‘Is God Is’ Sparks Debate on Black Women’s Rage

A new film, “Is God Is,” has hit theaters, and it’s already igniting a firestorm of discussion on social media. Directed by Aleasha Harris and starring a powerhouse cast including Kara Young, Mallori Johnson, Janelle Monáe, Erika Alexander, Vivica A. Fox, and Sterling K. Brown, the movie centers on two sisters seeking revenge for their mother’s abuse. While the film aims to give a voice to Black women’s rage and trauma, its violent themes and portrayal of Black men have drawn mixed reactions.

A Narrative of Resistance

Harris explained that the story was born out of a personal need for a narrative where Black women fight back. “I need to have in the world a narrative in which a Black woman fights back, right, in which a Black woman’s rage and anger is given center stage and is no-holds-barred,” she told TheGrio. “That’s medicine to me.” The film’s tagline, “Make your daddy dead, real dead,” has particularly drawn criticism, but Harris emphasizes it’s not a literal instruction but a symbolic exploration of confronting deep-seated pain.

Actress Kara Young echoed this sentiment, viewing the film as a “righteous way for us to collectively be here together in all of our collective rage and joy, and the roots of the rage and the trauma to release.” The intention, she shared, is to show that Black women and girls deserve love and to be taken seriously.

Social Media’s Divided Response

The film’s portrayal of an abusive father, played by Sterling K. Brown, who set his wife on fire, has been particularly polarizing. Some social media users have taken issue with the representation of Black men, questioning if the film unfairly depicts them. One user tweeted, “I don’t think Black women would appreciate a film about young Black man trying to kill their mother and she was played by say Viola Davis.”

However, many others have pointed out the film’s unfortunate timeliness, given the recent headlines about Black women falling victim to domestic violence and the rising rates of femicide within Black communities. As one user noted, “Black people are not a monolith until its television and film and there’s a complex or inherently evil black character, then it’s ‘poor representation of us as a collective.’” This highlights a perceived double standard in how complex characters are received.

Reflecting Realities and Sparking Dialogue

The film’s stars hope that the layered storytelling will encourage audiences to engage in deeper conversations. Janelle Monáe described the movie as a “love letter to the complications of life and love, and our love letter to black women and girls.” Sterling K. Brown added that the film’s release coinciding with current events offers an opportunity to “enter into a conversation” and understand different perspectives, particularly between Black men and Black women.

Ultimately, “Is God Is” isn’t presented as a solution to societal problems but rather as a “salve” for deep wounds. It draws from real-life experiences, including the harrowing reality of femicide, and aims to prompt viewers to think differently and consider perspectives they might not have encountered before. As Harris put it, the hope is for a deeper understanding, not a quick fix.