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Fantasy comedy

The American Society of Magical Negroes (2024): Cast & Ratings

The American Society of Magical Negroes (2024) movie poster

The American Society of Magical Negroes is a 2024 fantasy comedy starring Justice Smith as Aren, Gillian Vigman and David Alan Grier. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $2.5 million worldwide on a $15 million budget. Critics gave it 25% on Rotten Tomatoes and 50 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
25%
worldwide gross
$2.5M
Echo Score
37
Metascore
50
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The American Society of Magical Negroes (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Genres
Comedy , Fantasy
Original language
English
Budget
$15M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The American Society of Magical Negroes About?

The premise of The American Society of Magical Negroes without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A young man named Aren, played by Justice Smith, finds himself drawn into the world of a secret and mystical organization. The American Society of Magical Negroes is dedicated to subtly easing the challenges faced by white people. As Aren joins their ranks, he learns about their unique abilities and the group’s commitment to making life a little easier for those around them.

The American Society of Magical Negroes Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • racism
  • discrimination
  • racial discrimination
  • magical negro stereotype
  • stuck in the past
  • magic
  • cultural appropriation
  • social injustice
  • yarn art
  • dead on arrival
  • appealing to someone's ego
  • lowest common denominator
+38 more
  • persecution fantasy
  • reference to harry potter
  • african american
  • cultural difference
  • race relations
  • black man
  • satire comedy
  • six word title
  • virtue signaling
  • teleportation
  • start up
  • earring
  • debit card
  • false accusation of theft
  • dumpster
  • prologue
  • waiter
  • penis slur
  • cynicism
  • reference to a pirate
  • bar
  • apology
  • sarcasm
  • fear
  • barber
  • barbershop
  • time jump
  • los angeles california
  • street life
  • supporting character as subject
  • irony
  • begins with text
  • racial tension
  • location jump
  • scene during opening credits
  • flashback
  • montage
  • making people uncomfortable
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Cast & crew

The American Society of Magical Negroes Cast & Characters

Justice Smith leads the cast as Aren, with Gillian Vigman as Andrea and David Alan Grier as Roger.

Also Starring in The American Society of Magical Negroes

· 16 more
Ratings

The American Society of Magical Negroes Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The American Society of Magical Negroes 25% on Rotten Tomatoes and 50 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 37/100, strongest in character & emotion (50) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

37 /100

The American Society of Magical Negroes Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, The American Society of Magical Negroes struggles to maintain consistent narrative focus and emotional resonance. Critics frequently highlighted the film’s uneven tonal shifts and the failure of its satirical premise to engage fully, while only occasional sequences delivered meaningful commentary or authentic feeling. The combination of diffident direction, scattered structure, and lack of thematic weight prevents the film from achieving a cohesive impact. Despite moments of genuine emotion and visual inventiveness, the overall viewing experience remains underwhelming and fails to leave a lasting impression.

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

  • Art & Craft 35

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s direction and visual design exhibit tentative execution with sporadic flair. Reviewers observed diffident pacing and a restrained aesthetic that undercut the intended satirical energy. Production elements occasionally display inventive touches, but inconsistent editing and muted cinematography prevent a unified stylistic vision. Overall, the technical craftsmanship does not consistently support the film’s thematic ambitions.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    When it comes to character depth and emotional resonance, performances show intermittent strength but fail to sustain engagement. Some critiques acknowledged nuanced interactions and moments of authenticity in the protagonists’ relationship, yet the broader cast often lacks depth and chemistry. Observers noted that emotional stakes remain underdeveloped, limiting the viewer’s investment in character arcs. Therefore, the film’s character work provides interest but does not coalesce into a compelling ensemble dynamic.

  • Story & Flow 40

    In terms of story and flow, the film’s narrative suffers from uneven pacing and a dispersed structure. Many critics pointed to an aimless progression that dilutes the satirical premise between a strong opening and closing. Originality in the central concept is acknowledged, but the script fails to develop its ideas consistently, leading to stretches of inertia. Consequently, plot coherence and engagement remain fragmented throughout the runtime.

  • Sensory Experience 45

    When it comes to the sensory experience, the film delivers occasional visual interest but lacks consistent audio-visual cohesion. Some reviews noted moments of striking imagery, yet the soundtrack and sound design remain subdued and rarely enhance the tone. Editing choices further disrupt rhythm, contributing to an inert atmosphere. Overall, the sensory elements underutilize potential to reinforce the film’s thematic and emotional intentions.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    When it comes to rewatch value, the film’s uneven execution and tonal inconsistencies limit repeat appeal. While initial curiosity may prompt a second viewing, the lack of sustained narrative engagement and the failure to deepen key themes reduce incentive to revisit. Occasional humorous or emotional passages offer brief highlights, but they are insufficient to counterbalance the overall fragmentation. As a result, the film offers limited lasting appeal for multiple viewings.

Plot

The American Society of Magical Negroes Plot Summary

What happens in The American Society of Magical Negroes from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film opens with commentary on the “magical negro”, a character trope often found in stories, typically existing to advance the narrative of a white protagonist. While many perceive this stereotype as merely fictional, there are some who acknowledge its existence in reality.

Full summary

The whole story of The American Society of Magical Negroes, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The American Society of Magical Negroes Box Office & Budget

The American Society of Magical Negroes grossed $2.5 million worldwide on a $15 million budget, 17% of what it cost. $2.5 million came from the US and Canada and $15,603 (1%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.5M

17% of its budget back

US & Canada
$2.5M
International
$15.6K
Budget
$15M
US & Canada 99% Rest of the world 1%
Videos

The American Society of Magical Negroes Trailers & Videos

8 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser, 3 clips and 3 featurettes.

All 8 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser Watch At Home Tomorrow!
  • Clip "White Discomfort" Official Clip
  • Clip "Job Interview" Official Clip
  • Clip Fit For Membership? - Extended Preview
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The American Society of Magical Negroes?

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

What dilemma does Aren face at the beginning of the movie?

Details

The American Society of Magical Negroes Also Known As

20 alternative titles, including “האגודה האמריקאית של השחור הקסום” and “האגודה האמריקאית לשחורים קסומים”.

Also known as
  • האגודה האמריקאית של השחור הקסום
  • האגודה האמריקאית לשחורים קסומים
  • La sociedad estadounidense de negros mágicos
  • Bűvös Négerek Amerikai Társasága
  • Amerikan Büyülü Zenciler Birliği
  • Người Da Đen Phép Thuật
  • La Sociedad Americana de Negros Mágicos
  • La sociedad americana de negros mágicos, ჯადოქარი ზანგების ამერიკული საზოგადოება
  • Американское общество негров-волшебников
  • 美国黑人魔法协会
  • La société américaine des noirs magiques
  • Amerikan Büyülü Zenciler Biriği
+8 more
  • Американське товариство негрів-чарівників
  • Amerykańskie Stowarzyszenie Magicznych Murzynów
  • A Sociedade Norte-Americana dos Negros Mágicos
  • 디 아메리칸 소사이어티 오브 매지컬 니그로
  • 美國黑人魔法協會
  • אגודת השחורים הקסומים של אמריקה
  • La società americana dei Magical Negroes
  • สมาคมพ่อมดนิโกรแห่งอเมริกา

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FAQ

The American Society of Magical Negroes FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The American Society of Magical Negroes, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The American Society of Magical Negroes?

The American Society of Magical Negroes runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was The American Society of Magical Negroes released?

The American Society of Magical Negroes was released on March 15, 2024.

Who is in the cast of The American Society of Magical Negroes?

The American Society of Magical Negroes stars Justice Smith as Aren, Gillian Vigman as Andrea and David Alan Grier as Roger, among 20 credited actors.

How much did The American Society of Magical Negroes make at the box office?

The American Society of Magical Negroes grossed $2.5 million worldwide ($2.5 million domestic, $15,603 international) on a budget of $15 million.

How is The American Society of Magical Negroes rated?

The American Society of Magical Negroes has 25% on Rotten Tomatoes, 50 on Metacritic, 47% on TMDB and 2.5/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The American Society of Magical Negroes have a post-credit scene?

No. The American Society of Magical Negroes has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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