lovie simone owns the screen from the very second we first see her face, sitting on her throne as it is her right.

2020 Films Ranked | The 2020 Adventure

They will push you past your limits so that you know what your limits is.

Beautiful crossover between The Godfather and Gossip Girl. Brilliant and refreshing!

This was REFRESHING!

Absolutely adored this and this concept of a high school The Godfather-esque setting. This rough handheld cinematography was captivating considering the plot and tone.
The third act shot my rating up and the run in the woods had my heart thumping, I truly feared for the characters' lives.
I do think outside of Selah, some of the characters were weak and needed some fleshing out. I just wanted more, more of the factions, more of the shady dealings, more of them trying to evade the administration. So glad we're getting a tv show
Lovie Simone was a force!

This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

super excited to learn that this is being developed into a tv show, because i feel like that's where this concept can truly shine! the direction here was great and felt very fresh and stylish, but the film as a whole was ultimately held back by pacing issues. i think the structure of a tv show will definitely be better for this and allow more development, i'll be looking forward to checking it out whenever it drops.

This movie felt like it was made by someone who you start talking to at the party and then you think like ok we have some common interests and then you talk to them more and start to realize that this person has no real substance to them and they’re an empty shell of a human being but you’re too far in and you can’t leave because all your friends are here

this movie felt like if a cw tv show took itself seriously and also thought of itself as the revolutionary voice of a generation 

I can’t stop thinking about this movie 
It was made
So many people worked on this

"Why not just do things that keep you from crying in bathrooms?”

Thrilled to hear that this is being adapted into a series! The world Tayarisha Poe has built here is so rich and densely populated with colorful characters, and it needs more space to reveal itself fully. As a film, the exposition ends up being rushed and confusing, and initially compelling aspects of the plot don’t end up blossoming as they should. Still, its ideas hold nevertheless, and the confident direction and lively performances make it worth the watch. It’s a fun time, even as the darker sides of the factions begin to dominate.

Poe has such a clear voice and confident hand, and debuts as ambitious as her’s should always be celebrated.

a refreshing, promising debut with an awesome aesthetic and beautiful, strong direction!!! so thrilled that it's being developed into a tv show as i feel like it will give the world, characters and plot more room to develop and really shine!

Jharrel Jerome please notice me

The audacity of everyone involved in this film to make every single aspect so fucking beautiful is mind blowing. The cinematography is the best of the year, and every single shot feels like an immaculate conception. The performances are all flawless and emotive and so human. The fact that this is a debut... i don't know if I'm prepared for the sophomore effort. The whole prom storyline does seem rather contrived and does NOT belong in this movie at all. But other than that, a truly wonderful experience.

It’s this easy to cast dark-skin Black leads, Hollywood. I promise.

even better on a rewatch

loved it!! such a unique take on a coming of age film. not to mention the main character was black! kept watchers on their toes

"they always try to break you down when you're 17."

this really was just THE serve. Lovie Simone, are you KIDDING ME? ATE it up. her look in the final 20 minutes? GORGEOUS. unmatched. she IS the moment. THE FINAL SCENE ALONE, Lovie can ACT, she is the force.

peak cinema. can't wait for the show.

love u, Jharrel Jerome, hmu.

this movie is just too good, i love it so much.

i was waiting the whole movie for selah and paloma to fuck or something the sexual tension of it all...

Those last final shots were so beautiful. Love the way the film started. I feel like it was missing some more world building. “The greater good” motivation was a little iffy for me. 

Love how the characters were written and loveddd the lighting holy fuck

I really loved this
Cross between brick and school daze/dear white people.

I like the style of this. It felt more like a pilot episode then a whole movie. Everyone in the film was beautiful.

yes exactly !!! i can’t wait for the tv show omg

i’m sorry how were they not gay???? you know who i’m talking about

i heard they're making this into a tv show and god i hope so bc i feel like that's the best medium for it. as a movie it felt like it was exploring a lot of things in a very short window.

High school drama is so ridiculous