Zola

• Comedy
• Crime
• Drama

A darkly comedic and unsettling road movie, “Zola” unfolds as a fragmented, hyper-realized account of a weekend spiraling into chaos. Told primarily through the protagonist’s own increasingly unreliable narration and punctuated by jarring edits and on-screen text, the film doesn't depict a conventional heist or crime story, but instead dissects the precarious hustle and exploitative power dynamics within the world of exotic dancing. The narrative avoids sensationalism, focusing on the psychological tension of a young woman navigating a volatile friendship and a rapidly deteriorating situation, ultimately revealing a desperate attempt to secure financial independence laced with mounting dread. It’s a portrait of modern exploitation viewed through a distinctly female and internet-native lens, where truth and performance blur into a disorienting and captivating experience.