The recently released trailer for the thriller “Karen” has drawn a lot of feedback – though maybe not the kind those making it had hoped.
The film follows an entitled Caucasian woman named Karen White (Taryn Manning) who has a big problem when a young black couple (Cory Hardrict, Jasmine Burke) move into the neighbourhood.
The microaggressions and racism of the titular character against her new neighbours go from subtle to overt to extreme, escalating with each event.
Speaking to TMZ about the role, Manning says: “Even though I’m playing the opposing side, if I have to sort of play the villain and do all that to help make change, I was more than willing to step into the role. If you don’t like me in the role, perfect, I did my job just great. But the main point is that what’s been going on is just devastating, and it’s time for a change. And for me to be a part of that bigger picture meant a lot to me.”
The trailer has set social media ablaze over the past day and has ranged from confusion to derision as it has drawn comparisons to an SNL parody, and raised questions about how much it’s liberally borrowing from “Get Out”. It’s also not clear if this is meant to be a straight-out satirical film or a horror film with social commentary (and satire). Either way, it’s playing it with a straight face.
Coke Daniels helms this BET Original film which was shot in Georgia in the early past of this year. No release date for the movie has been announced.
