“We ain’t no goddamn detectives. Let’s be honest with each other. Yous a hoe, I am an entrepreneur and he is a goddamn drug dealer.” And despite that candid declaration by a protagonist in the 2023 Netflix movie “They Cloned Tyrone,” a hustler, a pimp and a prostitute go on a bizarre adventure to expose an underground cloning operation in their neighborhood.
Directed by Juel Taylor, who co-wrote the script with Tony Rettenmaier, “They Cloned Tyrone” stars John Boyega as Fontaine, a drug dealer who wakes up as if nothing happened, a night after he was shot to death with multiple bullets. Determined to uncover what transpired, Fontaine teams up with the local pimp Slick Charles (Jamie Foxx) and Yo-Yo (Teyonah Parris), who saw him last. The trio finds themselves sucked into a larger-than-life government conspiracy.
If it weren’t for a small talk on cryptocurrency, one would think the film was set in the 1980s or 90s. The cinematography is deliberately retro in its aesthetic, accentuated further by synth-pop music, dimly lit shots, and the subtle use of neon lights whenever possible. Some elements were reminiscent of Netflix’s smash hit “Stranger Things”, while the overall cinematic work was akin to the style of auteur Panos Cosmatos.
With a 2 hour runtime, With a 2-hour runtime, “They Cloned Tyrone” might become a little tedious for viewers who lack the patience for pulpy slow-burn mysteries, but it remains quite entertaining, largely thanks to the lead trio. Jamie Foxx, recently seen in the Netflix horror-comedy “Day Shift” as a vampire hunter, is hilariously on point as the self-important and deceitful Slick Charles. However, Teyonha Parris steals the show as Yo-Yo, a woman of the street who adores Nancy Drew and once aspired to be an investigative journalist, but finds herself still trapped on the very streets she always aimed to escape from. While John Boyega’s portrayal of Fontaine might not leave a substantial impact, viewers are treated to a intriguing revelation about his origins in the second half of the film.
The central plot revolving around a government-backed organization cloning local Black individuals is deviously unveiled as an attempt to “control and maintain balance.” Can this odd trio effectively combat the powerful organization and restore free will in their neighborhood, where everyone is slowly becoming puppets due to the experiments conducted by a group of white scientists?
“They Cloned Tyrone” skillfully delves into the themes of racial oppression and cyclical violence through its whimsically satirical plot. Following a captivating first hour, replete with humorous moments and intriguing character development, the climax does leave a slightly underwhelming impression. However, all things considered, it makes for a worthwhile one-time viewing experience.
Rating: 7/10. Stream the film on Netflix.
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