Master

On a prestigious New England campus built atop a hill steeped in Salem era history, Gail Bishop, a Black woman stepping into a high profile role, and Jasmine Moore, a talented Black student, try to claim their place within a cloistered world of privilege. The pair face a culture of prestige that masks old tensions and new ambitions, even as their paths cross during a tense year of institutional maneuvering. As late nights on campus unfold, strange echoes of the hill’s past intrude on lectures and rituals, hinting at a present haunted by bigotry, power, and unsaid histories. Their bond is tested by suspicion, doubt, and quiet courage. The campus comes off as a character itself, shaping every choice. Their resilience gives shape to the unfolding mystery.

Directed by Mariama Diallo, Master is an original screenplay and marks Diallo's feature directorial debut. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2022 and was released by Amazon Studios, blending intimate performances with a measured suspenseful pace and a muted, tense visual style.

Box office figures were modest, reflecting a limited theatrical run and a streaming release strategy. The film drew attention beyond theaters for its timely themes and performances, and it lingered in conversations rather than chasing blockbuster numbers, resonating with viewers at home.

Cultural conversations around Master centered on race and power in academia. The film sparked debates about campus history and representation, with audiences questioning how institutions confront archives of prejudice while still pushing for progress. It also sparked broader dialogue about naming and symbolism in classrooms and clubs.

Critics generally praised Regina Hall's restrained, ferocious performance and the film's unsettling atmosphere, while noting a tighter focus could sharpen its themes of belonging and coercive privilege. The story probes how fear can mask systemic harm and complicity, and some critics noted tonal shifts.