Bad Hair: Self Aware and Succeeding

Look, Bad Hair (2020) knows it has a silly premise and bonkers story. But it leans into it with humour and fun.

And said silly premise? A woman, Anna Bludso (Elle Lorraine),gets a weave with a taste for blood. This is a firm, b-movie idea, but it knows it, and makes the most out of it.

Because it's not just about the killer hair, it's about the pressure to change yourself in the workplace, particularly as a woman, and particularly as a black woman. This gives the idea meat and meaning, putting it alongside the likes of Peele's subtle scripts well.

Bad Hair is set at a television station in the 80s, undergoing the commodification of hip-hop culture. It's background is subtle, its dialogue, when not about killer weaves, is interlaced with meaning. And although its not set in the modern day, it has plenty to say about contemporary attitudes. The whole conflict, after all, begins because textured hair is not trendy enough. If Anna wants to succeed in the industry, she has to change herself to conform to 'standards.'

So follows the classic plot-line of a woman changing herself to get ahead, becoming a 'monster,' and ultimately realising that who she is isn't so bad after all. Only, there is the risk of becoming a literal, blood drinking monster. (Is it more poignant that she must do this to 'survive' the industry?)It's not that egregious, when (!!) is quite an annoying character to start; she's a little too meek and mild to really like. When she starts growing, she becomes more likeable.

For a 'b-movie,' some credit has to be given to the creativity of the story line. The focus on 'black slave stories,' and forgotten narratives tie into the theme well, and the mythos of the Moth Haired Girl is some great world building. (As far as I can find, this was invented for the movie, but I may be wrong.) It gives us rules, which is always appreciated in a creature-feature. Of course, its very easy to see how our characters are going to defeat the hair; the suspense comes from when, and how. Though perhaps that lessens the impact of that 'killer always returns' ending.

And even though its a film about killer hair, it does include some gruesome scenes. This hair kills, and kills brutally, delivering some bloody action. I'd question whether the hair's hunger really had to go there in a certain gross-out scene. It's undeniably cringe inducing, but that probably means its doing its job.

The plot is solid and Anna's conflict is compelling. It doesn't feel trivial when this is clearly what she's always been working towards.

Overall, for a movie with a 'silly plot,' Bad Hair works in social commentary, authentic experience and well-delivered kills in order to craft an enjoyable movie. It's certainly worth a watch if you want something a little less serious, with a little more comedy.