Plot: Three friends, Derek (Mason Gooding), Kevin (Algee Smith), and Tyon (Keith Powers), take a road trip that turns terrifying when they witness a murder in a gated community. Trapped inside, hunted by residents who blame them, their bond fractures as a charismatic yet sinister patriarch closes in.
The Underprivileged
This film draws parallels to “Slanted” in its exploration of how perception shapes reality and influences outcomes. It prompts us to reflect on the troubling frequency with which young Black men are unjustly scrutinized or accused simply for being present in affluent, predominantly white neighborhoods. This theme resonates deeply, highlighting a pervasive error in judgment that occurs both within the narrative of the film and in our everyday lives.
At its core, the film encapsulates the experiences of three young Black men who find themselves in a gated community, feeling alienated and out of place. They become unwilling witnesses to a brutal crime, and in their desperate search for help, they encounter a wall of indifference. Despite their pleas for assistance, the residents turn their backs on them, driven by ingrained biases and prejudices solely based on the color of their skin. This stark reality serves as a poignant commentary on societal attitudes and the often harsh consequences of misjudgment, making the film a powerful reflection on race, perception, and the urgent need for empathy and understanding in our communities.
Color
People often describe Black as the absence of color, but is it truly inappropriate to identify someone’s race as Black or African American? Is this a significant concern? Clearly, not all Americans perceive race in the same way. I find it uplifting when someone expresses that they do not see color; they see the individual instead. Such sentiments resonate deeply with me, as no one should be pigeonholed as white, Latino, or Black, nor should they make statements like, “We were afforded the same opportunities as you.” Such remarks can feel belittling and disrespectful.
In Memory of James Van der Beek
He did not know this would be his last film. Regardless of whether he had an inkling, it is unacceptable that this should be his final entertainment work, given the villainous role and racist personality he was forced to portray. While I appreciate his talents and contributions, particularly from his time on Dawson’s Creek, playing a racist pastor in this film does not represent the legacy I would want for him. If he were aware of his grave illness, he should have turned this role down. Acting is just that—acting—but if I had the chance to leave my mark on the world, I would choose a project that is positive and a true reflection of who I am.
I think I might go see this then. It’ll be my first time going to the movies by myself 🥴
Wow! Really?
I don’t want to wait…🎶 RIP JVdB, wished this was not his last film because he could’ve chosen a better character to play. Even the death scene could’ve better, but sometimes you gotta work with whatever scrypt you got, right?
I’ve seen these types of films before and didn’t see anything new brought to the table which made it the film meh and somewhat watchable. You’re right, it does draw parallels to Slanted but Hollywood have done these films before, so I don’t think it deserved to be released in the big screen. I do recall a comment from another forum the movie was bad but they stuck around because it had cars, guns, and chick(s) 😂.
Agree. Thanks for saying that and agreeing with me on the role that he played. It should have definitely skipped The Big Silver Screen!
Interesting review; I will want to see this even more!
Thanks—hope that you enjoy it. Well, it’s hard to love considering the racial injustices in it, but overall it displays a high level of awareness, as I wrote in my review.