They Cloned Tyrone (2023) – Movie Review and Summary
“Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” may be all over the news, but Juel Taylor’s “They Cloned Tyrone” is an inventive joy that shouldn’t be missed.
General Information
| Director(s) | Juel Taylor |
| Screenplay By | Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier |
| Based On | N/A |
| Date Released (Netflix) | July 21, 2023 |
| Genre(s) | Comedy, Mystery, Sci-Fi |
| Film Length | 2 Hours, 4 Minutes |
| Content Rating | Rated R |
| Noted Characters and Cast | |
| Fontaine | John Boyega |
| Yo-Yo | Teyonah Parris |
| Slick Charles | Jamie Foxx |
What Is “They Cloned Tyrone” Rated And Why?
“They Cloned Tyrone” is rated R for profanity, violence, drugs, and some sexual content.
Film Summary
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Overview
“They Cloned Tyrone” is a fun, stylish sci-fi twist on classic Blaxploitation movies. This comedy/mystery/sci-fi tale with a near-exclusive Black cast continues to push the boundaries of experimentation and representation in movies. “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” may be all over the news, but Juel Taylor’s “They Cloned Tyrone” is an inventive joy that shouldn’t be missed.
Summary
Fontaine (John Boyega) is a drug dealer who spends his days collecting money and taking care of his mom. Yet due to the loss of his little brother and his mom staying in her room, Fontaine feels alone and cynical about the world. Every day feels exactly the same in his town, Glen, yet one night, everything changes when Fontaine is shot and killed… but wakes up just fine the next day.
When Glen’s local pimp Slick Charles (Jamie Foxx) and his trustworthy sex worker Yo-Yo (Teyonah Parris), inform Fontaine that they saw him die, Fontaine is understandably freaked out and embarks on a mission to find out what’s going on. Slick and Yo-Yo join in to help Fontaine, and their quest takes them to a secret lab where Fontaine finds a clone of himself. Why is Fontaine being cloned? What’s up with the fried chicken in town? And how come people in Glen are acting a little strange these days?
“They Cloned Tyrone” is a spooky satire of our current socio-economics as much as it is an homage to 1970s Blaxploitation movies, but what keeps the heart of the film beating is a terrific cast and story that stresses the importance of a community. Watch it at night, during the day, with friends, or alone; “They Cloned Tyrone” is a good time anytime.
Other Noteworthy Information
- “They Cloned Tyrone” is from a script that made the 2019 Blacklist of scripts, meaning it was one of the most liked unproduced scripts of that year.
- Writer and Director Juel Taylor intentionally focused on stereotypical roles for Black people in marginalized communities (drug dealer, pimp, etc.) to humanize their stories in a way rarely seen in the media.
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.
Fontaine
Fontaine is a stoic and tight-jawed drug dealer who does what he can to make ends meet. He takes care of his mom, and both of them are mourning the death of Fontaine’s younger brother. When Fontaine sees a deceased clone of himself, he knows there is something far freakier and more sinister going on in his neighborhood than selling drugs.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” their role in “The Woman King,” and their role in “Imperial Dreams.”
Yo-Yo
Yo-Yo is a semi-retired sex worker with big dreams to leave the town. She keeps cool and calm when Fontaine and Slick are ready to fight or flee. She’s caring to all and is often the diplomat in discussions, and she agrees to help Fontaine discover why there was a clone of him.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Dear White People,” their role in “If Beale Street Could Talk,” and their role in “WandaVision.”
Slick Charles
A quick-witted and fast-talking pimp that’s normally only looking out for himself. When he sees Fontaine get shot and return the next day, Slick is suspicious but tries to help Fontaine solve the mystery.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Ray,” their role in “Collateral,” and their role in “Soul.”
Review
Our Rating: Positive (Worth Seeing)
Notable Performances or Moments
Teyonah Parris as Yo-Yo
Teyonah Parris’ stardom continues to shine brighter in Marvel movies, and while she’s memorable in films like “Dear White People,” “Chi-Raq,” and “Candyman,” here she gets to flex her comedy skills and sometimes has the best one-liners while trading barbs with Jamie Foxx. She provides unending compassion to her character Yo-Yo and other characters, which ultimately brings everyone together.
Highlights
An Original Genre-Blending Adventure That Has Something to Say
In a movie business overwhelmed by franchises and established IPs, “They Cloned Tyrone” breaks from the mold and delivers a story unlike anything seen this year. It’s a sci-fi mystery thriller that takes place in the hood. The movie knows when to create tension, when to have fun, and when to make the viewers say, “What the hell?” while still being engaged. It’s a confident story that marches to its own beat.
Swift Camera Movements, Blocking, and Dynamic Acting Create a Lively Atmosphere
From the start of its grainy film filter, “They Cloned Tyrone” informs you that this is a movie calling back to the past, to the old horror sleepover movies of your youth. But the tone is kept bouncing, lively, and even thriving as the camera moves past characters, introducing one after the next like dominoes gleefully toppling over each other. Finally, when John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, and Jamie Foxx share a scene together, the film bursts off the screen as they command and share the space within your own room.
On The Fence
An Awkward Dip in Momentum at the Halfway Mark
“They Cloned Tyrone” starts and finishes strongly, but there’s a moment halfway through the film where Fontaine refuses the hero’s journey, and it proceeds to show him live every day the same again. While “the protagonist giving up” is a common trope in movies, the energy dies, and, just like Fontaine, the narrative slightly loses focus.
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