A decades-spanning tale of love and resilience and of one woman's journey to independence. Celie faces many hardships in her life, but ultimately finds extraordinary strength and hope in the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.
Ratings
Curator score: 5.6/10
IMDb: 6.8/10
Letterboxd: 3.58/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 81%
Metacritic: 72
TMDB: 7.0/10
Director
Blitz Bazawule
Production
Warner Bros. Pictures, Harpo Films, Amblin Entertainment, Scott Sanders Productions, Quincy Jones Productions, Domain Entertainment
Cast
Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Halle Bailey, Ciara, H.E.R., David Alan Grier, Deon Cole, Jon Batiste, Louis Gossett Jr., Tamela Mann, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Elizabeth Marvel, Stephen Hill, Adetinpo Thomas, Tiffany Elle Burgess, Terrence J. Smith
Where to watch
Max
Curator Review
Verdict
A moving, performance-driven musical drama with real emotional uplift, but it’s uneven in direction and some viewers may find the songs and pacing less impactful than the story’s best moments. If you’re here for powerhouse acting, sisterhood, and catharsis, it delivers; if you want a tightly shaped adaptation, it may feel blunted.
Best for
Viewers who prioritize performances over formal polish
Fans of emotional, inspirational dramas
Audiences open to musical storytelling
People interested in stories of resilience, sisterhood, and survival
Skip if
You want a visually inventive or tightly directed musical
You prefer songs that are especially memorable or integrated
You’re looking for a lean, consistently engrossing adaptation
You’re sensitive to stories centered on abuse and trauma
Overview
The Color Purple is strongest where it matters most: in the performances. Fantasia Barrino and Danielle Brooks give the film its emotional spine, and Taraji P. Henson brings sharp, volatile energy whenever she appears. When the movie leans into its characters’ pain, love, and hard-won joy, it can be genuinely stirring.
Worth noting
The adaptation is less assured as a whole. Some of the songs feel functional rather than unforgettable, and the visual approach doesn’t always deepen the material the way it should. That leaves the film feeling more admirable than transcendent, especially for viewers familiar with earlier versions.
Bottom line
Even so, the movie’s core message lands: endurance, self-worth, and the power of chosen family. It’s a heartfelt watch with several standout turns, but it’s best approached as a showcase for performers and emotional release rather than a definitive cinematic version of the story.
Top Letterboxd reviews
megan (3.5★) · 4344 likes
idk seems like he could have been cursed with the weight of his own evils for a little longer before getting invited to easter brunch ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
zoë rose bryant (4.5★) · 2548 likes
danielle brooks deserves an oscar for every single scene she steals
zoë rose bryant (4.5★) · 1412 likes
you can’t spell fantasia barrino without oscar (don’t fact check this)
demi adejuyigbe · 1264 likes
made me wanna watch the original more than it made me enjoy watching this one, but yeah i cried twice!! even while doing the flavor of love BEYONCE?? face when ciara showed up. crazy to me to cast colman domingo in that role, he’s just too likeable! had a lot of hmmms with the story but who am i to be discontent with an iconic book/movie/musical that i’m seeing for the first time in 2024. who cares.
that said, i’m… more
Reece (4.5★) · 1234 likes
this should be the #1 musical in america, not Wonka 🤷♀️