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Selah and the Spades (2019): Cast, Ratings, Plot & Where to Watch

Selah and the Spades (2019) movie poster

Selah and the Spades is a 2019 drama directed by Tayarisha Poe, starring Lovie Simone as Selah Summers, Gina Torres and Jharrel Jerome. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes. Its Echo Score is 72/100. Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video.

Selah and the Spades (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 37m (97 min)
Director
Tayarisha Poe
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Selah and the Spades About?

The premise of Selah and the Spades without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

At an elite prep school, Paloma, a new student, finds herself immersed in the intense rivalries between senior class factions. Drawn to the Spades, a powerful group, she befriends Selah, their mysterious and calculating leader. Paloma is quickly pulled into their world of complex power dynamics and hidden agendas, navigating a landscape of social pressures and escalating conflicts.

Where to watch

Where to Watch Selah and the Spades

Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Selah and the Spades Cast & Characters

Lovie Simone leads the cast as Selah Summers, with Gina Torres as Maybelle Summers and Jharrel Jerome as Maxxie Ayoade. Directed by Tayarisha Poe; 27 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Selah and the Spades

· 23 more
Show all 27 cast members
Ratings

Selah and the Spades Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 72/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

72 /100

Selah and the Spades Echo Score Breakdown

Selah and the Spades presents a visually bold debut that showcases strong direction and an engaging cast, yet its narrative cohesion remains uneven. Critics praise the film's stylistic flair and nuanced performances, while several reviewers note a lack of narrative momentum and an unsatisfying climax. The mixed reception on story structure and replay value moderates the overall impact, resulting in a respectable but not outstanding aggregate score.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels with a distinctive visual palette and confident direction. Reviewers highlight the striking cinematography, stylized production design, and polished editing that give the movie a strong aesthetic identity. Only isolated criticism points to occasional rough editing, but the consensus underscores a high level of technical achievement. Overall, the craft elements are a major strength.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When evaluating character and emotion, the performances are consistently praised. Critics note charismatic, nuanced portrayals and solid chemistry among the ensemble, especially highlighting the lead’s breakthrough work. One user remark cites solid acting, while a negative comment mentions flat‑line delivery. The predominance of positive feedback indicates the cast delivers depth and resonance, making character work a clear asset.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Story and flow receive mixed assessments, with several reviewers citing a lack of narrative momentum and an unsatisfying conclusion. Positive notes mention fresh perspectives and satirical ambition, yet criticisms focus on limited plot stakes and an ending that feels safe. The balance of praise for originality against concerns over coherence positions the storytelling as an area of moderate effectiveness.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    Sensory experience is largely celebrated for its striking visual style and immersive atmosphere. Critics describe the film as visually stunning, with an aesthetic that enhances the thematic tone. Although one reviewer mentions poor sound quality, the overwhelming feedback emphasizes effective soundtrack integration and cohesive visual design, establishing sensory elements as a notable strength.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    Rewatch factor appears limited, with critics and users expressing a desire for stronger narrative incentives to view again. While some find the film interesting enough for a second look, several point out that the story does not compel repeat engagements. This ambivalence results in a modest score reflecting modest replay appeal.

Plot

Selah and the Spades Plot Summary

What happens in Selah and the Spades from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Selah Summers (Lovie Simone) is in her final year at the prestigious Haldwell Boarding and Day School, where she is a key figure in the school’s social hierarchy. She leads the [spades] faction, which is responsible for handling the drug dealings within the school, a position that gives her considerable power but also puts her at constant risk of exposure and betrayal. Her trusted confidant and enforcer, Maxxie, played by Jharrel Jerome, assists her in maintaining control of their operations. As she prepares to graduate, Selah faces the difficult challenge of choosing a successor to take over her faction, grappling with the fear of losing influence and control.

Full summary

The whole story of Selah and the Spades, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Selah and the Spades Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 1 trailer and 6 featurettes.

All 7 videos
Official Trailer
  • Featurette Best Quotes | Selah and the Spades | Prime Video
  • Featurette Director Tayarisha Poe on making SELAH AND THE SPADES
  • Featurette Director Tayarisha Poe on why SELAH AND THE SPADES starts with "A Film By Us All"
  • Featurette SELAH AND THE SPADES director Tayarisha Poe on the characters in her film SELAH AND THE SPADES
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Selah and the Spades?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who plays the role of Selah Summers?

Details

Selah and the Spades Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “Selah et les Spades” and “Selah und die Spades”.

Also known as
  • Selah et les Spades
  • Selah und die Spades
  • Selah e Os Espadas
  • 셀라 앤 더 스페이드
  • Selah y las picas
  • סלע והעדרים
  • Села и Пики
  • 赛拉和黑桃乐队
  • Selah ve Dostları
  • Selah és a Pikkek
  • Η Σέλα και τα Μπαστούνια
  • セラとチーム・スペード

Seen Selah and the Spades?

FAQ

Selah and the Spades FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch and post-credit scenes of Selah and the Spades, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Selah and the Spades?

Selah and the Spades runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).

When was Selah and the Spades released?

Selah and the Spades was released on January 27, 2019.

Who directed Selah and the Spades?

Selah and the Spades was directed by Tayarisha Poe.

More films by Tayarisha Poe

Who is in the cast of Selah and the Spades?

Selah and the Spades stars Lovie Simone as Selah Summers, Gina Torres as Maybelle Summers and Jharrel Jerome as Maxxie Ayoade, among 27 credited actors.

Where can I watch Selah and the Spades?

In the US, Selah and the Spades is streaming on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video (availability from JustWatch).

Does Selah and the Spades have a post-credit scene?

No. Selah and the Spades has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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