twins felt like twins. Even with the stereotypical, says the same thing at the same time, can talk with their eyes, trope. The words on the screen made the viewing experience feel unique.

But my favorite thing about this film is that …

It explores domestic violence and narcissists without glorifying Black suffering.

Just like Nia DaCosta’s Candyman … Is God Is rarely forces its audience to sit directly inside its graphic violence. We’re made aware of the brutality without directly seeing it, and considering how often Black pain is overexposed onscreen, that restraint matters. A whole f*cking lot!

I’ve also seen some talk online about this film promoting “terrible Black dads,” but I think Is God Is does quite the opposite. Aleshea Harris does a great job of highlighting narcissism in our Black community. How a man can have three wives, each with their own “interpretation” of him, because he continues to trap them in his web of lies. How women condone, and continue to uplift terrible men, when they think “he’d only do that to her, it’ll never happen to me”. How we hide our abuse, instead of speaking on it, so that more people are AWARE of the monsters, and their wrongdoings!

Is God Is spotlights a very deep issue that I think we’ve only recently begun to talk about out in the open, now that millennials are no longer brushing abuse under the rug, and I’m here for it.

Now, the sound design and score will keep you on edge …

The music in this film is joyous (and Blackity Black), but the score is deeply unsettling in the very best way. Both the sound design and the score continuously drive the emotions, so much so that even when things are quiet, you find yourself on the very edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next.

And I love it (as much as it creeps me out).

Overall, Is God Is is an amazing Black thriller, and one HELL of a directorial debut!

Now … Here’s What Doesn’t Work

There’s a sound towards the end of the film that one of the characters (he who shall not be named) made … and honestly, it almost made me laugh, it was so terrible. I’m not sure if that moment was supposed to be comedic, but it threw me out of the moment for a few seconds.

Also, honestly, I didn’t feel “satisfied” at the end? I know revenge thrillers are supposed to make us feel like the violence was worth it … but something in that moment felt off? Or lacking? I’m not sure.

But maybe that’s the point!?

That even the audience begins to sympathize so that death still feels like the wrong answer?

So, should you watch Is God Is in theaters?

If you enjoy revenge thrillers, stage-play adaptations, or films that take creative risks, Is God Is may absolutely be worth checking out. It was an absolute pleasure to watch on screen!

Just know, it is a bit traumatic.

Escapism Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 out of 5 stars – for a solid Black thriller that keeps you on edge
Movie Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 out of 5 stars – because this a great movie, despite the trauma

Is the Is God Is movie scary?

So, Is God Is isn’t actually a horror film like I thought it would be, looking at the trailer, but it is deeply unsettling. The film contains psychological tension, violence, domestic abuse, emotional trauma, and several moments that keep you on edge throughout.

But the film doesn’t have a whole lot of “jump scares”; it’s more emotionally disturbing.

Trigger Warnings: Domestic violence, attempted murder, trauma, family abuse, abandonment, violence, blood, misogyny, emotional abuse, gaslighting, religion-based manipulation, graphic burn injuries, and death.

Final Thoughts: Yes, the Is God Is movie is totally worth watching!

Is God Is feels like the kind of film people will either deeply connect with or struggle to fully process — and honestly, that may be part of what makes it interesting. With strong performances, a unique voice behind the camera, and a story rooted in pain, revenge, and survival, the film delivers an experience that feels bold from beginning to end, and Aleshea Harris delivers an unforgettable directorial debut.

But baby, that ending?!!

I genuinely did not see that twist coming! And the way that moment snatched my soul out of my chest. Whew chile. Hold somebody’s hand, because man oh man did she go there.

Have you watched the Is God Is movie yet? Did you think Is God Is was worth watching? Let me know in the comments below.