This school is cursed.|Mar. 18, 2022|United States|91 Min.|R
Genre: 4K-2160p;Drama;Horror;Mystery
Description: The film *Master* (2022), directed by Mariama Diallo, is a sharp and deeply unsettling horror-satire exploring themes of racism and identity politics within an American university setting. The story unfolds at a fictional Ivy League school in New England, which outwardly celebrates diversity while grappling with systemic issues.
Jasmine, a young woman of color played by Zoe Renee, is a new student who becomes increasingly unsettled after learning that her assigned dorm room was the site of a tragic event—the suicide of the university’s first Black female student in the 1960s. Meanwhile, Gail Bishop, portrayed by Regina Hall, is a respected scholar who has recently been appointed as the first Black woman “master” of one of the university’s houses. The term “master” carries uncomfortable historical connotations, adding to the tension.
Both women intersect with Liv Beckman, a progressive academic and tutor played by Amber Gray. Liv’s radical stance on racism contrasts with Gail’s more reserved approach, but her tenure is jeopardized when Jasmine files a formal complaint against her for failing a paper on *The Scarlet Letter*.
As these institutional and generational conflicts unfold, Jasmine begins experiencing eerie and escalating supernatural occurrences. The story intensifies during a disturbing party scene where predominantly white students chant racial slurs, highlighting the unsettling dynamics masked by the university’s performative diversity.
The film masterfully blends campus politics with horror, creating a chilling commentary on the superficial use of diversity as a status symbol.
Cast director: Mariama Diallo
Cast actor: Regina Hall, Zoe Renee, Amber Gray, Talia Ryder, Talia Balsam, Ella Hunt, Noa Fisher, Kara Young, Bruce Altman, Jennifer Dundas
Original name: Master