Zola

Truth is stranger than fiction.

With a few exceptions, most “books are better than the movie.” So, what happens when a famously followed tweet storm becomes a Hollywood film?

In 2015, Hooters waitress and part-time stripper A’Ziah King tweeted a series of increasingly insane updates on her adventure to Florida to earn quick cash with another stripper she recently met. The girls’ trip (they are named Zola and Stephanie here) quickly goes downhill involving all the things you’ll find in the stereotypical stripper story — except somehow this isn’t your typical take.

The script, which mirrors the tweets in tone and content, was written by Tony-nominated playwright Jeremy O. Harris together with director Janicza Bravo (Lemon). Tweet-originator A’Ziah King is executive producer and collaborator on the film.

Credit each author’s ability to be in the middle of the story while somehow looking at it from afar, rolling eyes. and making us cackle at how crazy each situation is. Plus, major credit for big and small laughs go to Taylour Paige's (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) subtly-rewarding performance — and Riley Keough's over-the-top-with-extensions performance.

The film works at a brisk pace and totally works as both Friday night entertainment and affirmation of the power of a female gaze. While it arrives on TVs soon, much will be missed by not watching this in the theater. I got an extra kick out of the communal reaction to the eye rolls, some cover-your-eyes NSW moments, and the subtle performance of Paige — including a moment where she takes cleaning products to the pole.

In a nutshell: See it in the theater; don’t take the whole family.

Award potential: It will be included in some early lists for movie, actors, and screenplay as it’s one of few strong films at this point in the year. I don’t expect to hear any buzz nomination time next February — its best bet is adapted screenplay.

Where to find it: In theaters now and on-demand Friday, July 23.

The Ten Buck Review: Worth ten bucks.