dope

The film Dope can be best described by Kendrick Lamar's album title, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. The film follows a few days in the life of Malcolm, a young Black boy growing up in Los Angeles who is obsessed with 90s hip-hop culture, excels academically, and dreams of getting into Harvard. Despite his nerdy and unconventional demeanor, Malcolm (Shameik Moore) finds himself entangled in the chaotic world of drugs, gangs, and street life after a chance encounter at a party leads to him unknowingly ending up with a challenging predicament.

As Malcolm and his equally geeky best friends, Diggy and Jib, attempt to navigate the dangers of their neighborhood while maintaining their individuality, Dope delivers a fresh and humorous coming-of-age story. The film cleverly subverts stereotypes, showing that Black youth can exist outside of the limited narratives often portrayed in mainstream media.

Directed by Rick Famuyiwa, Dope blends comedy, drama, and social commentary, highlighting the struggles of being a young Black teen trying to escape the cycle of violence and low expectations placed upon him. With a unique visual style, a killer soundtrack featuring hip-hop legends, and a breakout performance from Moore, Dope is a vibrant and thought-provoking film that resonates with audiences looking for a different take on the modern Black experience.