The American Society of Magical Negros: Great Idea, Disastrous Execution

From its title alone, The American Society of Magical Negros sounds like it could be a bold, subversive satire with the potential to carve out a unique space in fantasy storytelling. Unfortunately, what unfolds on screen is a fumbled mess that can't seem to decide what it wants to be.

At first, the premise is exciting: a secret society of Black magicians working behind the scenes to protect and uplift Black Americans. But as the story unfolds, the film trips over itself with clumsy attempts at social commentary and humor that consistently fall flat. It's hard to even categorize this movie because it fails both as a fantasy adventure and as a satire.

Justice Smith’s casting as the protagonist feels like a misfire. Instead of bringing layered nuance to his character’s supposed struggle, he often comes across as whiny and irritating. This completely undermines the emotional stakes of the story. Meanwhile, David Alan Grier, a seasoned comedian and actor, is utterly wasted, relegated to a hollow, unfunny role.

The movie's ending is laughably bad, with a bizarre teaser for an expanded "magical universe" that feels utterly undeserved. There's no style, no focus, and certainly no magic here.