Netflix has released the full trailer for The Incredible Jessica James, and it’s absolute perfection. We were already excited for this movie. Jessica Williams’ involvement was enough to guarantee that, but then the overwhelmingly positive reviews started rolling out of Sundance, and now this trailer has pushed us fully over the edge.
Williams plays James, “an aspiring playwright in New York, fresh from a break up,” who “strikes up a new relationship with a recently divorced man (Chris O’Dowd).” It also stars Lakeith Stanfield (Atlanta, Straight Outta Compton, Get Out) and Noël Wells (Master of None).
The banter between Williams and O’Dowd is a total delight, but the best part of the trailer is, hands down, Jessica James’ unapologetic (except, you know, for that time she apologizes) feminist drive and total badass confidence.
But the movie will no doubt tackle her insecurities as well. Williams has spoken before in other contexts, about how interesting she finds that kind of duality, when strong women are perceived with an expectation “that you should always have your shit together.” She says that for her, “as a black woman of color, I feel like I’m supposed to represent these ideals and values that I was taught as a young lady. Like I’m supposed to carry myself in a special type of way, but oftentimes I’m, like… I’m still in my 20s, and still kind of a mess.”
We’ve missed Jessica Williams since she left The Daily Show last year (but you are listening to her podcast, right??), but we are so excited for this move to fully-fledged leading actor.
The Incredible Jessica James premieres on Netflix July 28th.
(image: screengrab)
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