The Stream: A tough subject matter makes the mix of tones confusing.

The Big Screen: Aleshea Harris’s fresh voice in cinema.

The Final Bill: A creative and novel approach to the revenge flick overflows with strong performances and surprising moments.

– Trip Fontaine
Director: Aleshea Harris
Writers: Aleshea Harris
Stars: Kara Young, Mallori Johnson, Vivica A. Fox, Mykelti Williamson, Erika Alexander, Janelle Monáe, Sterling K. Brown
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Rating: R for strong/bloody violence and language
Runtime: 1 hour 34 minutes
Production Companies: Amazon MGM Studios, CYRK, Linden Entertainment, Orion Pictures, Viva Maude
Platform: In theaters May 15, 2026
Notable Trailers: The Odyssey, Wild Horse Nine, Masters of the Universe, Pressure, Evil Dead Burn, Tony, Verity

Alright, Streamers! As the summer movie season progresses, we will be pleading for some original content. Hopefully, this weekend’s release, Is God Is, will tide us over for a while.  Is God Is is an adaptation of the writer/director, Aleshea Harris’ play, that follows twin sisters, Racine (Kara Young) and Anaia (Mallori Johnson), on their journey to locate and kill their abusive father. Pain, joy, and bloody vengeance hijinks ensue.

Is God Is is Aleshea Harris’ feature film debut as a director. She clearly has a lot of talent and a strong point of view. This film is a clever piece of work about a difficult topic. As revenge fantasies go, Is God Is follows much of the same trajectory as similar plots; but, in her direction and script, Harris has added unique flourishes that enhance the storytelling and make it memorable. The film has a unique aesthetic and music which sets it apart. It has a 1970s feels while also being contemporary and pulls references from many movie genres, but it never feels derivative. There are flashbacks that are used to good effect that bring relationships to life and elevate the story of these sisters. The editing keeps the film moving from one segment to the next. It is a very propulsive film that has a surprising amount of humor considering the trauma at the center of the plot. As a result, you’ll remain on the edge of your seat as these sisters careen towards the inevitable confrontation with their father.

The cast is fantastic, particularly, Kara Young. She really jumps off the screen. She’s got a magnetic fire to her that’s not just the character. Additionally, Mykelti Williamson and Erika Alexander make the most of their brief performances on screen. Plus, Vivica A. Fox is memorable as the twins’ mother.

My issues with Is God Is stem from the mish-mash of tones. It is confusing about whether this is an action-comedy or a Southern Gothic drama or a fantastical horror film. It feels a little all over the place because there is slapstick comedy, bloody violence, and a very serious subject matter as the driving force of the film. This movie isn’t difficult to enjoy per se despite the fact that it is produced with great care and thought. It is a marvel of creative filmmaking even though it can be ultimately heartbreaking.

Ultimately, Is God Is is exactly what we need in original content in the summer movie season. It is a clever twist on the revenge fantasy genre. The heavy subject matter makes the mix of tones confusing, which could be off-putting to some audience members. The cast is great with special shout outs to Kara Young, Mykelti Williamson and Erika Alexander. Grab a bowl of popcorn, a fan and some lemonade and head to a matinee.