Zola

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2:14

Zola

R

Released Jun 30, 2021

1h 27m

Comedy

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

256 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

250+ Verified Ratings

"Y'all wanna hear a story about why me & this bitch here fell out? It's kind of long but full of suspense." Thus began the odyssey of one A'Ziah King, aka ZOLA. From acclaimed writer/director Janicza Bravo, Zola's stranger than fiction saga, which she first told in a now iconic series of viral, uproarious tweets, comes to dazzling cinematic life. Zola (Taylour Paige), a Detroit waitress, strikes up a new friendship with a customer, Stefani (Riley Keough), who seduces her to join a weekend of dancing and partying in Florida. What at first seems like a glamorous trip full of "hoeism" rapidly transforms into a 48-hour journey involving a nameless pimp, an idiot boyfriend, some Tampa gangsters and other unexpected adventures in this wild, see-it-to-believe-it tale.

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Critics Consensus

Zola captures the stranger-than-fiction appeal of the viral Twitter thread that inspired it -- and announces director/co-writer Janicza Bravo as a filmmaker to watch.

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Audience Says

The sudden ending may leave some unsatisfied, but high energy, a distinctive look, and some solid acting make this trip worth taking.

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Dwight Brown

National Newspaper Publishers Association

The filmmakers, writers and cast are so criminally funny they should all be hailed for shining a light on a serious subject and then arrested by the vice squad for their naughty humor.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 15, 2021

Full Review

Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

All in all, the tale of what happened in the aftermath of her extended saga sounds a lot more fun than the adventure itself.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 19, 2021

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Simran Hans

Monocle

It's very arch and very funny in its tone... It's sort of vibrating at this slightly scary frequency, and it really walks the line between comedy and drama.

Aug 20, 2021

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Cain Noble-Davies

FILMINK (Australia)

… nothing short of brilliant …

Rated: 16/20

Dec 1, 2024

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Hector A. Gonzalez

The Movie Buff

Zola could have been a unique wild ride that is witty while foul, but unfortunately it does not have much substance to hold on to.

Rated: D

Sep 8, 2024

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Annlee Ellingson

CineWomen

What started as a Twitter thread so epic it earned the hashtag #TheStory has been transformed into a wild and woolly big-screen adaptation that not only honors its audacious social-media origin story but marks the breakthrough of a bold, fresh voice.

Jul 29, 2024

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Jessica B

Made me believe in the power of independent films again - hilarious, unsettling, honest, affecting, real, original. True home run.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/07/21

Full Review

Peter

I liked it! I was also on Twitter when Zolas tweets went viral.. so I was able to connect to it more I suppose.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/01/21

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Gabriella

It ended weird and passed by quickly. Not that good.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/01/21

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Ivy E.

I wanted to like this movie more because I thought it was more action packed, but it was slow building and the story felt incomplete. I enjoyed the comedic elements, the social references and acting, but I guess this is the result of writing a film from a series of tweets.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/01/21

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Victoria T

hella drama, action packed, realistic elements, hella good movie

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/01/21

Full Review

Stephanie

I thought it was cute. A little kiki and cautionary tale rolled into one.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/01/21

Full Review

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Janicza Bravo

Director

Taylour Paige

Zola

Riley Keough

Stefani

Nicholas Braun

Derrek

Colman Domingo

X

Ari'el Stachel

Sean

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24:56

Zola: Trailer 1

2:14

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Synopsis

"Y'all wanna hear a story about why me & this bitch here fell out? It's kind of long but full of suspense." Thus began the odyssey of one A'Ziah King, aka ZOLA. From acclaimed writer/director Janicza Bravo, Zola's stranger than fiction saga, which she first told in a now iconic series of viral, uproarious tweets, comes to dazzling cinematic life. Zola (Taylour Paige), a Detroit waitress, strikes up a new friendship with a customer, Stefani (Riley Keough), who seduces her to join a weekend of dancing and partying in Florida. What at first seems like a glamorous trip full of "hoeism" rapidly transforms into a 48-hour journey involving a nameless pimp, an idiot boyfriend, some Tampa gangsters and other unexpected adventures in this wild, see-it-to-believe-it tale.

Director: Janicza Bravo
Producer: Christine Vachon, David Hinojosa, Gia Walsh, Kara Baker, Vince Jolivette, Elizabeth Haggard, Dave Franco
Screenwriter: Janicza Bravo, Jeremy O. Harris
Distributor: A24
Production Co: Killer Films, Ramona Films, Gigi Films
Rating: R (Graphic Nudity|A Sexual Assault|Language Throughout|Strong Sexual Content|Violence)
Genre: Comedy, Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 30, 2021, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 14, 2021
Runtime: 1h 27m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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