Skip to content
Wherever I Look Logo

Wherever I Look

  • HomeExpand
    • About Wherever I LookExpand
      • Our Writers
    • Editorial Guidelines
    • Cookie & Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • HTML Sitemap
  • TV Shows
  • Movies
  • Character Guide
  • Live Performances
  • Videos
Wherever I Look Logo
Wherever I Look

Home - Movies - The Reading (2023) – Review/ Summary

The Reading (2023) – Review/ Summary

Mo’Nique’s first joint venture with Lee Daniels since reconciling has her getting beaten and bruised and then coming off like a crazed psychopath.

ByAmari Allah Hours Posted onFebruary 2, 2023 9:46 AMAugust 28, 2023 11:15 AM Hours Updated onAugust 28, 2023 11:15 AM
Title Card for The Reading

Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.


Additionally, some images and text may include affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission or receive products if you make a purchase.


  • Film Summary
    • Things To Note
      • Why Is "The Reading" Rated TV-MA
      • Question(s) Left Unanswered
  • Character Descriptions
    • Emma
    • Sky
  • Review
    • Highlights
      • You Get Invested In Sky's Survival
      • When Emma Reveals Her True Self, She Can Be Fearsome And Comical
    • On The Fence
      • It's B-Movie Horror

Mo’Nique’s first joint venture with Lee Daniels since reconciling has her getting beaten and bruised and then coming off like a crazed psychopath.

Director(s) Courtney Glaudé
Screenplay By Courtney Glaudé
Based On N/A
Date Released (BET Plus) February 2, 2023
Genre(s) Crime, Horror
Duration 1 Hour 38 Minutes
Content Rating Rated TV-MA
Noted Cast
Emma Leeden Mo’Nique
Sky Brown Chasity Sereal

This content contains pertinent spoilers. Also, images and text in this post may contain affiliate links which, if a purchase is made from those sites, we may earn money or products from the company.

Film Summary

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”AI3Xl4N1″ upload-date=”2023-02-06T02:32:34.000Z” name=”The Reading (2023) – Review- Summary.mp4″ description=”Mo’Nique warms up for her grand return in this horror/thriller, where she plays a woman beaten and scorned, dealing with some kids who have the potential to make her life harder.” player-type=”static”]

A year ago, something terrible happened in Emma Leeden’s home. Her husband was killed, her daughter, and even her 5-year-old son. She survived but lost a finger and, lucky for her, was able to survive thanks to publishing a book about the encounter. But, with sales slowing down, her sister-in-law, who handles her PR, hires Sky and her friends, who usually con people out of money, under the guise that Sky has psychic abilities. In some ways, she does, but usually, the focus is more on getting money out of people than giving them peace.

However, as Sky meets Emma and conjures up old spirits and feelings, she learns that sometimes it is better to let the dead’s cries remain silent.

Things To Note

Why Is “The Reading” Rated TV-MA

  • Dialog: Cursing throughout
  • Violence: Gun violence, blood, depictions of open wounds, and violence against children
  • Sexual Content: None
  • Miscellaneous: Drinking and smoking

Question(s) Left Unanswered

  1. What kind of demon was in that house?

Character Descriptions

Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.

Emma

Mo'Nique as Emma Leeden
“Mo’Nique as Emma Leeden,” The Reading, directed by Courtney Glaudé, 2023, (BET Plus)

At one time, Emma was a wife and mother to two children, living in a nice home, and had a comfortable life. However, after the tragic events of a year ago, she is a widow, a mother without living children, and has damage to her body which has altered her speech, her dexterity, and her ability to walk.

  • You May Also Know The Actor From Being: An unknown role in Lee Daniels’ upcoming “The Deliverance,” Ma Rainey in “Bessie,” Claire Rousseau in “Blackbird,” and Mary in “Precious.”

Sky

Chasity Sereal as Sky Brown
“Chasity Sereal as Sky Brown,” The Reading, directed by Courtney Glaudé, 2023, (BET Plus)

In college but barely able to manage it financially, Sky has taken to using her psychic gifts to exploit people. But, with being uncomfortable with using this gift, she eventually finds herself continuing only at the behest of her boyfriend and friends.

Review

Our Rating: Mixed (Divisive)

Highlights

You Get Invested In Sky’s Survival

With introducing Sky’s mother, noting how they are on the verge of being kicked out, alongside it being made clear her mom is intelligent but struggling? You get invested in Sky. Yes, there will be times Sky will get on your last nerve, especially as her friends are dying and she is of little to no help. But there is something sweet about her, paired with a background that makes you feel for her, and it’s good enough to make you want her to be a survivor.

When Emma Reveals Her True Self, She Can Be Fearsome And Comical

Does Mo’Nique remind you why she won an Oscar? No. However, she does remind you why she was one of the most prominent comedians. Now, is this to say she is going to make you roar with laughter? No. However, as Emma slowly but surely switches in a Dr. Jerkyll and Mr. Hyde way, the things that come out of Emma’s mouth can be comical. If Emma was made to have more depth, some of it could have potentially been interesting social commentary.

But, alas, Emma is just someone who knew what it means to be poor, almost lost it out, and snapped because of it. Leading to her becoming the woman who stands between Sky and her friends, continuing their lives or meeting death.

On The Fence

It’s B-Movie Horror

“The Reading” isn’t something to be slotted with the likes of “Smile,” “Barbarian,” or the potential classics we got in 2022 theatrically. I wouldn’t even say it is on the level of “Ma,” Octavia Spencer’s movie from 2019. It’s just a movie with a simple setup, characters who are given a quick sob story, and then the twist hits, and you’re watching a bunch of teens you barely know anything about run from someone with a gun, or a knife, with them having no means to escape.

Which is fine, especially if you enjoy horror that is mainly focused on kills. But if you need more than that? If you want a compelling story or characters? “The Reading” isn’t for you. It’s more of a quantity for BET Plus film than quality, as we’ve seen with many of their holiday programs, or in the case of “Angel.”

Title Card for The Reading
The Reading (2023) – Review/ Summary
Overall
“The Reading” may not be a grand follow-up to Lee Daniels and Mo’Nique’s last collaboration, but this is with him producing, not writing and directing. So consider this perhaps a warm-up for better things since this movie, while entertaining, is ultimately forgettable.
Highlights
You Get Invested In Sky’s Survival
When Emma Reveals Her True Self, She Can Be Fearsome And Comical
Disputable
It’s B-Movie Horror
79

Follow/Subscribe To Our External Pages

  • YouTube
  • TikTok
  • Amazon
  • Google
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X

Sending
User Review
0% (0 votes)
  • Check out The Prime Video Storefront To Rent or Buy Movies, or Subscribe To Prime Video Channels
  • Stream the new season of The Chi with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME® plan. Try it FREE!
  • Join Amazon Prime - Watch Thousands of Movies & TV Shows Anytime - Start Free Trial Now

Listed Under Categories: Movies, Mixed (Divisive)

Related Tags: BET Plus, Chasity Sereal, Courtney Glaudé, Crime, Horror, Mo’Nique, Rated TV-MA

Amari Allah

Amari is the founder and head writer of Wherever-I-Look.com and has been writing reviews since 2010, with a focus on dramas and comedies.

Facebook Instagram YouTube

Post navigation

Previous Previous
Accused: Season 1/ Episode 3 “Danny’s Story” – Recap/ Review
NextContinue
Knock At The Cabin (2023) – Review/ Summary

Site Pages

  • Home
  • About Wherever I Look
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie & Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer & Disclosure Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • HTML Sitemap
  • Our Writers
The Wherever I Look logo featuring a film reel, a video game controller, old school TV set, a stage, and more done by artist Dean Nelson.

The overall goal of Wherever I Look is to fill in that space between the average fan and critic and advise you on what’s worth experiencing.

Category Pages

  • Articles
  • Character Guide
  • Collected Quotes
  • Live Peformances
  • Movies
  • Our Latest Reviews
  • TV Series
  • Video Page
Scroll to top

Wherever I Look logo

Welcome to Wherever I Look, your go-to destination for insightful and personable reviews of the latest TV episodes, movies, and live performances. Also, dive into our character guides and discover what’s truly worth your time.

  • Home
    • About Wherever I Look
      • Our Writers
    • Editorial Guidelines
    • Cookie & Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • HTML Sitemap
  • TV Shows
  • Movies
  • Character Guide
  • Live Performances
  • Videos
Search