The American Society of Magical Negroes

PG-13

Released Mar 15

1h 44m

Comedy

Fantasy

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27%

71 Reviews

Tomatometer

63%

100+ Verified Ratings

Audience Score

THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAGICAL NEGROES is a fresh, satirical comedy inspired by the "magical negro" cinematic trope popularized in American cinema and television throughout the 20th Century and first named and criticized by filmmaker Spike Lee. Flipping the trope on its head, THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAGICAL NEGROES follows a young man, Aren, who is recruited into a secret society of magical Black people who dedicate their lives to a cause of utmost importance: making white people more comfortable. Although initially enamored with his new powers, Aren begins to question the value of using supernatural means to do the very thing he's felt obligated to do his whole life.

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Critics Consensus

The American Society of Magical Negroes has a promising premise, but is too timid to fully engage with its most provocative ideas.

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Audience Consensus

The American Society of Magical Negroes offers some funny food for thought, but it plays things too safe to reach its full potential.

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Malaki

the concept was there but to many sub-plots for the movie to be moving in a singular direction

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/24/24

Full Review

Gwen

The movie was entertaining but not worth more than 3 stars. I did like how it incorporating Gen X and Z with generations prior. It depicted how companies are created today and the billionaires who run them and especially how societies are really trying to be mindful of all people and cultures without dismissing them entirely. I wasn't especially excited about the characters. Not that it needed a big name, but the main characters, including David Alan Grier, didn't do it for me. I'd watch in on-line and not in the theatre if I had to do it over again. But it wasn't a total loss. I just didn't leave the theatre wanting more. The ending seemed forced.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/05/24

Full Review

Jim S

First, big applause for tackling a fairly unknown (to some) troupe, with some definite funny moments. Unfortunately, the story and writing were messy. They beat you over the head with the troupe instead of finding more clever ways to portray (ala American Fiction). The final act was well delivered but like a Chris Rock punch line, went a little too long.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/29/24

Full Review

Jean

The movie made no sense. Not sure who the audience was for this movie but this script should have stayed in the development room. Cheers.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/29/24

Full Review

John

This is a great movie. The reviews initially had me worried but after I got through the first 10 minutes the movie was quite pleasing. It is not fall out of your seat funny but it is quality. Its on my list to purchase once its available for download.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/28/24

Full Review

Ted H

Great premise, but sappy rom com. Sweet. No teeth. Needed Spike or Jordon Peele to bring it home.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/26/24

Full Review

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Kobi Libii

Director

Justice Smith

Aren

David Alan Grier

Roger

An-Li Bogan

Lizzie

Drew Tarver

Jason

Michaela Watkins

Masterson

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The American Society of Magical Negroes: Exclusive Featurette - Origin Story

2:52

The American Society of Magical Negroes: Trailer 1

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Mark Kermode

Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube)

It's not only utterly bereft of magic, but what it lacks it's that sense of anarchic strangeness or weirdness...

Apr 29, 2024

Full Review

Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Unfortunately, Kobi Libii’s film is far too diffident and polite in its approach to leave much of a mark in the conversation about race and representation in US culture.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 29, 2024

Full Review

Kambole Campbell

Empire Magazine

Despite a valiant effort from Justice Smith, the satire in The American Society of Magical Negroes feels aimless, scattered across a story that struggles to pick a meaningful direction.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 25, 2024

Full Review

Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

Writer-director Kobi Libii peppers the film with knowing satire, giving weight to a narrative that never quite takes hold. Essentially, this is an enjoyable romantic comedy souped up with topical issues and silly wizardry.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 30, 2024

Full Review

Dulcie Pearce

The Sun (UK)

Sadly, this muddled satire fails to cast a spell.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 26, 2024

Full Review

Victoria Luxford

City AM

This could have been a searing cultural lesson along the lines of 2018’s Sorry To Bother You or Spike Lee’s own media Satire Bamboozled. Instead, it pulls itself in too many directions and feels unsatisfying

Rated: 2/5

Apr 24, 2024

Full Review

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Synopsis

THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAGICAL NEGROES is a fresh, satirical comedy inspired by the "magical negro" cinematic trope popularized in American cinema and television throughout the 20th Century and first named and criticized by filmmaker Spike Lee. Flipping the trope on its head, THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAGICAL NEGROES follows a young man, Aren, who is recruited into a secret society of magical Black people who dedicate their lives to a cause of utmost importance: making white people more comfortable. Although initially enamored with his new powers, Aren begins to question the value of using supernatural means to do the very thing he's felt obligated to do his whole life.

Director: Kobi Libii
Producer: Mike Upton, Oren Moverman, Leonid Lebedev
Screenwriter: Kobi Libii
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Sight Unseen Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Material|Suggestive Material|Some Strong Language)
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 15, 2024, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 2, 2024
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.5M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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