Malcolm is carefully surviving life in a tough neighborhood in Los Angeles while juggling college applications, academic interviews, and the SAT. A chance invitation to an underground party leads him into an adventure that could allow him to go from being a geek, to being dope, to ultimately being himself.
When so many black movie characters are simple stereotypes, it's a pleasure to see a film with real wit about the benefits and pitfalls of playing to and against those expectations.
– Patrick Dunn,
Detroit News,
19 Jun 2015
fresh:
Even as Famuyiwa acknowledges the preconceptions that Malcolm's blackness engenders, he invites audiences to identify with the character on the basis of his relatable interests, aspirations and vulnerabilities.
– Julian Carrington,
Globe and Mail,
19 Jun 2015
fresh:
Dope's biggest strength lies in its affectionate and honest portrait of a different kind of young urban blackness than we're used to seeing on movie screens.
– Dana Stevens,
Slate,
19 Jun 2015
fresh:
The film's ability to confound expectations while delivering some big laughs may be its most crowd-pleasing characteristic but the anti-stereotype message rings clear as a bell throughout.
– James Berardinelli,
ReelViews,
19 Jun 2015
fresh:
The movie is overly ambitious but never dull, and the ensemble cast is fun to watch.