Aleshea Harris: Crafting Cinematic Revenge

Playwright Aleshea Harris has stepped into the director's chair for the film adaptation of her acclaimed 2018 drama, "Is God Is." This cinematic version expands far beyond the original stage production, which centered on twin sisters tasked with murdering their father.

Harris's inspiration for the play stemmed partly from Rihanna's 2015 music video "Bitch Better Have My Money," as well as a desire to feature Black women in prominent revenge narratives. For the film, Harris sought to create a distinct cinematic experience, drawing inspiration from revenge thrillers like "Lady Snowblood" and spaghetti westerns, alongside visually rich films such as "Daughters of the Dust" and "Moonlight."

The journey to the screen involved significant development, with producers Scott Rudin and A24 initially involved before Tessa Thompson and her producing partner Kishori Rajan took over. Janicza Bravo, who was initially slated to direct, mentored Harris and eventually served as a producer, encouraging Harris to embrace the unique 'weirdness' of her vision and to direct it herself.

"Is God Is" features a compelling cast, including Sterling K. Brown as the sociopathic father and Kara Young and Mallori Johnson as the twin protagonists, Racine and Anaia. The film's experimental typography, a hallmark of the play, is integrated through on-screen text for the twins' dialogue. The production prioritized actor safety and trust, with Harris cultivating a supportive environment on set.

Producers like Tessa Thompson highlighted Harris's precise writing and her focus on centering Black women as subjects, not just objects, within the narrative. The film's blend of noir, comedy, spaghetti western, and Greek tragedy elements also attracted Orion Pictures, which has a track record of supporting first-time feature filmmakers.