Watch trailer for Zola

Zola

2020, Comedy/Mystery & thriller, 1h 27m

250 Reviews 250+ Verified Ratings

What to know

Zola captures the stranger-than-fiction appeal of the viral Twitter thread that inspired it -- and announces director/co-writer Janicza Bravo as a filmmaker to watch. Read critic reviews

The sudden ending may leave some unsatisfied, but high energy, a distinctive look, and some solid acting make this trip worth taking. Read audience reviews

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Zola Videos

How the ‘Zola’ Cast and Creators Turned a Viral Tweet Thread Into the Summer’s Most Talked-About Movie photo 1

How the ‘Zola’ Cast and Creators Turned a Viral Tweet Thread Into the Summer’s Most Talked-About Movie

Zola: Trailer 1 photo 2

Zola: Trailer 1

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Zola Photos

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Movie Info

"Y'all wanna hear a story about why me & this bitch here fell out? It's kind of long but full of suspense." Thus began the odyssey of one A'Ziah King, aka ZOLA. From acclaimed writer/director Janicza Bravo, Zola's stranger than fiction saga, which she first told in a now iconic series of viral, uproarious tweets, comes to dazzling cinematic life. Zola (Taylour Paige), a Detroit waitress, strikes up a new friendship with a customer, Stefani (Riley Keough), who seduces her to join a weekend of dancing and partying in Florida. What at first seems like a glamorous trip full of "hoeism" rapidly transforms into a 48-hour journey involving a nameless pimp, an idiot boyfriend, some Tampa gangsters and other unexpected adventures in this wild, see-it-to-believe-it tale.

Rating: R (Graphic Nudity|A Sexual Assault|Language Throughout|Strong Sexual Content|Violence)
Genre: Comedy, Mystery & thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Director: Janicza Bravo
Producer: Christine Vachon, David Hinojosa, Gia Walsh, Kara Baker, Vince Jolivette, Elizabeth Haggard, Dave Franco
Writer: Janicza Bravo, Jeremy O. Harris
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 30, 2021 wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 14, 2021
Runtime: 1h 27m
Distributor: A24
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Taylour Paige

Zola

Riley Keough

Stefani

Nicholas Braun

Derrek

Colman Domingo

X

Ari'el Stachel

Sean

Jason Mitchell

Dion

News & Interviews for Zola

Awards Leaderboard: Top Movies of 2021

Awards Leaderboard: Top Movies of 2021

2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominations

2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominations

The 88 Most Anticipated Movies of 2021

The 88 Most Anticipated Movies of 2021

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Critic Reviews for Zola

All Critics (250) | Top Critics (68) | Fresh (220) | Rotten (30)

Full Review… Dwight Brown National Newspaper Publishers Association

Full Review… Sandra Hall Sydney Morning Herald

Full Review… Simran Hans Monocle

Full Review… Guy Lodge Film of the Week

Full Review… Christina Newland iNews.co.uk

Full Review… Wendy Ide Observer (UK)

Full Review… David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel

Full Review… Dallas King Flick Feast

Full Review… Zoë Rose Bryant Loud and Clear Reviews

Full Review… Sarah Ward Concrete Playground

Full Review… Dan Bayer Next Best Picture

Full Review… James Croot Stuff.co.nz

View All Critic Reviews (250)

Audience Reviews for Zola

Oct 08, 2021

This is a movie that understands that nothing is more strange and surreal than real life. Everyone in this is perfectly cast.

Super Reviewer
Jul 26, 2021

Do The Hustlers – Film Review: Zola ★★★★ Call me wary when I went to see a movie based on a viral twitter thread and directed by Janicza Brava, whose Sundance Award-winning short, Gregory Go Boom, proved to be not only tone deaf but downright offensive towards people with disabilities. Her new film, Zola, excels however, in ways her prior work has not. Taylour Paige, a standout in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, plays the title character, a stripper who meets Stefani (Riley Keough) one night and is convinced to travel with her down to Florida where they can make a lot of money dancing all weekend. Things, however, do not go as planned, with Zola's story escalating from one insane twist after another. Paige and Keough are outstanding, as are Nicholas Braun and Colman Domingo as their traveling companions. Jason Mitchell, so great in Straight Outta Compton and Mudbound, brings a wild, dangerous energy, something he shares with the film itself. It comes across as The Florida Project meets Hustlers, but with its own surreal, unexpected tone. I laughed out loud often, especially with Paige's loopy reactions to her surroundings and the giddy, zippy energy on display. Zola chews you up, twerks on your face, and spits you out, exhausted yet anxious to see whatever this talented group of people will do next.

Super Reviewer

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