Beauty (Gracie Marie Bradley) is a young and gifted singer on the brink of a huge breakout. Under the strict supervision of her parents, she has been preparing for this moment her whole life. She is supported by her devoted girlfriend, Jasmine (Aleyse Shannon), despite her devout parents’ disapproval of their relationship. Soon after signing her first contract with an industry pro (Sharon Stone), she is met with the harsh realities of pop stardom–especially for a queer Black woman in the 1980’s–when she is asked to compromise her identity, hide who she loves, and misrepresent her art for the promise of fame and success. 

Featuring an incredible soundtrack, Beauty’s journey is as much her own story as it is an homage to her idols, honoring legendary Black female powerhouse vocalists like Patti LaBelle and Whitney Houston. Directed by Andrew Dosunmu and written by Lena Waithe, with gorgeous cinematography and a stellar ensemble cast (including the excellent Niecy Nash and Giancarlo Esposito as Beauty’s parents), this stunning period drama poetically highlights a story of love, identity, and familial pressures with exquisite artistry and depth.--Celeste Wong

Andrew Dosunmu