BAD HAIR | FILM REVIEW
Dir: Justin Simien (15, 103 mins)
A very bad hair day is had by all in this ludicrous but enjoyable horror comedy with a message. From the maker of Dear White People, Justin Siemien, this follows an ambitious music TV staffer with weave issues. Traumatised by a bad hair incident as a child that left bald patches, grownup Anna – played by a winning Elle Lorraine – wants a shot at hosting her own show on Culture Network. Her new boss, black supermodel Zora (Vanessa Williams), wants her staff to mix things up, and look different: out with the old, in with the new, and having raven tresses like boss Zora might help. The new head of the channel is very against the natural look and keen to axe the programme Hair Beat, hosted by Brook-Lynn ( a funny Lena Waithe). Out with natural black hair, in with conformity and white styles.
In an excruciating, wince-inducing scene, Lorraine gets her weave applied by Laverne Cox, gaining confidence and promotion but with a painful cost. The hair has a murderous life of its own – stabbing those in its way, flailing around like it’s in a permanent wind machine, restraining and snapping necks with its origins linked to exploitation from the days of slavery. The idea of fixing yourself, betraying your roots and conforming to a white norm is pushed by Simien amidst the pulp B-movie histrionics.
The body count rises, as do the Ring-esque hairdos. Medusas face off against each other as Lorraine realizes she’s not the only one with a demonic weave. Borrowing from many horror sources, from the Stepford Wives to the films of Jordan Peele, this is enjoyable schlock with a point, and commits to its possessed hair premise.
Out on Mon 5 July via digital platforms; Mon 12 July on DVD and Blu-Ray
words KEIRON SELF
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