Beauty In Black: review of the disastrous Netflix series

In the infinite universe of series on Netflix, it sometimes happens that we come across a production that leaves us perplexed. This is exactly what happened to me while watching Beauty in Black, the new creation of Tyler Perry. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry about it. Regarding my expectations for this series, the experience was a bit like receiving a box of chocolates… but each piece tasted like cardboard.

Too high ambitions for too poor content

The plot centers around Kimmie And Mallory. These characters are trapped in a daily life between glamor and personal disasters. A concept which could, I admit, have been fascinating. Alas, the dialogues quickly prove disappointing: hollow, strewn with unnecessary vulgarities, and far from the psychological depth hoped for. Basically, a unison of blabla without any real substance.

Mr Perry, whom I discovered in roles ofactor much more inspired, seems to want to offer me here an anthology of the worst clichés of the genre. But, I say to myself, that perhaps an audience looking for lightness would find pleasure here? After all, not everyone is looking for depth in every series they watch on Netflix.

A treatment of sensitive subjects on the surface

The way in which Beauty in Black addresses delicate issues such as sexual violence or the racism police officer deeply disappointed me. These themes are too often reduced to story shortcuts rather than being explored with the necessary depth and respect. I felt this was a missed opportunity for Perry to truly captivate his audience while honoring these important social discussions.

However, I understand that fiction does not have to become social advocacy, and that there can be an interest in simply wanting to entertain. Perhaps the perspective would have been different if we had focused more on the humanity of the characters? Who knows, maybe Tyler Perry is preparing us for a more nuanced evolution in the seasons to come.

Substantial budget, modest result

There is no doubt that the budget for this series was there, as evidenced by the technical aspects and the quality of the images. However, with this type of funding, please save me from the wigs worthy of a bad Halloween day. Let me be clear: I am not questioning the talent of the artists involved. I’d just be curious to see how Mr. Perry might better allocate these resources in the future, perhaps by strengthening the writing and story arcs.

Finally, I would like to add that no success is built without criticism. Tyler Perry has proven that he has talent, perhaps this opus will serve as a springboard for greater future success? HERE a link to discover other series.