The Weekend from Hell

Zola

by Kathia Woods

In 2015 Aziah "Zola" Wells posted a 148-tweet thread. It began with this opening line " You all wanna her a story how me and this bitch here fell out???????? It's kinda long but full of suspense." That thread was seen by Missy Elliot, Solange Knowles, KeKe Palmer, and director Janicza Bravo, who decided to develop the story into a film.

Zola is a hell of a roller coaster ride. The movie opens with Zola waiting on Stefani and her "friend." The encounter seems coincidental. Her new friend immediately texts her and asks if she wants to make some money? It’s just gonna be a little road trip.

Such is the beginning of the weekend from hell. There are several hints throughout the first thirty minutes of this film that inform you that this trip was going to take a left turn. First clue Stefani has her "roommate" and "friend" in the car when they pick up Zola. The "roommate" is in the backseat; the "friend" is driving. This picture screams that the setup is in, however, to what degree? Little did we know this was the launchpad for a human trafficking story.

Taylor Paige, best known as Ahsha Hayes on "Hit the Floor," is Zola. I was surprised by her performance. In her previous outing, her character didn't have much depth, so I was skeptical why she was given the lead as Zola. Taylor took command of the lingo and demonstrated the acting range needed to have us invest in this crazy tale.

Riley Keough, as Stefani is equally as engaging. First, you believe her olive branch of friendship but soon realize she's in on the hustle.

The surprise performance of this film belongs to Colman Domingo, as X. He is everything. His portrayal is smooth when needed and threatening when least expected. Colman owns every scene. He's in charge. Nowhere is that more present as when X explains to Zola how she's going to accompany Stefani on her out-calls. He uses deliberate force to check Zola. We haven’t had this menacing of a pimp since Morgan Freeman as Leo Smalls in Street Smart.

Rounding out this cast of misfits is Nicholas Brown as Derek, the naive misguided "roommate," aka Boyfriend, and Jason Mitchell as the rival hustler.

Some of the most uncomfortable scenes in Zola are those with Derek. He knows his relationship is not stable, but his love for Stefanie doesn't allow him to acknowledge the whole truth.

I must be honest. I was surprised to see Jason Mitchell in this film. He wasn’t mentioned in any of the adverting of this film understandably so. I realize that this was filmed before his firing due to misconduct on the Chi; however, I was disturbed that they kept some very challenging scenes between him and Taylor. Seeing him touch her was very uncomfortable to watch.

Zola is not a smooth pour but a high-octane jolt. Many issues are addressed in this film. The tumultuous relationship between black and white women. How men use women's vaginas to control them. How easily you can go from waitressing at Hooters to be a part of Human Trafficking.

Most importantly, nothing is for free. Zola is not going to be everyone's cup of tea because it's raw and uncomfortable, but that what makes it so great.

Kudos to director Janicza Bravo for having the courage to show the good, the bad, and the ugly. Kudos to the real Zola for putting her story out on Twitter.

Diversity: This film has a black director, black lead, black co-star, and black co-screenwriter. It gets an 8

Scale: I give this film a seven for the roller-coaster ride