On Amazon Prime, one of the best horror films of recent years has been released.
It is set in an elite university in New England. Talented Zoe Renee stars as Jasmine Moore, a new student who learns that her room was occupied by another black student who committed suicide in 1965. She starts having visions and nightmares about a woman accused of witchcraft at the same location. She also seems to be subject of racist bullying and having her grades unfairly marked down by one of her teachers, Liv Beckman (Anber Gray). The new college Master, the first black person in that role, Gail Bishop (Regina Hall) becomes concerned about Jasmine’s well being.
With subplots involving Liv’s background, an Amish-like community nearby and Jasmine’s privileged white roommate, there is an awful lot of plot for a 100 minute movie. Writer/director Mariama Diallo pulls everything together brilliantly. The witch plot is a fairly basic horror one, but Diallo injects a real creepiness that makes it very effective. But it is the critique of racial discrimination in the American education system and society in general that elevates this film. It is woven into the horror story more interestingly and skilfully than in the much more lauded Get Out.
The performances are all impressive, particularly Renee’s and Diallo has announced herself as a major talent.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10