Watch Zola

Zola is a 2020 drama movie, based on a true story, that follows the journey of a stripper named Zola. The film revolves around the life of Zola, a young, carefree, and outspoken stripper who meets a fellow stripper named Stefani while working in a restaurant. The two become good friends, and Stefani invites Zola to join her for a weekend in Florida, where they plan to dance at a high-end strip club and make a lot of money.

The story takes off when the two girls, along with Stefani's boyfriend Derrek and his friend Xavier, arrive in Florida and everything takes an unexpected turn. Zola quickly realizes that the trip is not as it seems, and learns that Stefani has a dangerous plan to make money as a prostitute. The story follows Zola as she navigates through the dangerous world of sex trafficking while trying to protect herself and her friends.

The movie is directed by Janicza Bravo, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jeremy O. Harris. The film stars Taylour Paige as Zola, Riley Keough as Stefani, Nicholas Braun as Derrek, and Colman Domingo as X. Zola premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2020, where it received critical acclaim for its compelling storyline and powerful performances.

One of the most notable aspects of Zola is its unique visual style. The movie is shot entirely in 4:3 aspect ratio, which gives it a vintage feel and creates an intimate atmosphere that draws the viewer in. The cinematography is also highlighted by clever usage of light and shadow, and occasional use of different lenses and camera movements to depict different stages of the journey.

The acting in Zola is another standout aspect of the film. Taylour Paige gives an outstanding performance as the titular character, portraying her as fiercely independent, optimistic, and determined despite her circumstances. Riley Keough also puts in a solid performance as Stefani, a character who starts off as charming and likable but ultimately becomes more complex and unpredictable as the story progresses. Nicholas Braun delivers a great performance as Derrek, the clueless and somewhat dim-witted boyfriend of Stefani, whose presence adds comic relief to the movie.

The story of Zola is based on a viral Twitter thread from 2015, which chronicled a real-life adventure that happened to a stripper named Aziah "Zola" Wells. The movie manages to capture the essence of the original story, while also adding its unique twists and turns to make it stand out. The script is well-written, with a strong focus on character development and an engaging narrative that keeps the audience on the edge of their seat.

Overall, Zola is a captivating and thought-provoking movie that explores important themes such as the exploitation of women, the dangers of sex trafficking, and the power dynamics in relationships. The movie manages to balance heavy subject matter with moments of humor and lightheartedness, creating a well-rounded and enjoyable cinematic experience. Zola is definitely worth watching for its excellent performances, unique visual style, and compelling storyline.

Zola is a 2021 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 76.