Master

At an elite New England university, a trio of Black women -- freshman Jasmine, senior Gail, and Professor Liv – find themselves entangled in a series of unsettling events. As unsettling incidents escalate, they begin to suspect a sinister presence tied to the school's dark history, forcing them to confront the ghosts of the past and the terrifying reality of the present.

Master received mixed to positive reviews from critics, with many praising its ambitious themes and atmospheric tension, while some found its execution uneven. The film was particularly noted for its exploration of race, privilege, and the lingering specter of racism within academic institutions.

• Praised for its timely exploration of race and institutional racism.
• Lauded for its atmospheric tension and effective scares.
• Some critics found the narrative a bit disjointed or heavy-handed at times.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's thematic depth and the performances, especially Regina Hall's. Many found it to be a thought-provoking horror film that effectively blended social commentary with genre elements, though a minority felt the horror aspects could have been more pronounced.

Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.

Director Mariama Diallo drew inspiration for the film from her own experiences and observations of the complexities of race within elite academic settings.