ABFF 2025 Review: Invite Your Family and Friends Over and Watch ‘Strung’

Directed by: Malcolm D. Lee
Screenplay by: Alan McElroy (Spawn, Star Trek: Discovery)
Produced by: Tyler Perry (Peachtree & Vine Productions), Jason Blum (Blumhouse), Tim Palen (Peachtree & Vine Productions), Malcolm D. Lee (Blackmaled Productions), Dominique Telson p.g.a
Executive Producers: Philip Waley, Shaun S. Sutton, Alan McElroy, Giselle Johnson-Morris 
Starring: Chloe Bailey, Lynn Whitfield, Lucien Laviscount, Anna Diop, Coco Jones
Run Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Rating: R
Streaming exclusively on Peacock

“Be careful what you wish for” has been a warning trope and theme in films and television for over 110 years. The narrative framework of “be careful what you wish for” originated in W.W. Jacobs’ 1902 short story, “The Monkey’s Paw.” It then became a one-act play in 1903 at London’s Haymarket Theatre. The first film adaptation was the silent British short horror film, The Monkey’s Paw (1915), directed by Sidney Northcote. The now-famous theme hit television in the 50s and 60s, popularized by the Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode “The Monkey’s Paw” (1955) and The Twilight Zone episodes featuring genies, deals with the devil, and unintended cosmic curses. Here we are in 2026, with a tale that is truly almost as old as cinematic time: Strung. This film takes the theme a bit further, saying, “Be careful what you dream.”

Strung is the latest from director Malcolm D. Lee (The Best Man, Girls Trip). It is a good time on the big screen, especially with your friends or even random Black strangers. I don’t think I have had so much fun at a premiere of a psychological thriller. The audience at the African American Film Festival (ABFF) premiere in Miami was locked in and had the best reactions to the twists and turns this film offers. 

Strung follows a talented violinist, Laila, played by Chloe Bailey (Grown-ish), as she navigates the ups and downs of adulting and pursues her dream of playing with the Philharmonic. Short on funds and a place to live, Laila takes a prestigious job as a music tutor for the gifted daughter of an influential and wealthy family. As she becomes entangled in their opulent world and attached to the young daughter, played by Romy Woods, unsettling secrets begin to surface. Laila questions her choices, her safety, sanity, and even her dreams. Strung also stars Lynn Whitfield (A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, Greenleaf), Anna Diop (Titans, The Book of Clarence), Coco Jones (Bel-Air, Let it Shine), and Lucien Laviscount (Emily in Paris, Scream Queens).

This cast is everything. The beauty, the grace, the presence. The emotion they evoke in the audience is something to be applauded. They invite you in, and you feel like you are part of the story. Chloe is very convincing as the sweet yet naive struggling artist. Coco brings the comedic timing as the best friend. Lucien is gorgeous eye candy, of course, but also brings an unexpected energy to the film as the story progresses. The real gems of this film are Anna and Lynn. They are both powerful in every scene. They command your attention with a look, their demeanor, and even line delivery.

The direction is bold. Malcolm D. Lee did his thing with this one. You think you know where this story is headed, only to be hit with twists and turns you never saw coming. This was fun and psychologically thrilling as you try to figure out what is happening. You snicker, you shake your head in disbelief, but you also laugh and gasp in shock.

There are some deeper themes in there about trust, family dynamics, socioeconomics, and colorism. But they are there as background rather than focal points. Those familiar with these specific beats may get more out of the story as a whole than those who have not dealt with such things. But this truly is a film for everyone.

What it comes down to is that Strung is an entertaining film that will invite you to talk and yell at your screen. Probably why it is streaming on Peacock and not in theaters. The filmmakers know we will get dramatic about this one.