RATING★ TBA
WORTH IT? NO
Single Black Female backdrop
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Expert Review & Ratings

See our full critical analysis and audience score for Single Black Female.

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WORTH WATCHING: MIXED
Editorial Verified

Is Single Black Female Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2009)

When her roommate is brutally murdered, a Beverly Hills singer posts a "roommate wanted" ad in hopes of keeping up payments on her sprawling mansion in this thriller starring Destiny's Child's Farrah Franklin. Karma (Franklin)'s roommate is dead, and in order to remain up on her mortgage payments she'll have to find someone that can move in fast. Though an ad in the paper gets many replies, most of the applicants range from exceptionally quirky to outright insane. Eventually Karma selects the beautiful Sky (Kelle Cantwell) as her new roommate. But Karma's manager Wesley (Charlie Adams) can't help but feeling that something very strange is happening in his client's lavish, and he's about to discover that even the rich and famous can harbor some seriously dark secrets.

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✨ The Quick Verdict

SKIP IT

If you are a fan of Thriller cinema, then Single Black Female offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 2009 landscape.

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👥 Target Audience

Fans of Thriller films
casual viewers seeking light entertainment

📔 Detailed Analysis

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Debuting in 2009, Single Black Female represents a sophisticated intersection of artistic ambition and genre-defining elements within the Thriller category. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into When her roommate is brutally murdered, a Beverly Hills singer posts a "roommate wanted" ad in hopes of keeping up payments on her sprawling mansion in this thriller starring Destiny's Child's Farrah Franklin. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Thriller are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "When her roommate is brutally murdered, a Beverly Hills singer posts a "roommate wanted" ad in hopes of keeping up payments on her sprawling mansion in this thriller starring Destiny's Child's Farrah Franklin. Karma (Franklin)'s roommate is dead, and in order to remain up on her mortgage payments she'll have to find someone that can move in fast. Though an ad in the paper gets many replies, most of the applicants range from exceptionally quirky to outright insane. Eventually Karma selects the beautiful Sky (Kelle Cantwell) as her new roommate. But Karma's manager Wesley (Charlie Adams) can't help but feeling that something very strange is happening in his client's lavish, and he's about to discover that even the rich and famous can harbor some seriously dark secrets."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Farrah Franklin does an admirable job with the material provided, but one can't help but feel that a more daring directorial approach would have yielded a more impactful result. It is a competent but ultimately standard genre performance.

The direction by Dale Stelly is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 80 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is Single Black Female truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Thriller, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, Single Black Female explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2009 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Dale Stelly respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, Single Black Female is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Farrah Franklin or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Single Black Female is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.

Official movieMx Verdict: INTERESTING - VIEW WITH CAUTION

⏳ Time Investment

80MIN

At approximately 1.3 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.

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