Zoë Rose Bryant’s review published on Letterboxd:
at one point when pitching her thesis, author isabel wilkerson (the towering aunjanue ellis-taylor) says “i want to be in the story, really inside the story.” over the next two hours, she makes her wish a reality, traveling the world to explore the cruelty of caste throughout time and taking us with her every step of the way. i’ve never seen an approach to adaptation like this - one that’s so subversive yet still so deeply affecting - but then again, i don’t think i’ve ever seen a movie quite like this either. it, and the urgent truths in wilkerson’s thesis, must be seen to be believed.
not only a history lesson of histories hidden from the masses for far too long, but also a life-affirming reminder that progress - both personally and politically - is always possible when we acknowledge and accept the pains and perils of our past instead of ignoring them. we didn’t make this mess, but we inherited it, and now, the future is in our hands. thus far, we have been the architects of our own demise. but the energy devoted to destroying is the same energy required for revolution.
we just have to redirect it.
