Is God Is Deserves Better
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“Is God Is” Deserves Better Than Box Office Mediocrity
The latest numbers for Aleshea Harris’s debut film, “Is God Is”, are a sobering reminder of Hollywood’s enduring blind spots when it comes to supporting Black-led projects. Despite earning a stellar 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie brought in only $5 million against its $14.8 million budget at the box office.
This disparity between critical acclaim and commercial success is nothing new – we’ve seen it play out time and again with films that break new ground in terms of representation. The revenge thriller genre has long been a staple of Western cinema, but when a film like “Is God Is” dares to put a Black female lens on these same themes, it’s not surprising that audiences are slow to catch on.
The movie itself is a bracing look at domestic violence and its aftermath, reframing the familiar tropes of the revenge thriller through a feminist lens. By centering twin sisters Racine and Anaia as they embark on a quest for justice against their father, Harris creates a narrative that’s both deeply personal and universally relatable.
The supporting cast is impressive in its own right, with standout performances from Janelle Monáe, Erika Alexander, and Mykelti Williamson. However, the film’s production history – a $14.8 million budget set with commercial expectations in mind – likely contributed to its box office struggles. This is a problem that plagues many low-budget films, especially those led by underrepresented voices.
When these projects are made on shoestring budgets and marketed as niche or “art-house” fare, it’s no wonder they fail to connect with broader audiences. The fact that “Is God Is” has landed on Prime Video at all is a testament to the perseverance of Aleshea Harris and her team.
Now streaming on Prime Video, “Is God Is” deserves better than box office mediocrity. Its 97% Rotten Tomatoes score speaks for itself, but what this achievement really tells us is that we still have work to do when it comes to supporting underrepresented voices in the entertainment industry.
As a film, “Is God Is” challenges its audience to confront the darker aspects of our shared human experience – and to emerge from that confrontation with a newfound appreciation for the power of storytelling. In an era where representation matters more than ever before, “Is God Is” serves as a powerful reminder of what’s at stake when we fail to support projects like this one.
Aleshea Harris’s film is not just about giving underrepresented voices a seat at the table; it’s also about recognizing the value in their stories – and fighting for them to be seen. As “Is God Is” continues through the streaming landscape, let’s hope that its critical success will translate into commercial viability – and that Aleshea Harris and her team will continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible on screen.
Reader Views
- JHJess H. · thru-hiker
The underwhelming box office take for "Is God Is" highlights the disconnect between critical acclaim and commercial viability in Hollywood. While Aleshea Harris's debut deserves better, the $14.8 million budget set with commercial expectations in mind was likely a recipe for disaster. The film's niche marketing and reliance on streaming might have limited its reach, but this also underscores the lack of trust given to underrepresented voices in the industry. We need to rethink how we greenlight projects like "Is God Is" – investing not just in their production, but also in their marketing and distribution.
- TTThe Trail Desk · editorial
"The commercial struggles of 'Is God Is' are indeed sobering, but let's not overlook another crucial factor: distribution strategy. Prime Video may have given the film new life, but its limited window and lack of traditional marketing muscle likely contributed to the movie's initial box office disappointment. It's time for studios to take a more nuanced approach to releasing underrepresented projects – perhaps experimenting with hybrid models that marry streaming platforms with targeted theatrical releases."
- MTMarko T. · expedition guide
The box office struggle is real for films like "Is God Is", but we need to question who's to blame for this mediocrity. Instead of solely targeting underfunded projects led by underrepresented voices, let's hold Hollywood accountable for perpetuating their own biases. We all know that prestige awards and critical acclaim are often used as a proxy for quality, yet when it comes time to put up real cash, the industry consistently fails to follow through. It's time to acknowledge the systemic failures that lead to box office disappointment and reward more than just artistic merit with a fat budget.