The unspoken system that has shaped America and chronicles how lives today are defined by a hierarchy of human divisions.The unspoken system that has shaped America and chronicles how lives today are defined by a hierarchy of human divisions.The unspoken system that has shaped America and chronicles how lives today are defined by a hierarchy of human divisions.
- Awards
- 6 wins & 29 nominations
Niecy Nash
- Marion Wilkerson
- (as Niecy Nash-Betts)
Isha Blaaker
- Allison Davis
- (as Isha Carlos Blaaker)
Suraj Yengde
- Suraj Yengde, Ph.D.
- (as Suraj Yengde PhD)
Mike Topoozian
- Sales Executive
- (as Mike 'Spike' Topoozian)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaA Washington Post article titled "Budgets for 'prestige' films dried up. So Ava DuVernay found a new way." was released on 12/4/23; it details how DuVernay financed the film partly through grants, including from the Ford Foundation, which enabled her to make a bigger film.
- GoofsWhen Brett and Isabel are riding in the Audi, the speedometer is at zero and doesn't move.
- SoundtracksI Am
Written by Stan Walker, Michael Fatkin, Vince Harder, Te Kanapu Anasta
Performed by Stan Walker
Produced by Michael Fatkin
Courtesy of Aki Aki, Sony Music Group, Universal Publishing Group, Harder Music Group
Featured review
Unveils the deep roots of injustice
Ava DuVernay's Origin isn't a conventional biopic. It's the story of Isabel Wilkerson's (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor's) intellectual journey as she writes her ground-breaking book, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, published in 2020. We see Wilkerson grapple with personal loss while meticulously researching and weaving together the insidious threads of racism that bind seemingly disparate historical events-American slavery, the Holocaust, and India's caste system.
The film's greatest strength lies in its ambition. It tackles weighty themes without shying away from unflinching honesty. Brutal historical reenactments punctuate Wilkerson's personal journey, forcing us to confront the ugly truths about humanity's capacity for cruelty. This approach can feel jarring at times, but it undeniably leaves a mark.
Origin stumbles a bit in its execution. The narrative structure can be disjointed, jumping between timelines and locations. While this reflects Wilkerson's own intellectual process, it sometimes left me feeling a tad disoriented. The film also leans heavily on dialogue, with some scenes feeling overly didactic. Think history lesson, not edge-of-your-seat thriller.
That said, the acting is uniformly strong. Ellis-Taylor delivers a powerhouse performance, capturing Wilkerson's unwavering determination and vulnerability with equal measure. The supporting cast, including Connie Nielsen as a sceptical German intellectual, adds depth to the exploration of these complex issues.
Visually, Origin is mostly a muted affair. The colour changes for present, flashbacks, historical events, and fictionalised episodes. The camerawork is steady and unobtrusive, putting the focus squarely on the characters and their stories. The score, a blend of melancholic strings and understated percussion, complements the emotional weight of the film.
While Origin doesn't quite reach the heights of DuVernay's best work, it's still a compelling and thought-provoking film. It's a film that will stay with you, prompting reflection and perhaps even uncomfortable conversations.
Origin isn't easy to watch. It's a movie that demands your attention and confronts you with uncomfortable truths. But if you're up for a challenging and ultimately rewarding cinematic experience, then this film is worth your time. Just be prepared to grapple with some heavy material.
The film's greatest strength lies in its ambition. It tackles weighty themes without shying away from unflinching honesty. Brutal historical reenactments punctuate Wilkerson's personal journey, forcing us to confront the ugly truths about humanity's capacity for cruelty. This approach can feel jarring at times, but it undeniably leaves a mark.
Origin stumbles a bit in its execution. The narrative structure can be disjointed, jumping between timelines and locations. While this reflects Wilkerson's own intellectual process, it sometimes left me feeling a tad disoriented. The film also leans heavily on dialogue, with some scenes feeling overly didactic. Think history lesson, not edge-of-your-seat thriller.
That said, the acting is uniformly strong. Ellis-Taylor delivers a powerhouse performance, capturing Wilkerson's unwavering determination and vulnerability with equal measure. The supporting cast, including Connie Nielsen as a sceptical German intellectual, adds depth to the exploration of these complex issues.
Visually, Origin is mostly a muted affair. The colour changes for present, flashbacks, historical events, and fictionalised episodes. The camerawork is steady and unobtrusive, putting the focus squarely on the characters and their stories. The score, a blend of melancholic strings and understated percussion, complements the emotional weight of the film.
While Origin doesn't quite reach the heights of DuVernay's best work, it's still a compelling and thought-provoking film. It's a film that will stay with you, prompting reflection and perhaps even uncomfortable conversations.
Origin isn't easy to watch. It's a movie that demands your attention and confronts you with uncomfortable truths. But if you're up for a challenging and ultimately rewarding cinematic experience, then this film is worth your time. Just be prepared to grapple with some heavy material.
helpful•20
- steveinadelaide
- Apr 5, 2024
- How long is Origin?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $38,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $4,689,830
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $117,063
- Dec 10, 2023
- Gross worldwide
- $4,818,576
- Runtime2 hours 21 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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