Red Pill

Powerful and provocative, Red Pill by Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins, is a gripping sociopolitical horror flick that found me sitting at the edge of my seat, crying and laughing at the same time, and then watching it again, immediately after the credits rolled. Rich with metaphor, satire, and the merging of history with contemporary issues, Red Pill breaks the mold of horror filmmaking. The multicultural cast of award-winning actors delivers nuanced and scintillating performances. Codified with sociocultural and political references, and teeming with symbolic imagery, Red Pill is a poetic feast. A brilliant and iconic work of art, Red Pill evokes conversation on issues critical to American history. Cutting edge and courageous filmmaking. Fantastical. Intellectual. Sophisticated. Surreal and yet so real.

I can't figure out what this film was intended to be. As social parody or identity politics allegory, it's as subtle as a jackhammer busting up concrete. As an entry in the horror genre, it doesn't really engage the viewer. I found it hard to identify with most of the victims given their personalities, although the cast did a good job with the roles they were given. Finally, insertion of old Nazi film clips just seems gratuitous. As a coda, I watched it the day after Trump announced he could "seek a third term", despite Constitutional restrictions. In that context, the film is pretty unsettling, but standing on its own, it could use some clarity in plot and setting.

...and that was just tonight's news!

Merging truth with fiction in art is a talent. In the case of Tonya Pinkins' Red Pill she is borderline seer.

Red Pill pulls no punches coaxing iconic imagery we see on a daily basis, and magnifying the true horrors behind the history.

Riveting. Cutting-edge. Must see over and over and over like the the endless realities of hate playing before us in our history books.

An allegory sprung from contemporary culture and politics n the U. S. Poor acting, poor plot development, plot holes galore. To rate this a 10 is to do a disservice to filmmakers everywhere. Yes, it's interesting. But I am betting the majority of viewers will have forgotten this film in a day or two after having watched it. Nothing stands out and there is plenty that doesn't make sense. I'm sure the budget for this film was on the very low end and it shows from the beginning to end. The premise is terrific but it could have been developed into something much more cohesive and satisfying. I have to wonder how many of the ten star reviews are coming from the film makers and their friends, as well as employees.

I'll start by saying I immediately wanted to watch this film again!

Loved the casting - I thought the actors were excellent and well matched. The antagonist didn't have to say anything at all and I still got the point! Maybe even loved the role a little more for the mystery...

The storyline is modern but the themes are old as time.

I would also say the first like 10 minutes of the film really set the stage so don't be late to your viewing!

Otherwise bring a full bowl of popcorn... and eat it fast so you don't throw it out of you lap at the first thrill!!!