"Origin," directed by Ava DuVernay, promised an "unflinching look at oppression" but ended up as a frustrating and unengaging film that demonstrated a lack of understanding of social issues. The slow pacing, disjointed plot, and one-dimensional characters made it a tedious watch, with a talented cast unable to salvage the lack of character development. The film's overt symbolism and preachy dialogue replaced subtlety with an unnecessarily explicit approach, attempting to link three distinct social issues prevalent continents apart. This misguided attempt to evoke emotions only served to distract from the narrative. Even the initially praised cinematography felt gratuitous and self-indulgent. In the end, "Origin" not only fell short of its intentions but also showcased a missed opportunity for meaningful storytelling and a nuanced exploration of the complex societal issues it sought to address.
Review of Origin
