If you’re looking for a peaceful family reunion, you’ve come to the wrong movie. Is God Is is a blood-soaked, genre-defying odyssey that proves vengeance is a dish best served with a side of Southern Gothic grit and a dash of pitch-black comedy.
Based on Aleshea Harris’ own award-winning play, the film marks her directorial debut—and she isn’t exactly easing into things. She’s coming out swinging with a cinematic cocktail that’s equal parts Spaghetti Western and Greek Tragedy.
Hell Hath No Fury
The plot follows two sisters, Anaia and Racine, who receive a letter from their long-lost mother. She’s got a horrific backstory and one simple, terrifying request: kill their father. What follows is an epic quest for revenge that moves from the deep South to the California desert. It’s a charged exploration of family trauma where the stakes aren’t just life and death—they’re biblical.
An Absolute Powerhouse of a Cast
You know a script is good when the call sheet looks like a “Best Actor” shortlist at the Oscars. Kara Young and Mallori Johnson lead the charge as the twin engines of destruction. Janelle Monáe and Erika Alexander bring the fire, while Mykelti Williamson and Josiah Cross add to the tension, with Vivica A. Fox and Sterling K. Brown, rounding out the cast, expect every scene to be a masterclass in intensity.
Behind the Lens
Produced by a “who’s who” of visionary creators—including Tessa Thompson and Janicza Bravo—this isn’t your standard thriller. It’s a distinct, stylized fever dream that refuses to stay in one lane. It’s funny until it’s terrifying, and it’s beautiful until it’s bloody.
The vibe? Imagine if Quentin Tarantino and Flannery O’Connor had a baby, and that baby grew up to be very, very angry.
Coming Soon
Aleshea Harris both wrote and directed Is God Is, which was rated “R” for “strong/bloody violence,” which is an understatement when you’re hunting your own father. Is God Is is a loud, proud, and violent declaration that the revenge genre gets a much-needed shot of adrenaline on May 15, 2026.
