Alright movie lovers Tyler Perry is back with a new thriller called Duplicity and it just dropped on Prime Video. But is it a must-watch or a movie you should maybe skip? Critics are kinda split and honestly it sounds like a bit of a mixed bag. Let's dive into what folks are saying about Duplicity and whether it lives up to the hype.
'Duplicity' Plot: Police Shooting Mystery and a Web of Secrets or Just Soap Opera Silliness?
Okay so Duplicity centers around two women. There is Marley a lawyer played by Kat Graham and Fela a news anchor played by Meagan Tandy. They are connected by tragedy. Marley's brother and Fela's boyfriend Rodney are both the same person and he gets killed by the police. Rodney was jogging in a fancy neighborhood and a rookie cop shot him thinking he was a robber. Sounds like a heavy story right?
Well the movie hints at a bigger conspiracy. There was a mysterious phone call that led the police to Rodney but nobody seems to want to investigate it. But instead of focusing on this mystery or the social issues the movie kinda gets lost in circular talks about whether the shooting was justified. Some reviews say it feels like a soap opera and not in a good way. Apparently the movie title Duplicity is mentioned a lot in dialogue like they are spelling it out for you.
Reviews Say 'Duplicity' Misses the Mark: Good Cast Can't Save Confusing Plot and "Sanitized" Drama
Critics are not exactly raving about Duplicity. Variety calls it "soap opera-like" and "emotionally sanitized". Ouch. They say it gestures at mystery but doesn't really follow through. Instead it becomes a "anodyne political drama that says little of note." Double ouch.
One big criticism is the plot which apparently relies on information just conveniently falling into people's laps instead of Marley actually figuring things out. And the big twist ending? Some reviews say it is not earned and just comes out of nowhere. CBR says the movie "doesn't fully earn its twist ending" and that it's not as impactful as it wants to be.
Another issue is the tone. Variety says it's stuck "halfway between malformed melodrama about inequity and a mystery steeped in respectability politics." They also point out strange visual choices like an over use of blue and hazy digital effects making it "hard to watch" literally.
Decider straight up calls it "a thriller That Uses a Police Shooting as a Springboard for Unchecked Silliness." They say Tyler Perry is trying to address a sensitive topic but the movie ends up being "silly superficial and over the top". They even question if Perry knows what he is doing technically as a filmmaker. Ouch again.
Engaging Cast Is a Highlight: Kat Graham Shines Even in a Flawed Film
If there is one consistently positive thing reviewers mention it's the cast. CBR says "The biggest reason to watch Tyler Perry's Duplicity is the cast who find ways to make their characters pop." Kat Graham in particular gets praise for her performance as Marley. CBR says she "ably conveys that sense of conviction and makes audiences want to root for her." They even say "this movie will make viewers see more of Graham's range".
Meagan Tandy as Fela and Tyler Lepley as Marley's boyfriend Tony also get mentions for solid performances. RonReaco Lee as officer Kevin is noted for bringing complexity to his role. Basically the cast is doing their best to elevate the material even if the script is not the strongest.
Kat Graham's 'Duplicity' Premiere Style: Gold Anklet Steals the Show
Speaking of Kat Graham she definitely turned heads at the NYC premiere of Duplicity. Footwear News highlights her red carpet look. She wore a chic monochrome black Saint Laurent dress with a cool cutout and high slit. But the real star of the outfit? Her shoes and anklet combo!
Graham wore Le Silla's Tess sandals stiletto heels with a T-strap and crystal buckle. To make her look extra stylish her team added a gold anklet matching her other gold jewelry. It was a creative touch that made her footwear really stand out. So even if the movie reviews are mixed Kat Graham is definitely bringing her A-game both on screen and on the red carpet.
Here is a breakdown of Kat Graham's premiere outfit:
- Dress: Saint Laurent monochrome black dress with cutout and high slit
- Shoes: Le Silla Tess sandals (black stiletto heel with T-strap and crystal buckle)
- Jewelry: Gold bracelets and rings plus a gold anklet to match shoes
Final Verdict: Stream It or Skip It? 'Duplicity' a Tyler Perry Misfire Despite Talented Cast
So what's the final word on Tyler Perry's Duplicity? Reviews are mostly leaning towards "skip it". It sounds like the movie tries to tackle a serious topic police shootings but gets lost in a confusing plot and soapy melodrama. While the cast especially Kat Graham is doing their best the script and direction seem to be letting them down.
If you are a die-hard Tyler Perry fan or really love Kat Graham you might still want to check it out. But if you are looking for a tight well-written thriller with a meaningful message you might be disappointed. Maybe spend your Prime Video time watching something else unless you are really curious about this "bizarro police shooting drama" as Variety calls it. Just don't expect too much duplicity or depth from Duplicity.