Kara Young may already be a Broadway legend with four Tony nominations and two wins, but her new film Is God Is proves she's a force to be reckoned with on the big screen as well. In Aleshea Harris' directorial debut—an adaptation of her own acclaimed play—Young plays Racine, one half of a twin duo seeking vengeance for a childhood tragedy.
Young stars alongside Mallori Johnson as twin sisters who suffered severe burns as children. After years in the foster system, they're summoned by their estranged mother (Vivica A. Fox) on her deathbed. Her final command: "Make your daddy dead." What follows is a gripping, stylish revenge thriller that's as electrifying as it is unflinching.
Young's Racine is dubbed "the rough one"—a role that demands ferocity and unbridled determination. She soars in every scene, anchoring the film with a performance that's both raw and magnetic. Johnson's Anaia, "the quiet one," provides a perfect counterbalance, making their dynamic utterly captivating. If you're looking for underrated thrillers you need to watch right now, this one tops the list.
From Broadway to the Big Screen
Young's journey to Is God Is is rooted in her commitment to telling stories that matter. Reflecting on her Tony nominations—starting with Clyde's, then Cost of Living, and her wins for Purlie Victorious and Purpose—she says, "I still feel like that girl who's working five jobs and trying to do a show." Her approach is deeply intentional: "I have an intention to do justice to the story, a justice to the writer, a justice to the world, and even more importantly, humanity for the character."
That philosophy shines through in every role she takes, whether on stage or screen. In Is God Is, she channels that same dedication into a character who is "not seen very much or not heard very much," amplifying voices that need to be heard.
A Visionary Director's Debut
Harris' first feature is a staggering achievement. Young describes her as "a visionary whose vision is so clear," noting that every detail in every frame is distinctly Harris. "Aleshea says jump, I'm gonna jump," Young says, and she did just that, diving headfirst into the role of Racine with fearless abandon.
The film's intricate world and complex characters demand a performer who can handle the weight of its themes—broken systems, resilience, and revenge. Young delivers, making Is God Is a must-watch for fans of the best legal thriller movies of all time and anyone craving a fresh, bold voice in cinema.
Currently back on Broadway in Proof alongside Ayo Edebiri and Don Cheadle, Young is proving she can conquer any medium. But if Is God Is is any indication, her future on screen is just as bright as her stage career. This is a calling card that demands attention.
