Blindspotting (2018) at UW Cinematheque

Carlos López Estrada’s welcome debut, in collaboration with co-writers and co-stars Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal, feels a lot like a feature-length version of the first season of the FX series Atlanta (but in Oakland here), as it challenges systemic societal problems like wealth inequality, racial profiling, and masculine posturing with a sharply humorous and humane narrative.

While Blindspotting (2018)’s more heavily scripted encounters begin to amass in the latter half, pulling attention away from the indisputable chemistry between Diggs and Casal (as longtime best friends Collin and Miles, respectively), the film continues to characterize the co-stars’ charisma with impressive hip-hop freestyles. They feel so authentically impromptu and energetic, even when tied to the less thrilling narrative framework.

Given the aforementioned allusion to Atlanta, Estrada’s film was fittingly adapted for a TV series of the same name with executive producers Diggs and Casal returning. Premiering on Starz in June of last year, it expands upon the experiences and agency of Ashley (Jasmine Cephas Jones), Miles’ partner in this original film; and a second season is set to premiere next month.

Resist gentrifying re-branding, but do try that new standard vegan burger at Kwik Way. —Grant Phipps