User Reviews

I didn't know what this movie was gonna be about I just thought the name was funny. It's starts off awkward, seemed like a typical role for Justice Smith. I was hoping it was gonna have some grandeur to it, I was expecting a really funny black Harry Potter maybe. The premise is a little weird, maybe racist too. And I don't think the movie as a whole was executed well.

I had a couple laughs. Like how they couldn't figure out a better way to design a secret entrance in the barber shop. The speech he gave about the magical society and sharks was hilariously bad. I kept comparing this to American fiction, very unfavorably. It felt like that's what they were trying to do. Felt like it could be funnier. The story and its characters took everything seriously even though the premise felt extremely silly.

Throughout the movie, I was inundated with waves of second-hand embarrassment and awkwardness. The premise relies heavily on white discomfort, well I'm black and I was like "ugh, no" a lot. The movie felt inconsistent, with some scenes seeming okay, as if they belonged in a better film, while others gave me the urge to scream "nooo!!" even louder than Charles Leclerc in France. The final speech was particularly dreadful, it was out of the blue, replete with cringe-inducing moments and also unjustified based off what we saw of the character. He was simply a socially awkward guy, period. It had nothing to do with him being black. The collective sighs of "oh no" from the audience were frequent. I shouldn't say the audience, there were only like 5 other people in the theatre. A lot of scenes were hard to watch.

However, I did like the romantic bits, which could have easily formed the basis of a separate film. I'd certainly be keen to watch a cheesy romcom starring Justice Smith and An Li Bogan.

There were a few bits that I liked, that made me laugh, but this could've been so much better, or maybe not even made at all lol. I don't think the movie had any meaning behind it that it conveyed successfully. I think if I liked the movie, I'd have maybe liked the ending. Instead I thought "oh no, there's gonna be another one."

I love David Alan Grier and pretty much anything that has to do with magic/fantasy so I thought I'd give this a try. Big mistake. Aside from the fact that the film is obviously celebrating blatant racism masked as anti-racist satire, the story wasn't good, the acting was (overall) subpar and even the special effects left to be desired.

If you're looking for something good that will scratch this itch, rewatch the Harry Potter films. Take another turn with Lord of the Rings and then, of course, the Hobbit. Heck, even the Merlin show on BBC would be a solid choice. This film is part of the problem.

There's only so many times you can repeat the same 'white people so fragile' joke before it gets stale, and The American Society of Magical Negroes forms its entire foundation around it. It says absolutely nothing new or profound about racism, and right from the jump, you know exactly where it's headed. The new recruit, played by Justice Smith, has to tend to a white male who's down on his luck, and he meets an Armenian woman in a coffee shop and falls in love with her. In order to keep the white man happy, the recruit must surrender his feelings in order to make his white client happier, lest he ends up destroying the entire foundation the Society is set upon.

I was in the auditorium with one other man, and not a single one of us were genuinely entertained by what was going on (the other dude was just messing around on his phone). I ended up walking out an hour in because I knew where it was going and it wasn't going to get any better, and I highly suggest staying as far away from this one as possible.

I was hoping to atleast get a couple laughs or see some interesting/fresh takes on black American culture; I was sadly disappointed. I expected so little and was still so let down. I'm mostly confused as to why anyone who want they names attached to such a stupid, ignorant, devisive and hateful script. I'm trying to think of a single redeeming feature of this film... the acting was ok even good at times and the direction wasn't bad. That's all I got.

I do not recommend. Don't waste your time. It's not even worth the watch for the lulz or for watching a train wreck.

It's soul sucking to any decent human being, maybe this should be used down in Gitmo for torture?

The very premise of the movie would suggest it's going to be a comedy, maybe something that addresses racism in a way that everyone can still enjoy. Something akin to "blazing saddles" would have made this movie worth watching. Instead you are left with a movie with a million logic gaps, no real humor, no action and nothing close to witty dialogue. Feels more like somebody took their inspiration from a 4 year old complaining about things they don't understand and making suggestions that do not make sense. If I could give this movie a negative star rating I would, instead I'm left giving it a 1 star rating as that is the lowest rating I can give.

I'm really shocked ANYONE at ANY POINT thought this script was a good idea. It's one of those films that makes you uncomfortable - not due to the tropes they included, but because of the fact that this is just lazy lazy LAZY writing!

Any sort of movement forward has been pushed back by decades thanks to the 'brain trust' that came up with this garbage. It's 2024 - we're better than this, aren't we?

The premise of this whole film is insulting to our people - in ALL regards. The fact that it bombed at the box office is of no shock - nor should it be to anyone who saw it. Thank goodness we have American Fiction; at least that spectacular film made its point w/o being ridiculous .

Could a movie possibly be any LESS aware of what's going on in the country? Did someone really think it was the right time to make this? Who would fund this and why?

How unbelievably inappropriate.

Do they not realize that in order to MAKE this movie they needed access to the ACTUAL magic of FILM and cinema? Technology and methods that were invented in Europe. The actual real life magic of cinema HAS improved EVERYONE'S lives. It is something to be shared and appreciated by ALL. Movies like this serve to, once again, separate and divide. Tragic.

The absolute hypocrisy of this movie is honestly astounding. This will gain ZERO support for the cause it's trying to validate. If anything, this is counter intuitive.

We need more of Jordan Peele and less of these ridiculously self serving fabricated fantasies of toxic filmmakers.

The movie, distributed jointly by Focus Features and Universal Pictures, examines the problematic "Magical Negro" stereotype prevalent in 20th-century American cinema. Coined by filmmaker Spike Lee, this trope portrays Black supporting characters whose only role is to advance the narratives of white protagonists. The movie investigates the symbolism behind this trope, challenging societal norms that prioritize white comfort over the autonomy and value of Black lives. He imaginatively depicts a world where being a Magical Negro is a profession, employing humor to foster dialogue on challenging topics. I do applaud the exploration of subject matter.

I saw the trailer for this epic failure at least a couple months ago. Went to the cheapie matinee with a friend. Charging a penny for this horrific film is criminal. No spoilers here as you can't spoil rotten.

There was no evidence of any kind of "satire" in this film. IMHO it was intended to be somewhat mean spirited. Professional comedians might have been able to pull off a film with this name but not this cast of misfits.

If you DO want to watch a film that illustrates the stupidity of racism, may I suggest the masterpiece "Blazing Saddles". Of course that was written by professional comedians and outstanding comic writers/directors/producers. (Mel Brooks, Richard Pryor, Andrew Bergman, Alan Uger, etc..).

BTW my friend and I were the only people dumb enough to shell out money for this. (The theatre was empty). Well, at least the popcorn was good.

For me The American Society of Magical Negroes was metaphor about dealing about handling micro aggressions which is a massive health problem for people of colour and highlighting the solutions between old fashioned techniques and present day climate of being upfront.

The character leads art work is the key in this film: resonate with his artwork and art process, you will love the movie

As for the romantic aspect it's reminded me of Barry Jenkins earlier films like Medicine for Melonconly

Also saw strong connection with meet Joe black, another brilliant film that has been misunderstood

For some reason people want this film to be something that it's not.

The film biggest flaw has been the way it was been mis-marketed

I would give it a strong 7.5 but 10/10 for making a film around this movie trope.

This film will be seen in a different light in the years to come.

This movie is not as bad as the 1-star reviewers would have you believe. Reading those reviews it's clear they missed the point - "It's Not the Shark, It's the Water." That said, I think the movie would have done better as a stage play, or maybe with a slightly larger budget it could have been a good limited-run TV show like "Woke" on Hulu.

It's set up like your standard romantic comedy starting with an awkward meet-cute, but then there's a lot of talking - a lot of heartfelt conversations, lots of exposition, a chaotic monologue...little was done to spice things up. Sorry guys but a clearly ADR touched up walk and talk through Echo Park isn't gonna cut it in 2024.

Admittedly, this is not a movie for everyone. If you're not prepared for a slow satirical comedy this movie will frustrate you. If you don't "get" satire, this movie will frustrate you. It's an obvious wink and a nod to certain demographics, and if you know, you know, and if you don't, this movie might make you feel uncomfortable. ;)

Watched this at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

This is the kind of movie where it has an interesting premise and it could have explored interesting satirical themes and ideas but instead, the filmmaker doesn't really offer much with any creative outlooks and follows cliched and uninteresting tropes.

Kobi Libii has a concept that could have been interesting but his bland direction and the unambitious tones really create a hollow and investing story with dull cliche tropes, uninteresting characters and weak performances from the cast members. I like Justice Smith and Smith is trying his best but unfortunately his dull character and the poor dialogue really lacks his performance. Throughout, I found myself feeling bored and thinking that this movie could have been at least interesting if the filmmaker had thought about actually trying to add something that feels weird or unique. But that's not what I got. Instead, what I got was more of a dull and uninspired narrative that really wastes the talented cast and concepts.

What a shame.

TERRIBLE TERRIBLE TERRIBLE. And yes, prejudice. Unfortunately some art creates what it intended to oppose. This is a movie idea that a first year college student talks to his friends about making. I cant believe it got funded!!! Someone doesnt understand investments. David AG was the Carlton of In living color. Bring back damon waynes! This movie i though would be funny. It is as deep and provocative as a "" hood book. If you try to like it and end up liking it, congrats, you just had an aneurysm !

The acting??? Ok, that was not terrible. They should fire there agents and they will be back on screen. Or... pool their resources and create something original that isnt rooted in ego frar.

The American Society of Magical Negroes T(ASOMN) is a film that fails to deliver on multiple fronts.

One of the primary issues with TASOMN is its lackluster storyline. The plot is riddled with clichés and predictable twists, making it difficult for viewers to stay engaged. The film attempts to tackle 'sensitive' themes but it does so in a superficial and often clumsy manner. The lack of depth in exploring these themes leaves much to be desired and results in a film that feels more like a missed opportunity than a meaningful commentary.

The performances in the film are another area where it falls short. While the cast may have had potential and if they did their talents are not utilized effectively. The characters are one-dimensional and lack the complexity needed to make them relatable or memorable. This is particularly disappointing given the film's attempt to address significant social issues. The lackluster performances fail to evoke any response making it challenging to connect with the characters or their struggles.

Furthermore, the film's pacing is inconsistent, with some scenes dragging on unnecessarily while others feel rushed. This uneven pacing disrupts the flow of the narrative and further detracts from the viewing experience. The dialogue often feels forced and unnatural, which, combined with the subpar performances, makes the interactions between characters unconvincing.

In terms of technical aspects, TASOMN does not fare much better. The cinematography is uninspired. The film's score is forgettable, failing to enhance the mood or add any emotional depth to the scenes.

TASOMN is a film that fails to deliver anything of value. Its attempt to address 'social issues' is undermined by a weak storyline, poor performances, and lackluster execution.

Preachy film that has no idea what it wants to be.

The editing was sloppy, the character motivations were unwarranted.

This movie is about 5 years too late and made by someone who is not too competent as a filmmaker (yet) I had a few chuckles, but then it just became absolutely boring, and it just switched Genres and became a lot more boring.

Damn as I write this movie I just dropped another Star. The Writer director should have experimented more with the concept before making this. It's amateurish and film school level. Didn't make sense. The ending ruined it times 2.

Really bad experience watching this.

I almost didn't take the time to watch this movie streaming on Peacock. The title sure is attention-getting but so many negative reviews and low votes made me hesitant. But I decided to give it 10 minutes, then became invested, and am happy to say the movie is very good, unique, inventive, witty and entertaining. Plus it makes you think.

So why all the bad reviews and low votes? I can only speculate but I believe it is because it hits too close to home and many people feel uncomfortable with the message, that for their own safety black people must keep white people feeling comfortable. But keep in mind it is satire. With a message.

It immediately reminded me of older movies like Will Smith in "Bagger Vance" and Morgan Freeman in "Driving Miss Daisy", plus several others, which represented these sorts of characters.

In this movie Justice Smith plays Aren, a black man, an artist, who often feel invisible. He isn't mistreated, he is just ignored. He gets recruited into this magical society, he is assigned a client, a white man, he must help him feel good about himself and not interfere with anything. That gets hard when both of them get romantic feelings towards their same coworker. Aren has to make a decision, will he remain faithful to his magical assignment, or will he decide to be true to himself?

I was afraid that the last half hour or so would be a disappointment but it wasn't. It concluded with progress on Aren's part, plus additional whimsy and additional magic.

I know it isn't for everyone but the 2/3 of "1" votes are bogus. Strip all those away and what you have left are mostly ratings of "6" or "7."

The movie starts off with an interesting idea, hinting at a break from the usual and regular storylines. Yet, it makes you think: are we just going in circles, fixing old mistakes only to make new ones? This theme suggests a deeper exploration, but the film doesn't quite deliver.

Despite the promising start, the movie falls short. It relies too heavily on clichés and doesn't develop its characters well. The focus on a magical team feels like a missed opportunity for more meaningful storytelling. Instead, it drifts into familiar territory, resembling the melodrama of daytime TV.

However, the movie manages to redeem itself with a surprising small twist at the end. It catches you off guard and adds a touch of humor to an otherwise mediocre story. This comedic turn provides a welcome break from the predictability and leaves a lasting impression.

IT IS A SATIRE. So everybody Get Over It!!!

Did I see a different movie from all these reviewers ( did you guys even see all of this movie). You can read a 100 bad reviews but here are a few good points. The movie starts as a satire becomes a romcom, has a poignant rant and ends on a high note. Good chemistry between male and female leads. A shout out to RISD and Cornell. The movie is insulting to Blacks and Whites but look for the truth here. You do not have to like it just consider it before discarding the idea of what each of us owes to another.

This movie says what all good people want is to be recognized for who they are and what they can become.

Now 3 steps back just for the power to be a magical house...... well you figure out the rest. I'm shocked that this movie was made and aired. David "Really, Go to time out!" I can now kiss that job promotion goodbye, because my boss my just leave my magical talents where they are so they can be happy. As a fictional comedy this movie has really played with limits. In my opinion, I believe that was the attended purpose. What a fun way to play around with the topic, but the message was still degrading. "REALLY, David!" Now I can skip every IN LIVING COLOR SHOW with David in them. Now I cant even look at him.

Saw this movie recently and thought it was really good!! Not sure why there is so many negative reviews. Justice Smith is perfect in capturing the awkwardness of someone hyper aware of their surroundings and how they could be affecting other people. I found this movie funny, just have to pay attention. I think people were expecting this to be like Harry Potter, but really it's more like Dear White People with a bit of magic added in the best way possible. In it's essence, it's a story of how someone realizes their self worth beyond the views of others racial biases. I would definitely watch this movie again and I hope more give it a chance.

I think this was sold on the catchy title. While it definitely has a bit of a racist concept I think the writer was hoping for some sort of cult following and some sort of deep commentary on race relations.

But everything about this movie is so so boring.

So much talking I assume to allow some "deep" philosophical statements.

Incredibly bland scenes.

The start feels like is it inspired from MIB.

Has some good actors who are running on autopilot. I think the director must have told them to remove 95% of the personality from their performance.

The director who is also the writer is a shocker, nothing works, just setups for lame jokes that all fall flat. I assume the director/writer thinks they are clever.

The surprising thing is that this actually got released, it obviously didn't cost that much so I assume it was the racial undertones of the title which meant nobody in the release chain said no way. This is not even a student project level quality.

I love David Allen Grier and Justice Smith and I love their chemistry. This movie did get slow at times, but it did bring things to my attention that I had been previously unaware of. I had such little understanding of what black peoples lives were like on a daily basis and how much discrimination they have to deal with. BLM opened my eyes to a lot and this movie helps further that. I'm baffled by the copious amounts of bad reviews. I wouldn't watch this again, but I'm glad I did once. Things have to change and even though this movie didn't get a great reception it's an important step forward. Keep talking about uncomfortable things, because that's the only way things will change.

I'm not sure what the point or lesson was suppose to be, but as a black person I kept praying this was a joke and that the real "Society of Magical Negroes" would reveal itself. No matter your race, it's a cringe fest. I felt somewhat embarrassed for the actors. The characters in the story line were a little flat and one dimensional. There were so many wasted opportunities for a thoughtful look at an uncomfortable conversation. The final speech was weak and so melodramatic it lost its true meaning. I struggle to believe the writer was serious about this. If this was suppose to be satire, this also was an epic fail.

I want to clarify that my dislike of this movie has absolutely zero to do with the message. I am fully behind it. Racism is still alive and well. Everyone deserves freedom, dignity and justice.

As for the movie itself... I just wasn't a fan. They take an interesting premise and do very little with it. This turns into a fully standard love story. The romance plot isn't bad, but it takes a fantastical idea and turns it into a run-of-the-mill relationship drama we've seen a million times.

As for the comedy, I laughed a decent amount. But it wasn't enough to keep me invested in the uninteresting story. I didn't hate watching this, but I don't personally recommend it.

(1 viewing, 4/3/2024)