Built on promising ideas revolving around toxic relationships, exploitation of Black bodies, and a fading African heritage, Jagged Mind comes up with reasonably diverting genre thrills but stops short of taking advantage of the rich material it has at its fingertips. In getting caught up with its own premise, the film isn't able to craft a compelling enough journey for its protagonist to break free of the cycles she finds herself in. As a result, it becomes something that's fun to watch in the moment—thanks to some playful, misleading editing and a solid lead performance by Maisie Richardson-Sellers—but not something that leaves a lasting impression or makes a full, compelling statement.
Synopsis
When Billie finds herself reliving different versions of the same first date, she must break out of a series of loops created by her manipulative ex-girlfriend.
Storyline
A woman struggles to make sense of her hallucinations and failing memory after she starts a relationship with a mysterious new girlfriend.
TLDR
Early warning signs of a toxic, gaslighting partner #23615: wears a giant, blood-red jewel around her neck to a child's birthday party. Girl, run.
What stands out
No matter your feelings about the overall film, the big ideas that drive Jagged Mind are so intriguing that director Kelley Kali should only feel encouraged to keep on exploring these themes. Without giving anything away, the film leaves itself somewhat open-ended for a potentially even greater exploration of power and African-influenced magic. So for those whose enjoyment of a movie depends on how much it leaves them wanting more, Jagged Mind teases just enough to get you thinking about all the other places and situations that these characters could end up in after the credits roll.