Written and directed by Chris Moukarbel, Tierra Whack rose to fame rapping on a Philadelphia Street for a YouTube channel. Years later, while documenting her astronomical rise, questions arise about who is filming whom and whether being seen is a desirable and unavoidable part of fame. Also starring: Johnny Montina, Kenete Simms, Nick Canonica, Jamila Curry, Camille Fleming, Natalia Leigh Brown, Bionca Bradley, Chris Anthony, Nyla Naveah and Vanya Asher.
Creating a film that genuinely feels like a documentary while playing with reality, and taking some wild turns, is not an easy thing to do but Chris Moukarbel does it very well. The transition from reality to fiction is smooth and one that you typically see in horror, there are even a lot of elements to Cypher, especially in its latter moments that could easily be seen through a horror lens. That’s one of the things that keeps you so glued into its journey, the potential for it to explore dark and disturbing avenues.
Another is its great use of tension, it has one key moment that establishes the unravelling nature of its story, then it nicely grows from there. Chris Moukarbel’s direction consistently captures that in the moment feel, as well as adding a background tone of worry or fear for what they might be walking into. It moves between the everyday and the industry, capturing the fame and energy but also the behind the scenes, natural atmosphere.
The next strength is how much Cypher reflects the world that we live in, how easily people can be drawn in by conspiracy. To the point that some people might even believe the entirety of the film is real, unless you told them otherwise. It’s that ridiculous strive to connect the dots, with people refusing to believe in simple coincidence anymore, always trying to be the armchair detective. Not only that but the story plays out very well, the progression and pacing are on the money, it’s captivating and has some clever additions.
While the film is of course focused on Tierra Whack, and she was a great choice for Cypher, it doesn’t find itself glued to her side. She is a vital and entertaining part of the film but as the story branches out, it starts to stray away from her and onto its supporting characters. It’s a really fun ensemble, even those with small parts have something to add but one standout has to be Bionca Bradley. The manic yet methodical energy she brings is almost contagious, you want to see where this puzzle is going to lead her, to find out if all of her dedication will pay off.
Cypher is an unexpected gem, it’s gripping and entertaining, it takes a nicely unravelling path. Moukarbel uses this story in a really clever way, knowing how far to go, never too exaggerated as to lose its grip on reality but far enough to create a satisfying rabbit hole of conspiracy. The film does a great job of holding onto that off the cuff, documentary atmosphere while adding in a good dose of tension. It’s fun but also surprisingly relevant.
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