Zola 2021

As she recounts her tale to a fellow stripper, the contours of Aziah “Zola” King’s (Taylour Paige) world begin to unfold. In 2015, Zola poured out her story across 148 tweets, a digital chronicle that would serve as a testament to her unyielding spirit.

It was against this backdrop that Zola, a self-assured waitress and part-time stripper in Detroit, crossed paths with Stefani (Riley Keough), a charismatic and rough-around-the-edges fellow stripper. Their initial meeting took place while Zola was serving Stefani at work, but it wasn’t long before the two formed a strong bond over their shared profession.

Stefani would later extend an invitation to Zola, proposing they join forces on a road trip to Tampa, Florida, where Stefani claimed they could make a small fortune. The promise of easy money proved too enticing for Zola, and she soon found herself embarking on a journey with Stefani, her enigmatic roommate Abegunde “X” Olawale (Colman Domingo), and Stefani’s sheepish boyfriend Derrek (Nicholas Braun).

As they arrived in Tampa, the group abandoned Derrek at a seedy motel, opting instead to visit a local strip club where Stefani claimed her friends had raked in over $5,000 on a single night. Though Zola and Stefani took to the stage, their earnings fell far short of Stefani’s boasts. It was then that Zola discovered Stefani and X had posted explicit photos (taken by Stefani while feigning selfies) of her and Stefani on Backpage, an online platform catering to those seeking to buy and sell sex.

Zola’s attempts to extricate herself from the situation were met with threats from X, who revealed himself to be Stefani’s pimp. His words dripped with menace as he intimated that he knew Zola’s whereabouts and would ensure her safety only if she cooperated. The group soon found themselves at an upscale hotel, where Stefani would go on to engage in a series of sexual encounters with male clients.

Zola’s incredulousness reached new heights when she learned X was charging a paltry $150 per client, equivalent to mere minutes of dancing on the pole. Seizing the opportunity to assist her friend, Zola edited the Backpage advertisement, increasing the rate to $500 and thereby helping Stefani rake in an astonishing $8,000 by night’s end.

The morning after Zola’s unexpected intervention, X’s initial irritation gives way to begrudging respect for her unwavering conviction. He liberally dispenses cash to Zola, acknowledging her share of their shared venture, but remains steadfast in his refusal to grant Stefani a cut, citing the substantial expenses he covers on her behalf. Meanwhile, Derrek forms an unlikely bond with Dion (Jason Mitchell), a fellow motel dweller, who becomes privy to their true intentions for visiting Tampa. As X, Stefani, and Zola return to their humble abode, X’s ire is piqued by the revelation that Derrek has shared their secrets with Dion, leaving him anxious about the potential consequences.

Fearing for their safety, X hastily arranges for the group to relocate to a new hotel, where he tasks Stefani with continuing her professional endeavors at various off-site locations. Zola, though reluctant, stands watch as a human buffer between Stefani and any potential harm. In a rare display of trust, X awards Zola a percentage of their earnings, yet warns her that attempting to abscond will have severe repercussions.

As Derrek becomes aware that Stefani is once again embroiled in prostitution, he confronts her about her questionable morals, revealing to Zola that Stefani has masterfully manipulated other dancers into unwittingly participating in similar schemes. Zola’s indignation and mistrust of Stefani reach a boiling point, effectively ending their fragile alliance.

Just as Derrek and Stefani are embroiled in a heated argument, X bursts into the room, accompanied by his lover and madam, Baybe (Sophie Hall), who is armed to the teeth. After calming the situation, X arms Zola with a firearm for self-defense purposes and dispatches both women to continue their lucrative endeavors. Their next stop finds them at another hotel, where a client has responded to their clandestine advertisement.

Upon entering the hotel room, Stefani is suddenly seized by the would-be client and dragged into the room against her will. A terrified Zola flees the scene, frantically calling upon X and Derrek for assistance. The trio returns to the room to find Dion and his accomplice, posing as clients, armed with shotguns. It becomes clear that Dion is a ruthless pimp seeking retribution for X’s earlier intrusion into his territory – he demands $20,000 and ownership of Stefani, effectively turning her into his property.

As the desperate situation unfolds, X makes a calculating move, proposing a Faustian bargain to Zola: in exchange for releasing him and Derrek from their predicament, he offers possession of Stefani, who lies helpless and bruised on the floor. The proposition is accompanied by the cold glint of a gun, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Meanwhile, Dion’s invasive gaze lingers over Zola, his digital penetration a stark reminder of the violation she has suffered at X’s hands.

Seizing the momentary distraction, X skillfully retrieves the gun from Zola’s purse and delivers a decisive shot to Dion’s throat, silencing him forever. The group then makes a hasty exit from the hotel, discarding Dion’s firearms into the depths of Tampa Bay, as if to rid themselves of the darkness that had besmirched their evening.

As they flee the chaos, X finally grants Zola permission to depart, while proclaiming his dominance over Stefani. However, Derrek’s desperate plea for loyalty from his beloved Stefani sparks a violent outburst: he leaps over the balcony railing, landing with a thud on the unforgiving concrete below and suffering a nasty head injury.

The trio reluctantly converges once more to transport Derrek to the hospital, their somber mood punctuated only by Stefani’s impassioned declaration of love for Zola. But her words fall flat as Zola, exhausted and emotionally drained, responds with icy disdain, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the car window, a poignant reminder that some wounds run too deep to be healed so easily.