AceShowbiz - Taylour Paige gave a career-defining performance in the thriller Zola, a film loosely based on a viral Twitter thread. The movie is a gleefully black comedy that captures the same stunned disbelief that social media viewers had when following the story in real time. Although it was always going to be hard to capture the same stunned disbelief that social media viewers had when following the story in real time, Zola is just as unpredictable, sickening, and surprisingly hilarious as it needed to be.

As the film’s titular character, Taylour Paige earned her breakout role, bringing a nuanced and emotional performance to the table. The film was also a major step up for director Janicza Bravo, who had previously wowed audiences at the Sundance Film Festival with her debut film, Lemon. The fresh perspective both in front of and behind the camera allowed Zola to feel like a hip, modern adaptation of a story so absurd it would be deemed too ridiculous had it not been fictionalized.

The chaotic, abrasive energy of Zola could be off-putting, but it was Taylour Paige’s performance that made it such an arthouse gem. The film offers an empathetic look at a young woman who has done her best to retain autonomy during a period of economic decline in America, and has pulled off two jobs as a waitress and stripper. Zola is a more reserved character who is cagey about putting misplaced faith in others, but she has a rocky friendship with her obnoxious co-worker Stefani (played by Riley Keough), whose wild claims are only occasionally proved to be true.

Despite her hesitations, Zola reluctantly agrees to join Stefani on a road trip to Tampa, Florida, where they will supposedly earn over $5,000 in one night. Although Zola isn’t expecting Stefani’s clueless boyfriend Derrek (played by Nicholas Braun) to be in attendance, she’s even more skeptical when they’re joined by the enigmatic pimp known only as “X” (played by Colman Domingo). The film is a wild new spin on an adaptation, and Taylour Paige’s performance is a must-see.

In Zola, Taylour Paige appropriately captures the complexity of her character, bringing a depth and nuance to the role that is both captivating and thought-provoking. The film is a testament to Paige’s talent and range as an actress, and it's no surprise that she has gone on to land roles in other high-profile projects, including IT: Welcome to Derry. With Zola available to watch for free, there's never been a better time to experience Taylour Paige's breakout performance for yourself.