Likely to get lost in the algorithm of other Netflix releases, They Cloned Tyrone may fall victim to yet another poor marketing move from the streaming service, and that would be a damn shame as this snazzy sci-fi flick could be a bonified classic for their brand.
Caught somewhere between being Jordan Peele’s next insane idea and a Black Mirror episode, director Juel Taylor’s They Cloned Tyrone pits the concept of a black community going up against the government, when an unlikely trio play detectives by following the trail of some rather nefarious activity, leading to believe those in their community are being brainwashed by some sort of higher power.
Its high-brow premise is a welcoming surprise, adding a sense of mystery to this Blaxploitation piece. It brings the style and swagger of the 70’s to the modern market, but provides its own personality and polish. Perhaps the biggest draw though would lie with its leading stars. With a career best performance from John Boyega as Fontaine, a Nancy Drew type in the memorable Yo-Yo (Teyonah Parris) and Jamie Foxx kitted with a wicked hairdo and an even cooler wardrobe and as much personality as a pompadoured pimp known as Slick Charles could possibly have.
Not everything is as narratively tight as I would have liked, and the further these key characters dig into their conspiracy, the more unhinged the whole thing becomes. There’s a sharpness to its script, and the social significance isn’t totally lost – even if the execution is elusively entertaining, but not every angle that this movie takes is a pay off of purpose or reaches its full potential.
Its socio-political subtext serves as a great backdrop for its otherwise goofy, Scooby Doo-esque mystery. A social satire that is smart enough to take risks even if its execution isn’t always flawless. Juel Taylor’s debut directional effort should find an audience despite the sheer lack of marketing from the streaming service its found a home in. There’s plenty going on in the box-office right now which is great to see, but do not avert your attention away from one of the biggest surprises of 2023 so far.
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