Master Parent Guide

At Ancaster, a predominantly white college, freshman Jasmine (Zoe Renee) is struggling to fit in as the only Black student in her cohort while also adjusting to the rigors of college level schoolwork. At the same time, tenured professor Gail Bishop (Regina Hall) has just been named the master of Belleville Hall, a very old historical house on campus. While both women struggle with casual and pointed racism, there also seems to be something more sinister haunting the halls of the school.

Master is an ambitious and thought-provoking thriller/social commentary with a lot to say. And for the most part, it succeeds. Unfortunately, first time director Mariam Diallo’s inexperience stops the movie from reaching the heights that it had the potential to hit. There are some plot points that go nowhere, and some odd editing choices that disrupt the tension and cause some pacing issues. I think that Diallo was aiming for ambiguity in the story, which I can appreciate, but we end up with scenes that serve no purpose, or at the very least serve as metaphors that don’t go anywhere.

Luckily for audiences, the actors are all fantastic, which makes the experience worthwhile. But the truly outstanding aspect of this film is in the overall message, or perhaps allegory. Racism and historical wrongs are the ghosts that haunt the school and, by extension, America. The everyday, casual racism that both Jasmine and Gail face is not over the top; it’s realistic because of its subtlety and relentlessness. It is everyday bias that haunts the school: the institutional discrimination, the culture of privilege, and the lack of meaningful action. Gail is tokenized as an example of how “diverse” the school is and how the institution is moving in the right direction, but the administration fails to do anything when a burning cross is found on the quad or when someone hangs a noose on Jasmine’s door. The real horror isn’t ghosts, it’s racism.

The effectiveness of the allegory makes this a worthwhile watch for people who want to engage in the subject matter. However, the amount of swearing and underage substance use makes this a poor choice for teens. With a little polishing, Master could have been phenomenal. The masterful allegory and messaging are notable, though it is lacking in some of the more cinematic qualities that could make it great.