Origin

Ava DuVernay asks the big questions in this sweeping drama

Jon Bernthal and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor look for connection in a world that divides in Ava DuVernay’s Origin.

Race is such a triggering word. It’s been used to politicize and demonize people and issues. But what does it mean? Is systemic racism really the cause of all issues facing modern society?

Isabel Wilkerson (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) would argue the term “race” is insufficient to encapsulate the issues. As she tried to reconcile the tragedy of Trayvon Martin with the historical issues facing Black Americans, like redlining and miscegenation laws, racism didn’t seem sufficient to explain what happened. She discovered connective tissue from communities around the world — all with widespread discriminatory practices, but not all done along racial lines.

Is the biggest problem facing our world in fact our tendency to enact caste systems?

Director Ava DuVernay has made a career of asking big questions and picking at threads of discrimination in society. In Origin, DuVernay takes on one of her most complex subjects: Explaining the complex work of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Wilkerson. But DuVernay goes beyond a recap of the book, she strives to add context from Wilkerson’s life as well. The result is a sweeping, sometimes uneven, epic meditation on race, love, caste, and the connective tissue between different societies.

It’s an ambitious task, but one that DuVernay tackles with her usual visual flare and tenderness. There are some absolutely stunning images captured as Origin examines stories outlined in Wilkerson’s research. DuVernay excels at highlighting humanity in horrifying situations. A moment where a nine-year-old child is kept from enjoying a pool with his friends is especially powerful. It’s in these moments that Origin and DuVernay work best — striking scenes that evoke strong emotions.

But while Origin is brimming with ideas, emotions, and conjectures, there are moments when the narrative feels jumbled. DuVernay bounces between Wilkerson’s personal life, Nazi Germany, the Jim Crow South, and India. You often have to let go of following the narrative and just allow the scenes to wash over you. Trust in DuVernay to tie it all together in the end. The trust won’t be misplaced, but it can still be frustrating to try to piece ideas together as quickly as the director cuts between scenes.

To help keep the narrative cogent, Ellis-Taylor functions as a conduit for the audience. We follow her as she pieces the thesis of Wilkerson’s book together. As such, Ellis-Taylor is more the host of a fascinating discussion group than a character, but Origin does attempt to weave her own story into the narrative. Wilkerson experienced an overwhelming amount of emotional upheaval as she worked on the book, and Ellis-Taylor does a beautiful job of showing how Wilkerson’s work saved her from grief and depression.

While Origin offers a lot of ideas and evidence, it feels less like a film and more like a really interesting college class. This film functions best when you watch it with a group, so you can discuss it afterward. Plan on grabbing dinner or coffee after watching, so that you can grapple with the concepts and questions it provokes. The film changes depending on who you see it with. I’ve seen it three times and had wildly different discussions with my moviegoing companions.

With Origin, DuVernay hopes to continue Wilkerson’s work. This film is a challenge to examine the world via a different lens. It’s also a movie that promotes talking, as examining our connections and experiences might be the best way to bring about real change in an increasingly chaotic world.  

Verdict: Ambitious and thought-provoking, Origin is more a call to act than a film.

Origin is rated PG-13 and is available in theaters January 19.