Orion Pictures has released the first look images and a new featurette for its upcoming genre-blending revenge thriller Is God Is, giving audiences an inside glimpse at the highly anticipated film ahead of its theatrical debut.
The new featurette spotlights breakout stars Kara Young and Mallori Johnson alongside an ensemble cast that includes Janelle Monáe, Erika Alexander, Vivica A. Fox, Sterling K. Brown, Mykelti Williamson, and Josiah Cross. Together, they explain the film’s bold tone and emotional intensity as it moves between Southern Gothic storytelling, Western-inspired landscapes, and dark comedy.
A Revenge Story Rooted in Myth and Trauma
Written and directed by Obie Award-winning playwright Aleshea Harris, Is God Is is based on her acclaimed, award-winning stage play. The film marks Harris’ directorial debut and expands the original work into a cinematic experience while maintaining its poetic dialogue and mythic structure.
At the center of the story are twin sisters Racine and Anaia, played by Kara Young (I’m a Virgo) and Mallori Johnson (Kindred), who were severely burned as children in a house fire that left them permanently scarred. Raised believing the fire killed their mother, their world is shattered when they discover she is still alive.
In a haunting revelation, their mother—referred to as “She” or “God,” played by Vivica A. Fox—reveals that the twins’ father was responsible for the fire. Her final wish sets the narrative in motion: find him.
From there, the sisters embark on a cross-country journey fueled by vengeance, traveling from the Northeast to the California desert. Along the way, they encounter key figures tied to their father’s past, including a pastor played by Erika Alexander, a lawyer portrayed by Mykelti Williamson, and his new wife, played by Janelle Monáe. Their search ultimately leads them to their father, played by Sterling K. Brown.
A Genre-Defying Vision
The cast featurette highlights the film’s unique tonal blend—an intersection of Southern Gothic atmosphere, Western mythos, and dark comedic elements—framing Is God Is as a stylized revenge story rooted in family trauma, identity, and survival.
The film is produced by Tessa Thompson, Kishori Rajan, Riva Marker, Janicza Bravo, and Aleshea Harris, with executive producers Stacy O’Neil, Nicole King, and Kenneth Yu.
Originally premiering Off-Broadway at Soho Rep in 2018, Is God Is won three Obie Awards and earned Harris the American Playwriting Foundation’s Relentless Award, cementing the story as a standout in contemporary theater before its transition to screen.
Release Date
Is God Is will be released exclusively in theaters on May 15, 2026 and is rated R for strong/bloody violence and language.