Is God Is is full of amazing performances, great direction, and enthralling storytelling. They journey certainly becomes unexpected, with a fresh and bold approach to the revenge film trope.
“Twin sisters with disfiguring burn scars have their world upended when the mother they’d believed long dead summons them to her bedside and reveals their father is responsible for her bedridden state as well as the twins’ scars. When she orders the girls to kill their father for what he has done, the sisters must decide whether to seek vengeance or find mercy.”
Aleshea Harris makes a striking feature directorial debut with Is God Is, adapting her own acclaimed play into a bold, mythic Southern Gothic revenge thriller. Harris, a celebrated playwright whose stage work has earned major awards and critical praise, brings a distinctive voice to film, one that blends dark comedy, brutal violence, and philosophical undertones about family, trauma, and identity. Her direction allows her play to evolve in different ways, with stylized framing, a uniqueness to the unspoken exchanges between twins, and deeper understandings of characters that isn’t possible to show on stage.
The acting across the board is excellent. Kara Young delivers polarizing performance as Racine, the outspoken and aggressive twin. Young brings raw intensity and sharp wit that make Racine both terrifying and deeply human. Mallori Johnson is equally compelling as the quieter, more introspective Anaia. Together they create a fascinating sister dynamic: two women bound by trauma yet walking very different emotional paths as they pursue the same violent goal. Their chemistry is one of the film’s greatest strengths, and the diverging paths they take during the journey make it all the more humanizing.
Sterling K. Brown is outstanding in a stark contrast to the warm, empathetic father figures he’s best known for in This Is Us. Here he brings a chilling, layered menace to his role. His face is obscured the majority of the film, further adding to the building tension and dread that this man could be something far more dangerous. The supporting cast, including Vivica A. Fox as the mother and Janelle Monáe in a memorable sequence, rounds out a uniformly strong ensemble.
The story itself is a compelling tale of revenge that sends these twins down parallel but very different paths. One leans into rage and action while the other wrestles with doubt and morality, creating tension not just with their targets but within their own bond. It’s a journey that explores cycles of violence, the weight of family legacy, and the question of whether vengeance can ever bring peace.
Video
The Blu-ray presents the film in 1080p High-Definition widescreen 2.39:1. The picture is crisp and clear, with bold and rich colors that enhances the dusty Southern landscapes and stark interiors. Detail is solid in close-ups and textures, with good contrast that serves the film’s moody, stylized look.
Audio
Audio comes in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, delivering clear dialogue and an immersive mix that lets the score and ambient sounds create atmosphere without overpowering the performances.
Special Features
The film comes with a slip cover, but that’s the extent of anything bonus you get with this release. No digital code, no extras are included.
Is God Is isn’t a typical revenge film. This directorial debut from Aleshea Harris offers distinctive and brutal storytelling, offering a mix of emotions as you join these characters down a dark path, each dealing with it in their own way. This one comes out 7/28 and is well worth picking up.