"You don't escape trauma by ignoring it. You escape trauma by confronting it." In a film that shatters you with loss and picks you right back up with the sincerest care, Ava DuVernay somehow figures out a way to lead you through a rich exploration of the caste system while keeping the arc of the story completely in tact. The spotlight that is shown on self-proclaimed hierarchy throughout different cultures at different moments in history is just as cinematic as it is shockingly educational. The melodramatic sequences are balanced by a stunning score from Kris Bowers which urges you to feel every emotion with these characters. Though expansive, the cast is intimately connected through the performance of Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor. Whether it's the realistic portrayal of weighted sadness or the vigorous determination to successfully showcase a remarkable discovery, Ellis-Taylor is at the heart of humanizing every bit of this story. No sugarcoating, no beating around the bush, and no escape; "Origin" pays tribute to those who stand out, and by doing so, highlights the discomfort that it takes to make a continuous difference, rather than a temporary one.
Review of Origin
