Reviews: Bad Hair (2020) Movie Review
Genres: Horror, Comedy, Music
Subgenres: Black Horror, Comedy, Possession, Slasher, Supernatural, Black Horror - Comedy, Campy, Cursed, Meta, Thrill Kill
Bad Hair (2020) shocked audiences with its ending. Our spoiler-free review explains the scares, themes, and what makes this film unforgettable.
Bad Hair (2020), directed by Justin Simien, is a unique blend of horror, satire, and social commentary that delves into the pressure Black women face to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards. The film follows Anna Bludso (Elle Lorraine), an ambitious young woman working in the image-obsessed world of 1989 music television, who decides to get a weave in order to advance her career. However, what starts as a seemingly harmless cosmetic enhancement soon turns into a nightmare, as Anna’s new hair has a mind of its own—literally.
Bad Hair (2020) – A Horror Satire with Sharp Commentary but Uneven Execution
With a premise that blends body horror, supernatural elements, and sharp cultural critique, Bad Hair aims to be a Jordan Peele-style blend of horror and social relevance. But does it succeed? Mostly—though not without some missteps.
Director and Main Cast
Directed by:
- Justin Simien (Dear White People) – Known for his ability to weave race, media, and social critique into engaging narratives, Simien brings his signature style to horror.
Main Cast:
- Elle Lorraine as Anna Bludso – A standout performance, carrying the film’s emotional and psychological weight.
- Vanessa Williams as Zora – A powerful and intimidating boss, representing the cutthroat nature of the entertainment industry.
- Laverne Cox as Virgie – A mysterious stylist who introduces Anna to her sinister new hair.
- Lena Waithe, Jay Pharoah, Kelly Rowland, and Blair Underwood – A strong supporting cast, adding both humor and menace.
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
An Ambitious Premise with Cultural Depth
At its core, Bad Hair is a horror-comedy that uses supernatural terror as a metaphor for real-life struggles Black women face regarding hair politics, identity, and workplace discrimination. The film is set in the 1989 world of music television, where executives dictate the beauty standards for on-air talent, reinforcing the idea that “natural” isn’t marketable.
- Anna is pressured into changing her look, believing that straight hair will help her succeed in the industry.
- Her weave, however, turns out to be cursed, leading to gruesome consequences.
- As her hair begins to control her actions, she loses her agency—mirroring the way societal beauty expectations strip women of their autonomy.
Anna Bludso – A Strong Lead Character
- Elle Lorraine delivers a subtle yet powerful performance, making Anna’s internal conflict palpable.
- Her growing paranoia and loss of control feel genuinely unsettling, grounding the film’s more absurd horror elements.
Vanessa Williams as Zora – The Perfect Villain
- Zora represents corporate oppression and conformity, pushing Anna to adopt a look that ultimately consumes her.
- Williams exudes power and menace, serving as a symbol of the industry’s toxic beauty expectations.
Acting and Cinematography
Performances That Elevate the Film
- Elle Lorraine is the film’s anchor, selling both Anna’s ambition and descent into horror.
- Nicolas Ashe, Blair Underwood, and Jay Pharoah add solid supporting performances, though some characters feel underdeveloped.
- Nicolas Cage-style campiness from some actors makes certain moments intentionally ridiculous—but it doesn’t always work.
Aesthetics and Cinematic Choices
- The film’s grainy, VHS-style cinematography captures the aesthetic of late-’80s horror films, adding a retro charm.
- Color grading and lighting help emphasize both the era and the eerie tone.
- Some of the CGI effects feel cheap, which distracts from the horror in key moments.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Unique and fresh horror concept—mixing Black hair politics with supernatural horror is genius.
- Strong lead performance from Elle Lorraine.
- Sharp social commentary on beauty standards and the entertainment industry.
- Visually striking, embracing retro horror aesthetics.
- Some genuinely creepy sequences—especially early on when Anna first realizes her hair is alive.
Weaknesses:
- Uneven tone—shifts between serious horror, camp, and satire without always blending them well.
- Some plot points feel underdeveloped, particularly the film’s third act.
- CGI is inconsistent, which makes certain horror elements less effective.
- Pacing issues—the film takes too long to get to the horror and then races through the climax.
In Conclusion – Is Bad Hair Worth Watching?
Who Will Enjoy This Movie?
- Fans of horror satire, particularly those who liked Get Out or They Cloned Tyrone.
- Viewers interested in films that explore race, beauty standards, and social issues.
- Fans of ‘80s/‘90s horror aesthetics, as the film pays homage to classics from the era.
Who Might Be Disappointed?
- Those expecting a full-blown horror movie—the film leans heavily into social satire.
- Viewers who dislike campy horror—some moments border on parody.
- Those who prefer tight storytelling—the plot loses focus in the final act.
Final Verdict & Score
Bad Hair (2020) is a thought-provoking horror satire that delivers sharp cultural critique but stumbles in execution. While its unique concept, strong lead performance, and unsettling moments make it worth watching, its inconsistent tone, pacing issues, and underwhelming climax prevent it from being a greathorror film.
Final Score: 6/10
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- Bad Hair Rating Scores
- Our Score: 6/10
- Overall Score: 5.96/10
- IMDB: 5.6/10
- MetaCritic: 6.0/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 6.2/10
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