Originally screened at Tribeca 2021 as NO RUNNING, it was renamed OUTSIDERS – Like a great song that changes keys throughout its playing time, No Running (2021) changes tone, genres, and antagonists throughout the film, keeping the audience on their toes thanks to clever writing from Tucker Morgan. Directed by Delmar Washington as his first feature film, No Running will be screening at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival as part of its Juneteenth programming, where it stands out in the Feature Film category with its riveting story and its endearing and tragic protagonist. No Running‘s cast is a mix of fresh, burgeoning actors who were allowed to further flourish in the film’s serious roles, as well as career veterans who I was overjoyed to see continuing to make their marks in film.

No Running follows a black teenager named Jaylen (Skylan Brooks), who is adjusting from growing up in an abusive home to now living in a small town with small-minded people after relocating with his mom and sisters. A young woman named Amira (Clark Backo) offers understanding and solace for him, but after they share their first kiss, Amira seemingly vanishes right before his eyes. With his alleged history of violence, the town quickly deems him the number one suspect, but after Jaylen launches his own investigation, he tumbles down a rabbit hole of otherworldly mysteries that the town has been harboring.

I dare not give too much away about this film as there are mysteries on top of mysteries that were a pleasant surprise to discover during my viewing, however, I simply must say that director Delmar Washington and writer Tucker Morgan created a well-structured, beautifully shot movie that feels a lot more grown-up than most other teen or young adult-led movies, It was not necessarily a horror movie, but the team includes a few heart-racing jumpscares, never letting the pace subside below-resting heart rate. Thick with social commentary on race and how antebellum views continue to fuel prejudices to this very day, No Running has many layers, each juicier than the last.

Alternating between a teen angst drama, a mystery thriller, and science fiction, No Running runs the gamut of cinematic genres in one sitting — a full course meal punctuated by beats of horrific moments. Musical beats of thumping hip hop tracks created by Blitz//Berlin (Blade Runner 2036 composers) coupled with familiar ominous-sounding musical scores typically found in horror films cultivated a fresh, urban feeling for the film. This contrasted with the setting of the majority-white town, further exposing the otherness created between the town and their new black residents.

With sweeping scenic shots, sometimes interesting framing that played with perspective, and its relatively slow and controlled approach to telling a story that at its heart is a sci-fi thriller gives No Running the look of an artsy film, but the feeling it captures of angst and urban plight gives the film. Co-starring the likes of Shane West (A Walk to Remember). Rutina Wesley (True Blood), and Taryn Manning (Orange Is The New Black), and Diamond White (Boo! A Madea Halloween), No Running gets the star treatment for portraying its thrilling story.

MOVIE RATING — 7.25 out of 10