She is the benevolence of Racine’s rage, and oftentimes questions God’s instructions as a means to take a lighter path, which unfortunately won’t exist until the catalyst of her trauma is eradicated. 

The performances from the remaining cast are beautifully woven into the narrative as an intricate piece of the makeup of Racine and Anaia’s father. Vivica A. Fox’s portrayal of God looms over the film as she narrates the story and all of its complexities. Erika Alexander steals her moment on screen as a religious seller devoted to the man above and the one from her past. Janelle Monae graces the screen as an oblivious wife seeking refuge from her marriage, which has triggered her unique sensibilities. Most importantly, Sterling K. Brown’s portrayal as Racine and Anaia’s father is sight unseen as he is menacing as a fox or even worse, a venomous snake. Brown’s on-screen performance is nerve-wracking due to his ability to seep into the heartstrings of those closest to him just to trap them in his web of animosity and kill them. 

Sins of the Father

Is God Is is an atmospheric experience that taps into its spiritual intuition, showcasing the best in its cinematography and production design. There are moments of deep narration, and in these glimpses into the past, showcased through old-school film, the past is essentially painted as the beginning of darkness. Those specific moments lend themselves to the spiritually traumatic experience that the girls grapple with alongside those who were also caught in the crossfire with their father’s distasteful behavior. As the girls fall deeper into their journey, the South becomes even more alive not only as a backdrop to where they are headed, but also as paramount to their being. The South is seen as a place that is supposed to feel like home, but can feel more rancorous and self-deprecating. As the girls learn this, the further they get, the more they begin to test each other, and it is beautifully contentious. As soon as these moments occur, something even more mentally taxing challenges their bond for the better. 

One thing that could be detailed from the film is not only the lighting but, most importantly, the color palette. Every time there was a display of white, it showed that there was a level of delusion or a sense of undying loyalty to a false prophet. Unfortunately, in these moments, it is formative, which is also a truth that comes with religion and patriarchal norms in the South. It is easy to spot when paying close attention to detail. And in other moments of the film, there are displays of a muddy brown color palette, which signifies the veracity of one’s Faith at the hands of the twins’ father, to a degree. Those who display that level of knowledge know that there is no freedom as long as he’s gracing his presence on Earth. In these moments, those who understand what it means for him to be alive know the damage and further mental anguish he can and will continually release. The white versus the muddy tones suggest that those who use a lot of white are saved, while those with a muddier or grittier background are filthy rags with no sign of redemption. 

A Prophetic Finale

Is God Is is an exceptionally original adaptation for the screen as the directorial debut of Aleshea Harris. The film is a Southern Gothic odyssey that works because it delves into emotional and physical experiences and confronts the fear that has plagued those most hurt by responding to their calling. The performances are intellectually strong, with Erika Alexander remaining the highlight, and Kara Young and Sterling K. Brown giving the most revered performances.

Watch Is God Is in theaters now!