Lola 2023

Lola James leads a double life as an exotic dancer by night and a grocer by morning, juggling two demanding jobs in a bid to give herself and her 9-year-old brother, Arlo, a shot at a better future. They hold onto a hopeful dream of moving to Texas so Arlo can attend a creative kids art school, away from their troubled home. Their mother, Mona, is an overly religious, controlling presence who is quick to show hostility toward Arlo when he expresses an interest in makeup and fluidity, creating a tense, painful dynamic at home.

After witnessing Mona physically confront Arlo, Lola makes a decisive move: she packs up and stays with her coworker and best friend, Babina, and Babina’s mother, Pearl. Just as Lola is nearing the amount of money she needs to move forward, a coworker reports a shoplifting incident and Lola is fired. In a harsh turn of events, Lola returns to Mona’s house to retrieve their dog Mikey and, at Mona’s invitation, is assaulted by Trick, Mona’s boyfriend. Mona discovers where Arlo is being kept and, against Lola’s wishes, comes back for him.

That same night, Mona cuts Arlo’s hair to fear he might be transgender and be condemned by God. An anguished Arlo runs away, is hit by a car, and dies. The tragedy devastates Lola, and Mona scapegoats her for what happened. Lola sinks deeper into her addiction, begging Malachi for cocaine, only to break down when he refuses. Ill and pregnant, Lola discovers she is carrying Trick’s child. She resolves to keep the baby and vows to remain clean, with Babina’s support.

The following day, Malachi drives Lola to an addict support group meeting. As her pregnancy becomes noticeable, a coworker at the strip club shows admiration for her decision to keep the child, and Babina helps by researching motherhood and helping Lola regain her job. A chance encounter with Mona at the pharmacy reveals the father of Lola’s child, much to Mona’s dismay. The kindness of the strip club coworkers provides Lola with some financial help, and she shares her story at the final support meeting. Six months into the pregnancy, Babina drives Lola to the bus station for a fresh start, and the two share a tearful goodbye.

Years later, Lola is seen enjoying a carnival with her daughter and Malachi, hinting at a hard-won sense of life continuing despite the losses and struggles she endured.