In The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster, ever since her mother and her brother Chris died, gifted high school student Vicaria has become obsessed with death. She believes that if given the right opportunity and resources she can ‘cure death’ and sets out to prove her theory.
Using Chris’ recently deceased body, Vicaria stitches him back together with parts from other corpses, before using electricity to reanimate him. The result is somewhat successful, although this new version of Chris is a hulking, monosyllabic husk of his former-self, who only seems to understand violence.
At first Vicaria is pleased with her achievement, having found a way to resurrect the dead (and more specifically her brother), but when Chris escapes from Vicaria’s lab, she worries about the death and destruction he could cause. Has she really found a way to cure death, or has she simply found a way to create a monster?
Written and directed by Bomani J. Story, and inspired by Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster is a fantasy horror movie. The film stars Laya DeLeon Hayes, Chad L. Coleman, and Edem Atsu-Swanzy and is new to stream on Shudder from today.
Treading a very well-worn path, that most people are familiar with (especially horror fans), The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster is essentially a modern-day Frankenstein for the 21st Century. The setting and characters are different, and the story has been given new themes and ideas, but in essence this is a picture about a girl who defies science and creates a monster in the process.
The good news is, The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster has some decent ideas, all the cast are on fine form, and the film is entirely watchable. The not-so good news is, the Frankenstein story feels done to death, and despite some strong efforts to bring a new flavour to the tale, this is only a so-so movie.
The issue with The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster isn’t so much the technical side of the film, as it is well shot and acted, it’s more to do with the general premise and inspiration. Because we’ve all seen the Frankenstein story so many times before, unless a new iteration does something exceptional or outstanding, it all feels kind of uneventful, and that’s what we have here.
This is a shame, as The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster tries its best to inject some fresh blood into the picture, and at times it hits the mark. The new setting – a rundown, gang-ridden neighbourhood in the US – allows for some interesting discussions about violence and systemic racism, and there are some touching moments connected to the core family.
But put these highlights to one side, and the overall story feels like it is going through the motions. These aren’t necessarily bad motions, but they are a bit too familiar and this does rob the film of a great deal of its excitement, suspense, and impact.
If everyone from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to The Animaniacs has told some version of Frankenstein before, then each new movie inspired by this story really needs to work hard to push the envelope. The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster does work hard, put it doesn’t push the envelope – or at least, it doesn’t push it enough anyway.
On a more positive front, Laya DeLeon Hayes is great in the lead role as Vicaria, and her relationship with her father (played by Chad L. Coleman) is nicely handled. The film also looks good, has an even tone, and as noted above it has some strong ideas and themes which feel relevant to today.
Based purely on what it gets right, The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster isn’t bad and for some it may prove absolutely fine. I doubt many will be wowed by what’s on offer, but it’s certainly far from a poor film.
However, despite its achievements, as well as its good intentions, The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster is a middle-of-the-road picture. You’ll watch it once, you may find it entertaining enough, but I’m not sure you’ll return for more.
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