MASTER on Amazon Prime Video is a new horror movie that touches on some of the ever-relevant issues of racism and equality. Regina Hall is absolutely breathtaking in the title role. A strong feature debut from writer-director Mariama Diallo. Read our full Master movie review here!

MASTER is a new Prime Video horror movie. Or really, it’s a horror, thriller, drama genre-hybrid. The plot deals with racism and the kind of perceived equality that is often more for show than any real progress.

Obviously, comparisons to Jordan Peele’s Get Out is an obvious one, but this is a very different kind of story. Still, if you enjoy movies like Get Out, then you will definitely want to check out Master as well.

Continue reading our Master movie review below and find it on Prime Video from March 18, 2022.

Regina Hall is breathtaking

For me, Regina Hall alone is enough reason to watch Master on Prime Video. She delivers an intense and memorable portrayal. It makes me hope to see her in many more genre movies. Actually, this already happened with the Nine Perfect Strangers series. Still, it’s even more obvious how amazing she is, when watching her in this movie.

YOU MIGHT LIKE

Check out our review of the limited Hulu series Nine Perfect Strangers here >

Many will probably know Regina Hall more for the comedy, she has done. And for horror fans, the Scary Movie franchise might also ring a bell. After all, it spoofs all the most popular horror movies.

I’ve always liked Regina Hall in comedic roles, but she is so amazing in these dark and intense roles as well.

Master (2022) – Review | Thriller on Prime Video

Yes, this is a horror movie!

I have no doubt that some people will want to write this movie off as just another “woke” movie. And yes, it does point out some very real and still current issues with systemic racism and inequality in a multitude of ways. As long as some (far too many) people insist on still sleeping on these issues, woke movies are very relevant and necessary.

It’s how change happens and a change is still very much needed. Another movie released on the same day is another example of this. The movie is Alice and that one takes place in the 1970s. However, if you watch the two movies, you’ll realize that the progress made in the past 50 years is absolutely grotesque in terms of any real and lasting progress.

Having said that, I should also note that for horror fans, there are elements of something supernatural at play as well. So yes, this is very much a “real horror movie”.

Personally, I don’t think the supernatural elements (whether real or imagined) are necessary. The very real-life horror that unfolds is bad (as in scary) enough.

Watch Master in theaters or on Amazon Prime Video!

Mariama Diallo is the writer and director of Master which is a feature film debut for the filmmaker. Previously, she has worked on short films and series, so a feature film was an obvious next step. Seeing what she has created with this one, I am hoping for many more movies from her in the years to come.

For me, the movie shines and works the best, when the psychological horror is played up rather than anything supernatural. Obviously, that means I hope we’ll see more psychological horror from Mariama Diallo in her next projects.

Even if this isn’t entirely as strong as I wanted (in terms of storytelling), this is still a damn fine feature debut from writer-director Mariama Diallo. Also, did I mention that Regina Hall is absolutely breathtaking in the title role? Just kidding, I obviously know I did, but it bears repeating.

Master is out in theaters and globally on Prime Video from March 18, 2022.

Details

Director: Mariama Diallo
Writer: Mariama Diallo
Cast: Regina Hall, Zoe Renee, Talia Ryder, Talia Balsam, Amber Gray

Plot

Three women strive to find their place at a prestigious New England university whose frosty elitism may disguise something more sinister. Professor Gail Bishop (Regina Hall) has recently been promoted to “Master” of a residence hall, the first time at storied Ancaster College that a Black woman has held the post.

Determined to breathe new life into a centuries-old tradition, Gail soon finds herself wrapped up in the trials and tribulations of Jasmine Moore (Zoe Renee), an energetic and optimistic Black freshman. Jasmine’s time at Ancaster hits a snag early on when she’s assigned a dorm room that is rumored to be haunted.

Things get worse when Jasmine clashes in the classroom with Liv Beckman (Amber Gray), a professor in the middle of her own racially charged tenure review. As Gail tries to maintain order and fulfill the duties of a Master, the cracks begin to show in Ancaster’s once-immaculate facade.

After a career spent fighting to make it into Ancaster’s inner circle, Gail is confronted with the horrifying prospect of what lies beneath, her question ultimately becoming not whether the school is haunted, but by whom.

Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!
Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
Latest posts by Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard (see all)