Trust me, you won’t hate The Hate U Give

BY: ALAINA H.

Photography: Fair Use

On October 5, 2018, The Hate U Give, based off of the best-selling novel by Angie Thomas, premiered in theaters. This past weekend, I got to see the film for myself. Not having finished the book prior to seeing the movie, I was able to experience the story for the first time on the big-screen.

The film follows the journey of Starr Carter (Amandla Stenberg), an African-American teenager growing up in Garden Heights. Although she grows up in what those outside of her community consider the “ghetto,” Starr attends a prestigious private school outside of town. When Starr witnesses the murder of her friend, a young black male, by a police officer, her world is turned upside down and her journey towards empowerment begins.

Amandla Stenberg (Starr Carter) beautifully brings to life the main character of the novel, presenting her as a strong and empowered teenager that the audience can’t help but root for. KJ Apa, who many may recognize from his breakout role in the Netflix drama Riverdale, is casted as Starr Carter’s boyfriend, Chris. Apa’s performance brought a youthful and fun aspect to the film, and won over the hearts of the audience.

The Hate U Give, brought attention to issues within American society regarding racial discrimination and police brutality. There is a scene in which the residents of Garden Heights flood the streets in protest, demanding equality for the black community. The moment directly alluded to the Black Lives Matter movement, which grasped the attention of the American public a few years ago. My hope is that this film will further fuel this movement and bring it back into the conversation.

The Black Lives Matter movement gained the most attention in 2014, after multiple shootings of unarmed black men by law enforcement. The release of this film multiple years later brings much needed attention to an ongoing issue. Not only does the film highlight issues regarding the murder of unarmed black men, but it also begins attention the larger problem of racism.

The Hate U Give is over two hours in length, but it definitely worth the time and money. Although it focuses on the injustices faced by the African-American community in the United States, this movie is truly for everyone.