🎬 Bad Hair (2020) – Movie Review, Cast, Plot & More | FULL MOVIE DOWNLOAD

Rating: ★★★☆☆
Genre: Horror / Satire / Comedy
Runtime: 1h 42m
Directed by: Justin Simien
Written by: Justin Simien
Release Date: October 16, 2020
Distributed by: Hulu, Neon
Budget: $8.9 million

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🧠 Overview

Bad Hair is a 2020 satirical horror film from filmmaker Justin Simien, best known for Dear White People. Blending social commentary with eerie supernatural suspense, the film dives deep into Black culture, beauty standards, and the terror of assimilation—all wrapped in a nostalgic 1980s setting. It premiered at Sundance and later became a Hulu Original.

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👩🏾‍🦱 Plot Summary

Set in 1989 Los Angeles, Bad Hair follows Anna Bludso (played by Elle Lorraine), an ambitious young African-American woman working as an assistant at a popular music television station. Quiet, reserved, and often overlooked, Anna is desperate to rise through the ranks. But when her company undergoes a major rebranding under new leadership, Anna finds herself pressured to “look the part” to fit into a polished, corporate image.

That "look" means straight, sleek, “professional” hair—a far cry from Anna’s natural curls. Encouraged by her new boss, Zora (played by Vanessa Williams), Anna reluctantly agrees to get a weave from a mysterious salon.

But as soon as the weave is sewn into her scalp, Anna’s life begins to unravel. The hair has a life of its own—quite literally. The weave feeds on blood, has a terrifying will, and begins to take control. What follows is a descent into madness, where Anna must confront the horrifying truth behind the hair and the cultural systems that demand conformity at a deadly cost.

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👥 Main Cast

• Elle Lorraine as Anna Bludso

• Vanessa Williams as Zora

• Jay Pharoah as Julius

• Lena Waithe as Brook-Lynne

• Blair Underwood as Amos Bludso

• Laverne Cox as Virgie

• Kelly Rowland as Sandra

• Usher Raymond IV as Germane D.

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🧵 Themes & Symbolism

Bad Hair is more than a horror film. It critiques societal pressures placed on Black women—especially in corporate or media spaces—to alter their natural hair. The weave becomes a metaphor for cultural assimilation and self-erasure. The film doesn’t shy away from using exaggerated horror tropes to highlight how beauty standards can become violently oppressive.

Justin Simien blends humor and horror with messages that reflect real-life trauma. While the "killer hair" premise might seem absurd on the surface, it cleverly masks deeper truths about identity, conformity, and survival.

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🎥 Visuals & Soundtrack

The film's retro aesthetic is one of its strongest assets. Cinematographer Topher Osborn gives Bad Hair an authentic ‘80s look, complete with grainy textures and VHS-style visuals. The eerie score by Kris Bowers adds another layer of suspense and tension.

Simien uses practical effects and throwback horror elements like dim lighting, blood splatters, and supernatural hallucinations to pay homage to classic genre films while telling a distinctly modern and racially charged story.

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🧟‍♀️ Reception

Bad Hair received mixed-to-positive reviews. While many praised its originality, bold message, and Elle Lorraine's breakout performance, others felt the horror didn’t always land. Still, it has earned a cult following for its unique style and unapologetic commentary.

Google Users: 65% liked this film
Rotten Tomatoes: 62%
IMDb Rating: 5.6/10

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📺 Where to Watch

Bad Hair is available for streaming on Hulu, with select distribution by Neon for theatrical and international release.

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🔚 Final Thoughts

Bad Hair is not just a horror movie—it’s a sharp, satirical mirror reflecting the real-life horrors of beauty standards and racial identity. If you’re into thought-provoking horror with a message, this film is a must-watch. It may not be terrifying in the traditional sense, but the questions it raises will haunt you long after the credits roll.