Pariah

Synopsis

Pariah is a poignant coming-of-age drama that follows Alike, a fiercely independent African American teenager navigating her identity as a lesbian while growing up in Harlem. Directed by Dee Rees, the film intimately explores Alike's struggle for self-acceptance amidst the expectations of her conservative family and the challenges of adolescence. Adepero Oduye delivers a powerful performance as Alike, showcasing the nuanced emotional landscape of a young woman embracing her true self. The film's heartfelt narrative, combined with compelling storytelling and authentic characters, offers a moving portrayal of identity, belonging, and the courage it takes to live openly in a complex world.

Cast

• 

  Adepero Oduye

  Alike

• 

  Pernell Walker

  Laura

• 

  Wendell Pierce

  Arthur

• 

  Gameela Wright

  Audrey

• 

  DeWanda Wise

  Mika

• 

  Sahra Mellesse

  Sharonda

Reviews

Pariah received widespread critical acclaim for its honest and tender depiction of a young black lesbian's journey toward self-discovery. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a Certified Fresh rating of 92%, with critics praising its authentic storytelling and Adepero Oduye's standout performance. The consensus highlights the movie as "an intimate, beautifully acted story about a young woman embracing her identity." Metacritic gives Pariah a score of 79 out of 100, indicating generally favorable reviews, applauding Dee Rees' confident direction and the film's vibrant portrayal of Harlem's setting. The New York Times lauded it as "a sharply felt slice of life that captures the tenderness and challenges of adolescence with grace." Conversely, some critics noted that the film's pacing occasionally slowed, but these critiques were minor in light of the overwhelmingly positive reception. IMDb's user rating stands at 7.7/10, reflecting strong audience appreciation. Overall, Pariah is celebrated as a significant and heartfelt contribution to LGBTQ cinema and coming-of-age stories.