Zola

Movie Trailer

Release Date
June 30, 2021

Genre
Comedy, Drama, Crime

Cast & Crew

• Taylour Paige as Zola
• Riley Keough as Stefani
• Colman Domingo as X
• Nicholas Braun as Derrek
• Ari’el Stachel as Sean

Director
Janicza Bravo

Other Movies Director is Known For

• Lemon (2017)
• Gregory Go Boom (2013)

Producer
Christine Vachon, David Hinojosa, Vince Jolivette, Kara Baker, Janicza Bravo, Elizabeth Haggard, A24

Writer
Janicza Bravo, Jeremy O. Harris (based on the tweets by Aziah “Zola” King and the article by David Kushner)

Budget
$5 million

Production Company
A24, Killer Films, Gigi Films

Running Time
90 minutes

Languages
English

Maturity Rating
R (for strong sexual content and language throughout, graphic nudity, and violence including sexual assault)

Content Advisory

• Graphic nudity
• Sexual content
• Strong language
• Violence including sexual assault
• Drug use

Movie Story
Zola is a wild, adrenaline-fueled ride based on the infamous viral Twitter thread posted by Aziah “Zola” King in 2015. The film tells the story of Zola (Taylour Paige), a Detroit waitress who befriends Stefani (Riley Keough), an eccentric and carefree stripper. After a brief but intense connection, Stefani invites Zola on a road trip to Florida, promising a weekend of fun and easy money dancing at clubs.

However, the trip quickly spirals out of control as Zola realizes that she’s been lured into a dangerous situation. Stefani’s “roommate,” X (Colman Domingo), turns out to be a manipulative pimp, and the weekend turns into a chaotic series of events involving forced prostitution, violence, and desperate attempts to escape the situation. Zola’s journey is one of survival, as she navigates the bizarre and often frightening underworld that Stefani has dragged her into.

The film captures the absurdity and tension of Zola’s real-life experience, blending dark humor with moments of intense drama. The narrative is fast-paced, with a distinctive visual style that reflects the surreal and nightmarish quality of the events. Zola’s voiceover throughout the film keeps the story grounded, offering wry commentary on the increasingly wild situations she finds herself in. Zola is a modern-day cautionary tale about trust, betrayal, and the dangers of getting caught up in someone else’s chaotic life.

Special Effects
The special effects in Zola are minimal, focusing instead on the film’s stylistic choices, such as the use of vibrant colors, rapid cuts, and a dynamic camera that mirrors the chaotic energy of the story. The film employs creative sound design and visual techniques to emphasize the tension and absurdity of the situations Zola encounters. The visual style is integral to the storytelling, capturing the frenetic pace and surreal nature of the events.

Box Office Performance
Zola was a modest success at the box office, grossing approximately $5 million worldwide. Given its low budget and the ongoing pandemic, these figures were respectable, and the film received widespread critical acclaim. It also gained a strong following due to its origins as a viral Twitter thread and its unique approach to storytelling.

Filming Locations

• Tampa, Florida, USA
• Los Angeles, California, USA

Notable Quotes

• “Y’all wanna hear a story about why me and this b**** here fell out? It’s kind of long but full of suspense.” – Zola
• “This is messy! You are messy!” – Zola
• “We makin’ shmoney!” – Stefani

Behind-the-Scenes

• The film is based on a 148-tweet thread by Aziah “Zola” King, which went viral in 2015 and was later adapted into an article by David Kushner titled “Zola Tells All: The Real Story Behind the Greatest Stripper Saga Ever Tweeted.”
• Director Janicza Bravo worked closely with writer Jeremy O. Harris to stay true to the tone and spirit of the original Twitter thread while adapting it into a cohesive narrative film.
• Taylour Paige, who plays Zola, spent time with the real-life Zola King to prepare for her role and understand the nuances of her experience.

Awards

• Independent Spirit Awards: Nominated for Best Female Lead (Taylour Paige), Best Supporting Female (Riley Keough)
• Gotham Awards: Won Best Screenplay (Janicza Bravo, Jeremy O. Harris)
• Sundance Film Festival: Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize – Dramatic

Final Verdict
Zola is a bold, visually striking film that captures the wild energy of its source material while offering a biting commentary on exploitation and the darker side of social media fame. With strong performances, particularly from Taylour Paige and Riley Keough, and a distinct directorial vision from Janicza Bravo, the film stands out as one of the most unique and talked-about movies of 2021. It’s a must-see for those interested in boundary-pushing cinema and contemporary stories that blend humor and horror.

IMDb Rating
6.5/10