Passing

Name: Passing
Genre: Drama
Released: October 27, 2021
Duration: 98 min
Rating: 85
Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Andre Holland, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy, Ashley Ware Jenkins, Bill Camp

2021

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 46 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 68 Ratings

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6.6

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6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 68 Ratings

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Passing

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Movie Details & Credits

Netflix | Release Date: October 27, 2021 | PG-13

Starring: Alexander Skarsgård, Andre Holland, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy, Ashley Ware Jenkins, Bill Camp, Derek Roberts, Doris McCarthy, Ethan Barrett, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Justus Davis Graham, Kerry Flanagan, Ruth Negga, Tessa Thompson

Movie Facts:

Debuts on Netflix on November 10, 2021.

Summary: Adapted from the celebrated 1929 novel of the same name by Nella Larsen, Passing tells the story of two Black women, Irene Redfield (Tessa Thompson) and Clare Kendry (Ruth Negga), who can “pass” as white but choose to live on opposite sides of the color line during the height of the Harlem Renaissance in late 1920s New York. After a chanceAdapted from the celebrated 1929 novel of the same name by Nella Larsen, Passing tells the story of two Black women, Irene Redfield (Tessa Thompson) and Clare Kendry (Ruth Negga), who can “pass” as white but choose to live on opposite sides of the color line during the height of the Harlem Renaissance in late 1920s New York. After a chance encounter reunites the former childhood friends one summer afternoon, Irene reluctantly allows Clare into her home, where she ingratiates herself to Irene’s husband (André Holland) and family, and soon her larger social circle as well. As their lives become more deeply intertwined, Irene finds her once-steady existence upended by Clare, and PASSING becomes a riveting examination of obsession, repression and the lies people tell themselves and others to protect their carefully constructed realities.… Expand

Director: Rebecca Hall

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 98 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

John Anderson

Nov 12, 2021

It might have taken one actress to make a movie so reliant on others. It certainly took a director with a supreme confidence, not just in the talents of her performers but in the power of gesture. Read full review

100

The Telegraph Tim Robey

Feb 1, 2021

Alive to pulse-quickening details of body language and the conversational codes by which a dangerous friendship lives or dies, the film is a study in contrasts far beyond the monochromatic. Read full review

Alissa Wilkinson

Nov 19, 2021

The result is cool, elegant, and devastating, a film as tightly woven and plaintive as the source novel itself. It’s an artifact of its time, both 1929 and in 2021, when the questions around identity have morphed and shifted but are still relevant as ever. Read full review

The Film Stage Shayna Warner

Feb 1, 2021

By turns stifling and lucid with seduction, Hall’s debut is impressive, even when its atmosphere sometimes overtakes its pace. Read full review

Empire Nikki Baughan

Oct 29, 2021

An impressive filmmaking debut from actor-turned-director Rebecca Hall which largely avoids cliché or soapboxing about race, featuring two excellent performances from Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga. Read full review

Mark Feeney

Nov 11, 2021

This is a double debut for Hall, as director and screenwriter both. She’s long been known as one of our most gifted actors. So the quality of the performances she’s gotten from her cast is little surprise. Read full review

The Guardian Benjamin Lee

Feb 1, 2021

As compelling and as complicated as this fraught friendship might be, Hall’s script can’t quite find a way to take it – and the other pieces of Larsen’s novel – and turn them into something deservedly substantial. Read full review

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User Reviews

Qmechan

Nov 1, 2021

An excellent look into an often-ignored aspect of racism, the colorism that exists on both sides, and what some people needed to do to survive.

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

jazzyfizzle

Dec 30, 2021

Hands-down best book-to-film adaptation ever. Hyperboles aside - I read the book two years ago, and I was excited but tepid when I heard it was being adapted into a film. Overall, the film gave me chills. Negga and Thompson floored me with their performances. I loved every second of it. IHands-down best book-to-film adaptation ever. Hyperboles aside - I read the book two years ago, and I was excited but tepid when I heard it was being adapted into a film. Overall, the film gave me chills. Negga and Thompson floored me with their performances. I loved every second of it. I loved Hall's choice to film it in black and white with a 4:3 aspect ratio. Truly marvelous filmmaking and storytelling.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Indiefilmlover

Nov 3, 2021

In an age of superheroes, reboots, and formulas, it's refreshing to see a film that assumes the audence has some intelligence. "Passing," actor Rebecca Hall's feature directing debut is one such film. It deals with the underexplored subject of "passing" (when an African American passesIn an age of superheroes, reboots, and formulas, it's refreshing to see a film that assumes the audence has some intelligence. "Passing," actor Rebecca Hall's feature directing debut is one such film. It deals with the underexplored subject of "passing" (when an African American passes themselves off as White). Rather that spell everything out for you, the film, based on a 1929 novel by Nella Larsen, allows you as the viewer to interpret what you see through your own perspective. The result is a film that is in equal measure challenging as it is rewarding. The cast headed by Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga is first rate. Eduard Grau's black & white cinematography is superb. To fully appreciate this provocative film, it requires your undivided attention, so if don't see it in the theatre, be sure to eliminate anything that may distract from your experience. Hall, whose maternal grandfather, Norman Isaac Ewing, an African American who passed (alternately for White and Native American), demonstrates an obvious personal connection to the material. Not since Julie Dash's short film, "Illusions," has there been a film that deals with the subject of passing with such sophistication.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

Stream2BigScree

Nov 19, 2021

Well, Streamers, it's that time of the year when studios release all of their "prestige pics" with dreams of being awards contenders. Netflix has a number of films tossing their hats in that golden ring. Passing, which was released last week, is one of those films with all of the hallmarksWell, Streamers, it's that time of the year when studios release all of their "prestige pics" with dreams of being awards contenders. Netflix has a number of films tossing their hats in that golden ring. Passing, which was released last week, is one of those films with all of the hallmarks of an awards contender. It is shot in stark black & white; it's based on a novel set in the 1920's; and, it addresses a serious socio-political issue. Here's whether Passing passed the prestige pic test. Passing is Rebecca Hall's, an actress from such faves as The Prestige, The Town and The Gift, debut as a writer and director. This film is based on a novel by Nella Larsen and it focuses on the story of Irene (Tessa Thompson), a Harlem socialite who passes as white sometimes. Irene reconnects with a childhood friend, Clare (Ruth Negga), who passes as white full time. The women have a chance encounter when Irene, while passing, takes a break from the heat in a hotel lounge and meets Clare. Their lives become entangled and begin to threaten each others' carefully constructed existences.

Rebecca Hall has done a good job putting this film together. She has a good eye for detail. The black and white theme of Passing is made more resonant by the choice to use black and white cinematography. It makes the film look stark, but it also illuminates the skin tones of the lead actresses. The film, which is set in the 1920s, has a distinct old Hollywood movie feel. Both Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga approximate the cadences and speaking styles of actors from that era. Negga, in particular, really surrenders to her character and brings a vibrant and complicated woman to life. Negga's performance displays exactly what her character, Clare, brings to Irene's regimented and unsatisfying life. The costume designs deliciously evoke that era and enhance the status of each character, particularly in the use of hats early on in the film. Passing is well-composed and the visuals really enhance the story.

My quibbles with Passing may stem from the novel itself - I don't know, I haven't read it. There seems to be a loss of focus on the through line of the plot, which should be about race in society and identity, in general. However, sometimes characters do things that are not clearly explained by the movie. In fact, there is a point where you may not understand whether these two women are friends, were friend or why they would have ever been friends. In my opinion, the film tends to lose focus and it becomes less about the complications of living as a white woman when you are black and more about other subplots that aren't as interesting. On the other hand, the movie is roughly 90 minutes, so it doesn't over stay it's welcome. And that's just fine with me.

What I'm saying is that Passing is a worthwhile viewing opportunity. The themes of the film feel important and they are usually told well, even if there are unfocused, or confusing, bits. An unfortunately, I think that some viewers may find the movie a little boring. It is a good looking period piece, especially with the black and white cinematography and the 1920's costumes. I would suggest a bowl of popcorn for this one as you check it out in your Netflix queue.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Brent_Marchant

Oct 30, 2021

Trying to pass oneself off as something one is not can be a tricky -- even dangerous -- path to follow. But, at one time, it was a widely utilized practice in the African-American community, one in which light-skinned blacks sought to be seen and accepted as Caucasian, believing that doingTrying to pass oneself off as something one is not can be a tricky -- even dangerous -- path to follow. But, at one time, it was a widely utilized practice in the African-American community, one in which light-skinned blacks sought to be seen and accepted as Caucasian, believing that doing so would afford them benefits that their darker-skinned peers were fundamentally unable to avail themselves of. This was known as "passing," and it's the subject of director Rebecca Hall's debut feature. The film, set in 1920s New York, tells the story of two old friends who have a chance meeting after a number of years apart. One has been passing for years, not even telling her White husband the truth about her ethnic background. The other, a resident of Harlem, could pass if she chose to but doesn't, as she enjoys her life with her ebony-skinned husband and two sons. But, as they renew their friendship, the issue comes up for scrutiny on a number of occasions and in a number of ways, frequently leading them into some potentially problematic territory while simultaneously revealing that both they and others they know are all trying to "pass" in one way or another (and not necessarily where race is concerned). Eloquently and poetically shot in black and white, this fine offering gives viewers much to ponder where ethnicity, tolerance and integrity are concerned, all brought to life by the fine performances of Tessa Thompson, Ruth Negga, Andre Holland and Bill Camp. Several story threads feel a bit underdeveloped, but, on balance, this intriguing look at a challenging subject is sensitively handled, thought provoking and an excellent premiere effort from an aspiring filmmaker.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

MattyIce34

Nov 11, 2021

It’s well acted and has an interesting topic, but the themes are never fully explored. Still a good debut from Hall.

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

carolineschnapp

Nov 27, 2021

Beautifully put together, abysmal in its understanding of human nature. Also, how the hell can two Black women pass as “white” to a KKK-level-racist white dude, one of those he's married to? There is no claim to realism here, but even the fantasy does not have two legs to stand on. IfBeautifully put together, abysmal in its understanding of human nature. Also, how the hell can two Black women pass as “white” to a KKK-level-racist white dude, one of those he's married to? There is no claim to realism here, but even the fantasy does not have two legs to stand on. If DiAngelo and Kendi got together to make a movie.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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