‘Is God Is’ Stars Kara Young & Mallori Johnson on Sisterhood & Fire

Get ready for a powerful cinematic experience! The highly anticipated film adaptation of Aleshea Harris’s play, ‘Is God Is,’ is hitting theaters today, and it stars rising talents Kara Young and Mallori Johnson as twin sisters on a mission of revenge. BOSSIP sat down with the actresses to discuss their intense preparation, the deep bond they formed, and the profound symbolism within the film.

Forging Sisterhood Through Trauma

In ‘Is God Is,’ Young and Johnson play Racine and Anaia, twins who have been deeply scarred by a childhood fire set by their abusive father, known only as ‘The Monster’ (played by Sterling K. Brown). After discovering their mother (Vivica A. Fox) is still alive, they embark on a violent quest for vengeance. Young, an award-winning stage actress, portrays the more aggressive Racine, while Johnson, known for her breakout role in ‘Kindred,’ embodies the quieter, more introspective Anaia.

The chemistry between the two actresses is a standout element of the film. Young shared that a significant part of their preparation involved building the characters’ shared history together with the director, Aleshea Harris. “A lot of preparation goes into it and also a knowing of what your instrument can do and where it can go. And also a lot of building the history of your character,” Young explained. “The fortunate part was that we got to build a lot of our history together with Aleshea and that was incredibly special.”

The Burning Symbolism of Fire

Fire plays a central and potent role in the film, symbolizing not just the trauma the sisters endured but also their simmering rage. Johnson elaborated on its significance, stating, “Oh my God, it’s everything. It really is the core symbolism that I think Aleshea is trying to get across of how…how…Black women, I’m gonna say Black women’s rage burns and embers and is tampered out and stomped out but also raised again…”

This powerful symbolism underscores the film’s exploration of trauma, loyalty, and the enduring strength found in sisterhood, particularly within the context of Black women’s experiences. The intense preparation and the actresses’ commitment to embodying these complex characters promise a compelling and thought-provoking film.