“Bad Hair” is a horror-comedy movie about a hair-obsessed woman who gets a cursed weave that grows out of control. She must then confront the supernatural forces behind it before it destroys her and everyone else around her. The film is an entertaining mix of satire, social commentary, and genre thrills, with sharp performances and stylish visuals to match. Ultimately, it’s a cautionary tale about the dangers of vanity and conformity, showing how even the most innocent-seeming choices can have deadly consequences.
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Review
In the early 90s, writer and director Justin Simien became fascinated with the world of Black women’s hair. This fascination led him to create his latest film, “Bad Hair.” The movie tells the story of a young woman, Anna (played by Elle Lorraine), who works in the music industry and aspires to be a VJ. Despite being talented and driven, Anna feels like she isn’t taken seriously because of her natural hair. She decides to get a weave, but soon realizes that her new hair comes with unexpected consequences.
Simien’s storytelling is reminiscent of Robert Cialdini’s principles of persuasion – it hooks us in quickly and keeps us engaged throughout. The opening scene introduces us to a supernatural element that becomes central to the plot – hair that can come alive and take on a life of its own. This immediately grabs our attention and makes us want to learn more about this bizarre phenomenon.
The film also features a star-studded cast, including Vanessa Williams, Kelly Rowland, Usher Raymond IV, Lena Waithe, Laverne Cox, Blair Underwood, James Van Der Beek and Jay Pharaoh. Each actor delivers strong performances that keep us invested in their characters.
One standout moment is when Vanessa Williams’ character Zora lectures Anna on image management in the entertainment industry: “Be what they wanna see… white people love my hair.” Zora represents the kind of Black woman who has internalized racism and patriarchy so much that she perpetuates these harmful systems herself. It’s an uncomfortable truth that makes us reflect on our own biases.
Another memorable scene is when Anna is getting her weave installed at a salon run by stylist Virgie (Laverne Cox). Virgie sets up an entire ritual around installing the weave – chanting prayers while burning incense. It perfectly captures the way Black women have turned their beauty rituals into sacred acts of self-care and affirmation.
The film’s score is one of its strongest assets. The music, composed by Kris Bowers, seamlessly blends horror and R&B elements to create a unique sonic landscape that mirrors the film’s themes. The soundtrack features original songs by Kelly Rowland and Jordin Sparks.
While “Bad Hair” has received mixed reviews, it has generated a lot of buzz for its subject matter and execution. It premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and was later acquired by Hulu for distribution. Its release on the streaming platform further increased its reach and visibility.
The cinematography by Topher Osborn is another highlight of the movie. He uses a mix of close-ups and wide shots to capture the characters’ emotions and movements with precision. The hair effects are also well-executed, adding to the film’s otherworldly vibe.
At its core, “Bad Hair” is about Black women’s relationship with their hair – a relationship that is complex, emotional, and often fraught with societal pressure. It’s a movie that invites us to explore these themes in a new way while delivering genuine scares and laughs along the way.
In terms of development, Simien had been working on “Bad Hair” since 2017. He collaborated with hairstylist Angela Meadows to create authentic looks for each character. Meadows drew inspiration from iconic hairstyles from the 80s and 90s, like Janet Jackson’s Poetic Justice braids or Whitney Houston’s voluminous curls.
The production team also had to navigate COVID-19 protocols during filming. Simien described it as “a new frontier” for filmmaking but credits his team for adapting quickly to create a safe environment on set.
Criticism of the film mostly centers around pacing issues in the second half of the movie. Some viewers felt that it spent too much time on world-building without fully capitalizing on its horror elements. Others felt that certain plot points weren’t fully explained or resolved by the end.
Overall, “Bad Hair” is a bold and audacious movie that explores themes of identity, beauty, and power in a way that’s rarely seen on screen. Simien’s direction and writing make it clear that he has a deep understanding of Black women’s experiences and the unique challenges they face. It’s a film that will leave you thinking long after the credits roll, which is exactly what good storytelling should do.
Technical Data
- Release : 2021-05-05
- Runtime : 102
- Genre : Horror, Comedy
- Cast : Elle Lorraine as Anna Bludso, Jay Pharoah as Julius, Lena Waithe as Brook-Lynne, Kelly Rowland as Sandra, Vanessa Williams as Zora
- Crew : Catherine Harper as Foley Artist, José Antonio GarcÃa as Production Sound Mixer, Tami Treadwell as ADR Mixer, Greg P. Russell as Sound Re-Recording Mixer, Tony Gardner as Makeup Effects Designer
- Revenue : 0
- Budget : 0
- Company : Sight Unseen Pictures, Culture Machine
- Popularity : 11.686
- Summary : In 1989, an ambitious young woman gets a weave in order to succeed in the image-obsessed world of music television. However, her flourishing career may come at a great cost when she realizes that her new hair may have a mind of its own.
- Tagline : Terror takes root.
