Amazon's New R-Rated Mystery Thriller Debuts To Near-Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score

1 week ago 9

Published May 12, 2026, 8:07 PM EDT

Adam Bentz is a senior news writer at ScreenRant, where he has authored nearly 5,000 articles, including features and lists. He studied creative writing and English with a concentration in screenwriting at Southern New Hampshire University and interned as a writer/journalist for The Borgen Project, an influential organization that fights global poverty.

However, one of his proudest achievements is editing a Leonardo DiCaprio freakout compilation that has over 150K views on YouTube. Adam also fancies himself an amateur film reviewer on his website.

Amazon's new R-rated mystery thriller is burning bright with a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score.

Launched in 2010 as Amazon Studios before merging into Amazon MGM Studios in 2023, the studio has produced plenty of R-rated mystery and thriller movies over the years, such as A Simple Favor (2018), Suspiria (2018), The Report (2019), Saltburn (2023), Blink Twice (2024), and Another Simple Favor (2025) – many of them critically acclaimed. Now, Amazon's new R-rated mystery thriller is also killing it with critics.

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Ahead of its release in a few days, Is God Is has debuted to a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score. Written and directed by Aleshea Harris in her feature debut, based on her own 2018 play, the film follows twin sisters who, scarred by severe burns inflicted by their abusive father, are instructed by their bedridden mother to kill him, forcing them to choose between revenge and forgiveness.

Now, ahead of its theatrical release on May 15, Is God Is has debuted with a 96% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The film has 25 reviews at the time of writing, so its score could fluctuate as more are published. Its audience score will also start to take shape once the movie releases in theaters.

The cast includes Kara Young, Mallori Johnson, Oscar and Emmy nominee Sterling K. Brown (American Fiction, This Is Us, Paradise), Vivica A. Fox, Janelle Monáe, Erika Alexander, Mykelti Williamson, and Josiah Cross.

In ScreenRant's Is God Is review, Josh Bate rates the film eight out of 10 stars and claims that "Sterling K. Brown gives [a] career best performance in [the] revenge thriller... This directorial debut about two sisters out for revenge on their father is stylish, twisted, and sure to captivate audiences when it hits theaters." He continues:

Harris’ excellent work extends to the visuals as well. In an era when so many films are aesthetically bland and unappealing, Is God Is stands out.

Overall, critics describe Is God Is as a fierce and visually striking debut driven by rage, grief, and revenge. Many highlight Aleshea Harris' bold direction – calling the film electrifying, chaotic, and emotionally charged – with standout performances that amplify its raw intensity and focus on Black women's experiences and generational trauma.

At the same time, some note the uneven adaptation from the stage to screen, but still, most find it compelling and original. The mix of dark humor, violence, and mythic storytelling leaves a strong impression, with reviewers calling Is God Is a daring and unforgettable exploration of revenge and identity.