Zola
A24 | Release Date: June 30, 2021
6.2
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 65 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
31
Mixed:
27
Negative:
7
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User Reviews

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7
zembowerboyAug 4, 2021
The savagely abrupt ending leaves much to be desired, and it may not add up to much, but Zola rises on the strength of its cast, especially Riley Keough, Taylor Paige, and Nicholas "Gregg the Egg" Braun. At times hilarious, only to take hardThe savagely abrupt ending leaves much to be desired, and it may not add up to much, but Zola rises on the strength of its cast, especially Riley Keough, Taylor Paige, and Nicholas "Gregg the Egg" Braun. At times hilarious, only to take hard turns into some rather dark territory. Zola is fun, a bit dirty, a bit depressing, but thankfully never exploitative or smutty despite its content. Definitely worth a watch at home on a hot summer's day with lots of weed.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
LatinCritic13Jul 13, 2021
What is a single word to describe Zola? Dazzling. Believe it or not, it's equally good as American Honey and Hustlers in a way that explores freedom and revelation. The cinematography by The Girlfriend Experience's Ari Wegner is a beauty thatWhat is a single word to describe Zola? Dazzling. Believe it or not, it's equally good as American Honey and Hustlers in a way that explores freedom and revelation. The cinematography by The Girlfriend Experience's Ari Wegner is a beauty that can't be slept on as Riley Keough and first timer Taylour Paige shines throughout this biopic that inspired a series of tweets that made Twitter talk in 2015.… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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7
zmgalen2000Jul 1, 2021
"Zola" is one of those movies whose technical execution is absolutely brilliant. From a directorial standpoint, certain choices of this film are captivating and unique, with all of these scenes being heightened by truly strong acting."Zola" is one of those movies whose technical execution is absolutely brilliant. From a directorial standpoint, certain choices of this film are captivating and unique, with all of these scenes being heightened by truly strong acting. However, this movie' potential is cut short by its storyline. It truly reels you in and immerses you into a retro-style contemporary world, and just as you start to think, "Hey! We're really going somewhere now," it sort of just tapers off and ends, leaving plot holes and general dissatisfaction at its conclusion.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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9
marvfoleyJul 8, 2021
Well-acted, creatively filmed, with a great use of music. I was fascinated by the relationship and the effective weilding of sex and business between two smart women trying to rise above and escape their circumstances.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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7
bertobellamyApr 22, 2022
'Uncut Gems' but with strippers. 'Zola' is stressful as the Safdie brothers film; maybe not as impactful, but still very entertaining.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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8
Stream2BigScreeJul 5, 2021
Typically, movies are adapted from novels, plays and even news articles, but can a Twitter thread really be developed into a compelling film? When the story is as outrageous as the tweetstorm that A'Ziah "Zola" King posted about 5 years ago,Typically, movies are adapted from novels, plays and even news articles, but can a Twitter thread really be developed into a compelling film? When the story is as outrageous as the tweetstorm that A'Ziah "Zola" King posted about 5 years ago, then it is worth an try. Recently released in theaters, Zola is the successful adaptation by Janicza Bravo and Jeremy O. Harris of that infamous Twitter thread. Bravo directs the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Harris and infused it with all the suspense and humor that King's original tweets had while adding in some social commentary. Here's how it goes.

While billed as part comedy, Zola is a cautionary tale about taking "hoe trips" with a person you barely know. Zola (Taylour Paige) meets Stefani (Riley Keough) at her day job at a Hooters-type restaurant and they become fast friends - too fast. The next day, Stefani invites Zola on a weekend trip to Florida with her "roommate" (Colman Domingo) and her boyfriend (Nicholas Braun) to earn some easy cash by dancing at a nightclub. As the trip begins, Zola begins to realize that she doesn't know Stefani as well as she should now that she's 20 hours from home. Things get messy, crazy and dangerous with every turn of events. Zola definitely never heard that important bit of advice: never go to a second location.

At less than 90 minutes, Bravo has directed a very tight film that keeps the energy, entertainment, and suspense at a high level. Each new scene escalates the potential danger and dread that comes with this trip. Bravo and Harris have been able to maintain King's voice throughout the film. It's like she's reading her tweets and it just materializes on screen. They have added to the soundtrack that iconic Twitter message sound that corresponds to direct quotes from the source material. Although we know that some things have been changed to adapt for the screen, it all still feels as urgent, dangerous and outrageous as it must have when it occurred. The film itself moves at a great clip and never loses your attention, but the only problem with it is that the ending feels rushed and unresolved.

I have to mention the outstanding cast. Most people will note what a character Stefani is and how Riley Keough embodies her. She has that accent and looks the part of the appropriative try-hard. She so wants to ingratiate herself with Zola and you know she's trustworthy. Keough changes her eyes and voice trying to gain sympathy, but you know she's up to no good. Taylour Paige is a fantastic anchor for the film. Paige gets to be annoyed, fed-up and self-assured while dealing with this terrifying situation. The looks that Paige's Zola shoots at Stefani are deadly. Colman Domingo and Nicholas Braun round out the core ensemble, and both are great. Braun brings most of the humor while Domingo gets to be menacing. All of these actors work well together and make the film an enjoyable ride.

Ultimately, whether you've read the Twitter thread or not, Zola is a worthwhile adventure to the movies. It has suspense and humor. There are great performances and clever commentary on society, friendship and trust. Be careful who you take your "hoe trips" with - make sure to get a big box of popcorn for this one.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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7
davemelbourne58Jul 4, 2021
Zola tells an interesting "cautionary" tale between 2 young ladies trying to get by. Like Mom always says "If the deal looks to good to be true, it probably is. Watching this movie made me very sad. I'm glad I don't have a young daughter.Zola tells an interesting "cautionary" tale between 2 young ladies trying to get by. Like Mom always says "If the deal looks to good to be true, it probably is. Watching this movie made me very sad. I'm glad I don't have a young daughter. After watching Zola, I kept singing to myself that old 3 Dog Night son: "Mama Told Me Not to Come." Great lead performances and cast. Glad Zola escaped with most of her dignity intact.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
TVJerryJul 6, 2021
In 2015, A’Ziah “Zola” Wells wrote 148 tweets that chronicled the story of her bizarre trip to Tampa. Their popularity resulted in this film, which stars Taylour Paige as a Detroit waitress who befriends a customer (Riley Keough). Soon,In 2015, A’Ziah “Zola” Wells wrote 148 tweets that chronicled the story of her bizarre trip to Tampa. Their popularity resulted in this film, which stars Taylour Paige as a Detroit waitress who befriends a customer (Riley Keough). Soon, they’re off for a weekend of exotic dancing that turns into much more. The narrative has an offhand casual feel, primarily due to the sometimes stunned and always insightful VO from Paige. Pile on a bunch of enjoyably over-the-top, fearless performances led by Riley Keogh and you have a parade of original characters. There are short montages and lots of quick cuts to keep the chaotic pace. Mica Levy’s score, full of sound effect punctuation and hardass songs, adds to the idiosyncratic appeal of this film and the characters’ journeys. Original, unique and slyly entertaining.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
marcmyworksJul 27, 2021
Zola is a strangely real and anxiety driven film with an original premise. Strangely fitting for 2021, having an entire film based on a series of tweets from a chaotic weekend.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
moviemitch96Jul 9, 2021
Here's a peculiar little indie that was adapted from and based off a nearly 150-Tweet-long Twitter thread that went viral back in the Fall of 2015 that chronicles the misadventures of a stripper named Aziah 'Zola' King who travels to FloridaHere's a peculiar little indie that was adapted from and based off a nearly 150-Tweet-long Twitter thread that went viral back in the Fall of 2015 that chronicles the misadventures of a stripper named Aziah 'Zola' King who travels to Florida with a fellow stripper in order to make extra money, but gets caught up in a dangerous gang affair instead. First off, I balked at the idea of an entire film being based off a Twitter thread, but also found the idea potentially intriguing as well. And while the film undeniably has flair and swagger to it, it mostly just lands squarely in the middle of just another "white trash cinema" flick. It's a film that deals with trashy people that are very difficult to sympathize with or care about, contains several sleazy sex sequences, one in the midway point of the film particularly that I really wish I could unsee, and seemingly aimless direction throughout that doesn't really do this outrageous story justice (I read the thread before going to see this, and I simply felt underwhelmed with this film's retelling of it compared to the actual thread itself.) The only real positives here is Taylour Paige's lead performance as the titular Zola, and the film does a fine job of capturing the glamorous but often times sketchy seedy underbelly of Tampa, Florida. But overall, it's flashy but mostly just seems to fall back on its own bling for the sake of show and to compensate for lack of substance.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
Brent_MarchantDec 21, 2021
While not everything flows as smoothly as it could in this daffy, edgy, fact-based road trip comedy derived from the contents of a protracted Twitter feed, the parts that do are hilariously ingenious, delivered with punctuated one-liners,While not everything flows as smoothly as it could in this daffy, edgy, fact-based road trip comedy derived from the contents of a protracted Twitter feed, the parts that do are hilariously ingenious, delivered with punctuated one-liners, snappy writing and inventive, inspired editing. Director Janicza Bravo's unflinching dive into the depraved world of an exotic dancer who doubles as a sex worker and routinely attempts to rope unwitting colleagues into her world of erotic escapades with a parade of deplorable clients shines a bright light on the unabashedly sleazy side of American culture and the social media/website operations gleefully pandering to those seething desires. The film seldom holds much back, so sensitive viewers should beware of what they might be getting themselves into, but, given the brilliance of the humor associated with such antics, it's difficult to maintain a prudish facade in the face of the wackiness served up. To be sure, there are some segments that seem to meander a bit, and it's not always clear exactly how some events connect, but, considering that the truth is often stranger than fiction, it's understandable how that might come into play here. The bottom line is that, if you're up for a polished raunchy romp, this is your film in all its tawdry glory.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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2
ThomassAug 14, 2021
Weird is the best thing I can say about this movie. The fact it came from Twitter feeds explains but does not excuse the lack of dramatic impact, character development, etc.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
JLuis_001Jul 24, 2021
With just 85 minutes, and based on a viral Twitter thread, Zola is a film that believes it's saying something interesting or noticeable when in fact it's no more incoherent, inconsequential, forgettable and irrelevant than the thing thatWith just 85 minutes, and based on a viral Twitter thread, Zola is a film that believes it's saying something interesting or noticeable when in fact it's no more incoherent, inconsequential, forgettable and irrelevant than the thing that inspire its creation.

And considering that very thing that inspired it, and with a generation of people that's perpetually staring at their phones for a new drama, how could they have thought this would get more attention?

Good showcase for its two protagonists, but that's as good as it gets.

There's now two strikes on a row for A24. I'm a bit worried.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
RichardSayreSep 30, 2021
@ZOLA is a wild road trip to Hell, also known as Florida, full of deranged characters left and right, and a great score to go along with it. This movie drips with A24 aesthetic, and that's honestly the only way I know to describe it. Chock@ZOLA is a wild road trip to Hell, also known as Florida, full of deranged characters left and right, and a great score to go along with it. This movie drips with A24 aesthetic, and that's honestly the only way I know to describe it. Chock full of great camera work, cinematograper Ari Wegner nails the indie vibe. This movie is so much my **** and I loved it. One of the best films of 2021.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
r96skJul 11, 2022
Different, but I actually liked it.

'Zola' takes a few scenes to get into it and to get used to the stylistic choices, namely with the editing and dialogue, though by the end I did in fact enjoy this film. It's a bonkers story, one that IDifferent, but I actually liked it.

'Zola' takes a few scenes to get into it and to get used to the stylistic choices, namely with the editing and dialogue, though by the end I did in fact enjoy this film. It's a bonkers story, one that I semi heard about when it became known that a film was going to be made based on a thread of tweets.

It's probably much better than it was any right to be in truth, all things considered, but the filmmakers made it work and deserve credit for that - and also for the astutely chosen short run time, too.

The acting talent bring noteworthy performances, with particularly Taylour Paige and also Riley Keough putting in the work. Colman Domingo is also good - I already like that guy from TV's 'Fear the Walking Dead', so it's always a pleasure to see him act elsewhere.

Recommended.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
paltareinaNov 16, 2021
i had high expectations but i feel that the film didn't do justice to the original story. maybe because it was just a thread on twitter. at the end I kept questioning, what is the purpose of this film?
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6
JimmySpeakerDec 6, 2021
Zola is a unique experience, to say the least. Another release from the up-and-coming A24, Zola is edgy and raw, but at times too abrasive. Performances by Taylour Paige and Riley Keough are acceptable, but leave depth to be desired. ColmanZola is a unique experience, to say the least. Another release from the up-and-coming A24, Zola is edgy and raw, but at times too abrasive. Performances by Taylour Paige and Riley Keough are acceptable, but leave depth to be desired. Colman Domingo once again impresses on the silver screen, while the rest of the cast leaves not such a great memory. While it has its moments of modern Gen-Y/Gen-Z hypersexualized, crime thriller humor, Zola lacks a definitive story containing any emotion or psychological depth; which is ironic for a movie based on a Twitter thread. It doesn't feel like I'm watching a movie about the Twitter thread, it feels like I'm watching a movie about people trying to Live Action Roleplay the Twitter thread. A24's cinematography aside, perhaps it should've kept to Twitter.… Expand
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8
ChanekeCholoDec 16, 2021
Its style is unique in every single way, both script and staging. It's a film that handles the cuteness with the seduction and achieves a strange balance that generates an attraction quiet interesting.
The performances were great and veryIts style is unique in every single way, both script and staging. It's a film that handles the cuteness with the seduction and achieves a strange balance that generates an attraction quiet interesting.
The performances were great and very gripping in their role. I always wonder, how will be the life of the people who are traveled in any highway, in someway, Zola is an example of that, considering that this film is based on a chain of tweets and that is both hilarious and dangerous.
I don't think that this film has any defect, but I considered that is not a rating 10 film.… Expand
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5
rmurray847Aug 10, 2023
ZOLA may finally be that movie where I have to say "I think I'm just the wrong audience for this film." I'm a 58 year old male, but I've been a huge film-goer my whole life. I'm a pretty avid consumer of film & TV. I have a Fine Arts degreeZOLA may finally be that movie where I have to say "I think I'm just the wrong audience for this film." I'm a 58 year old male, but I've been a huge film-goer my whole life. I'm a pretty avid consumer of film & TV. I have a Fine Arts degree in Performing Arts. I consider myself to be very open-minded about a wide variety of film: if it's "good" I'll watch it. This is all just to try to set up my feeling of disconnectedness with ZOLA.

Based on a series of tweets, it tells the ostensibly true story of Zola, a young African American stripper in Detroit, who develops an immediate and intense friendship with Stefani, a white stripper who encourages Zola to travel with her, her boyfriend Derrek (Nicholas Braun from SUCCESSION) and her pimp (known as X and played by the always engaging Colman Domingo) to Miami to dance at some high dollar clubs. Zola doesn't fully understand that the hope is she'll be agreeable to some prostitution as well once she gets to Miami.

The tone of the film is of wild exuberance and empowerment. Taylour Paige, as Zola, is a paradox, a composed free-spirit. A woman who feels great about being a stripper, but also is very strong and sure about her boundaries. She's smart and fun and funny. Wary & world-weary yet somehow naïve. On the other hand, you've got Stephani (Riley Keough in a role that would have put her on the map if more people had seen the film), a free-spirit with seemingly no boundaries. She'll do anything with her body (or allow anything to be done) for money. And she literally can't understand why her boyfriend Derrek would have any feelings of jealousy or unhappiness about it.

The plot of the movie involves, to a large degree, Zola's growing awareness of the situation she has gotten herself into. She's expected to be a prostitute. X is more dangerous than he originally appeared. And outside forces have taken a real interest in both women, and not with good motivations. Friendships and relationships are tested and reconstructed into new shapes. There are certainly scenes of immense tension, but the overall feel of the movie is that these 4 companions are mostly on a bit of a lark. The loud music, smiles and garish but fun costumes invite smiles and enjoyment. The "bad" things are just minor obstacles to be overcome. Being a prostitute is a minor life choice and being a stripper is a downright honorable profession.

I get it. Zola, in particular, makes her boundaries clear and also makes clear that stripping is an empowering way to make a living and to be true to herself. And it's in this realm that the film begins to lose me. I don't get "sex work" as empowering. I understand that difficult circumstances, abuse and ignorance can lead to this dangerous line of work. But for a bright, intelligent young lady to make that choice willingly, even defiantly, is tough for me. And the abuses Stefani endures are not minor. I won't detail them here, but in one night she makes $8000...a figure we clearly understand means she has slept with 16 different men. She's barely bothered by it; just a little tired. Is that "good?" The film argues that it isn't a real problem if the woman is in "control" of the situation. But is she really in control or is it just an illusion (to say nothing of the fact that her pimp, X, still gets virtually all the money in the end)? How is she NOT being exploited and used? Later, she's driven to an encounter with a group of men that surely is just objectively distasteful. But everyone emerges with a smile. Basically, the tone of the film eliminates any feeling that we need to feel sorry for, or worry about, these two women. They are strong, independent women (one of whom still has a pimp). I'm sorry but I struggle to accept that "thesis." And that's, finally, why I wonder if this film has just passed me by due to my age and circumstance. I did not enjoy or appreciate being asked to applaud the subjugation of these women. The film argues, I think, that they are not being subjugated. We are to just accept that one has boundaries, the other does not (it seems) and please just instead focus on the sometimes amusing and sometimes scary plot points that happen to Zola that were doubtless the focus of her famous series of tweets.

The 4 lead performances were all outstanding (although I had to put on the subtitles to understand Keough's crazy accent) and full of energy and commitment. I was fairly unfamiliar with Taylour Paige, but she's certainly on my list of actors of great interest now. Domingo is always great fun, whether menacing or playing a "kinder" role and even Braun brings a schlubby dignity to his role. The film is short, fast-moving and crisply edited. For a low budget film, the production values are high. But finally, for me, it was in the service of a movie that made me uncomfortable for what I see as the wrong reasons.… Expand
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