Watch Dope

Dope is a coming-of-age comedy-drama film that follows high school senior Malcolm and his two best friends, Jib and Diggy, as they navigate life in a tough neighborhood in Inglewood, California. Malcolm, played by newcomer Shameik Moore, is a straight-A student obsessed with '90s hip-hop culture and dreams of attending Harvard. However, his aspirations are challenged when he gets caught up in a series of misadventures after attending a party hosted by a drug dealer.

The film opens with Malcolm in the midst of an interview for Harvard. As he talks about the obstacles he's faced growing up in Inglewood, the story flashes back to the beginning of his senior year. Malcolm is a nerdy and awkward teenager who, along with his friends, is constantly bullied by other students. As they navigate their way through their last days in high school, the trio also face constant pressure to fit in with their peers, which leads them to attend one of the most popular parties of the year.

At the party, Malcolm bumps into a girl named Nakia, played by Zoë Kravitz, who he has had a crush on for years. After an altercation with a drug dealer leads to the gun being fired, Malcolm and his friends run away, leaving behind a backpack filled with MDMA. In an attempt to clear their names and avoid the drug dealer, Malcolm and his friends find themselves in a world of drug dealing and dangerous gangsters.

Throughout the course of the film, Malcolm and his friends must use their intelligence and wit to navigate the challenges they face while also trying to maintain their innocence. With help from Nakia and an underground hacker named Will, played by Blake Anderson, Malcolm and his friends use their knowledge of '90s hip-hop culture to outsmart their enemies and ultimately clear their names.

The film is directed by Rick Famuyiwa and boasts an impressive ensemble cast that includes Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons, and A$AP Rocky. The film's soundtrack features a collection of '90s hip-hop classics, including songs from Nas, Tribe Called Quest, and Digital Underground, which serve to enhance the film's nostalgia-driven theme.

Dope is a refreshing take on the coming-of-age genre that tackles issues such as race, class, and identity with a lighthearted and entertaining tone. With its strong performances, clever writing, and distinctive style, Dope is a film that will leave audiences feeling inspired and entertained. It's a film about perseverance, friendship, and the power of being true to oneself, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles.