Queen & Slim (2019) is considered one of the best Black American movies because it powerfully captures the realities of race, love, resistance, and survival in a way that is both poetic and provocative. Directed by Melina Matsoukas and written by Lena Waithe, the film is not just a love story or a crime drama—it’s a statement. It paints a vivid portrait of what it means to be Black in America, especially when confronted with systemic injustice. The movie takes a tragic situation the killing of a police officer in self-defense and turns it into a modern 6 day escape journey that mirrors the struggles and fears many Black Americans face daily. What makes it truly stand out is how it merges romance, protest, and tragedy in one emotional, deeply human story.
The casting of Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith was absolutely perfect. Kaluuya, known for his intensity and emotional depth, brought a quiet strength and vulnerability to the character of Slim. His expressions, even in silence, spoke volumes. Jodie Turner-Smith delivered a breathtaking performance as Queen, carrying the character’s toughness, trauma, and later softness with grace and truth. The chemistry between them was raw and natural, as if their connection was written in their silence and glances. It’s hard to picture anyone else playing these roles, because they became Queen and Slim in every sense so effortlessly.
Although Queen & Slim is not based on a true story, it feels real because it is inspired by real events and the social reality of many Black people in America, especially when dealing with police violence. It reflects the emotional weight and frustration that come from seeing repeated injustice, bringing to mind names like Sandra Bland, Freddie Carlos Gray, Tamir Rice, Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. Even though the characters are fictional, their journey represents the pain, anger, and courage of a community that continues to cry out that “Black Lives Matter“.
The turning point in the movie comes when Queen and Slim, after managing to escape the law for days, are betrayed by a Black man driven by greed. For a reward, he gives away their location to the police. This act of betrayal from someone who looked like them is a painful reminder that even within the struggle, there are those who can be tempted by money and survival, even at the cost of others’ lives. This betrayal leads directly to their tragic death, making the end of the film even more heartbreaking and heavy.
Another powerful moment in the film is tied to a young boy named Junior(Jahi Di’Allo Winston), who becomes inspired by Queen and Slim and sees them as symbols of resistance. He takes an iconic photo of the couple while they are hiding, a picture that later spreads across the country and turns them into legends. However, Junior himself is influenced in a different way he ends up taking a violent action at a protest, showing how even a symbol of love and resistance can spark different reactions in a broken society. His photo captures Queen and Slim not as criminals, but as fighters, lovers, and Black heroes.
Queen & Slim is a film you can watch over and over and still feel something new each time. The music, the images, and the raw emotion leave a lasting impression. More than a movie, it is a voice, echoing the pain and pride of being Black in a world that often refuses to see the value of Black lives. Through its perfect casting and emotional storytelling, it stands proudly with the message: Black Lives Matter.
