When a black couple goes on their first date to a late night diner, everything is as ordinary as it could be. Two individuals, talking, getting to know each other, and seeing where things will go. After they are done eating, they head into their car and drive off, wondering where their wheels will take them, until an unfortunate turn of events.

These two black individuals were soon pulled over by a white cop due to the lack of a turn signal. This innocent mistake turned into a gun being pulled on them, with a scuffle ensuing. In an act of self defense, the black man grabs the cop’s gun and shoots the cop in fear for his life. 

This is the beginning to the recent released Queen & Slim. Labeled as “cop killers”, the two go on the run which is the begging of a crazy run-away story that takes place in a quick two hours.  

The movie, made on a budget of roughly $18 million, and directed by Melina Matsoukas, received very positive reviews by a wide variety of critics: a seven out of ten on IMDb, 82 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 3.5 out of 4 by the New York Post. 

Bringing in political and controversial topics, the movie shines light on the sad fear that many African Americans have when being pulled over by the cops. 

Through the phenomenal acting of Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith, we are able to see happiness, sadness, fear, and all the emotions between these two individuals. I highly suggest seeing this movie and viewing it from the perspective of fearful African Americans in this day and age, with all the horrific stories of police brutality in the United States.