Zola 2021

Zola shares her extraordinary story with a fellow dancer, taking us back to the wild events of 2015 that she chronicled in a series of 148 tweets. The narrative centers on Aziah “Zola” King, played by Taylour Paige, a confident waitress and occasional stripper from Detroit. While serving at her job, Zola crosses paths with the vivacious and outspoken Riley Keough, who plays Stefani. Their instant camaraderie leads to a spontaneous invitation for Zola to join Stefani for a night of dancing at a local club.

Things take a dramatic turn when Stefani proposes a road trip to Tampa, Florida—a place where she claims they can rake in substantial cash at a strip club. Zola reluctantly agrees to accompany Stefani, along with her enigmatic roommate, Colman Domingo as X, and Stefani’s timid boyfriend, Nicholas Braun, as Derrek, leaving behind her boyfriend Sean, portrayed by Ari’el Stachel, without a word about this unexpected journey.

Upon reaching Tampa, the trio makes a questionable decision to leave Derrek at a rundown motel as they venture out to the club where Stefani assures Zola they’ll make a fortune. Their reality, however, is far from what was promised when their earnings fall short of expectations. The situation escalates when Zola discovers that Stefani and X have devised a plan to sell them online through an advertisement on Backpage, showcasing Zola’s image without her consent.

When Zola attempts to step back, she faces threats from X, who unveils his identity as Stefani’s pimp. He knows where Zola lives and warns her to comply for her own safety. Things become even more precarious when they end up at a lavish hotel where Stefani engages in shady dealings with clients. Struggling to maintain her autonomy, Zola becomes increasingly uneasy, particularly when she realizes that X is charging clients a mere $150—a stark contrast to the $500 she believes they should be earning.

In an attempt to help Stefani make the money she deserves, Zola adjusts the advertisement but quickly finds herself caught in a whirlwind of danger when the group is confronted by Dion, played by Jason Mitchell, a man Derrek befriends at the motel. X’s fury over Derrek’s chatter about their motives leads to a dramatic escape from their current hotel.

As chaos ensues, Zola’s trust in Stefani diminishes, especially after uncovering her manipulation of other dancers into the sordid world of prostitution. Tensions peak when X introduces another layer of danger, arming Zola and sending her and Stefani into precarious situations.

In a dire turn of events, what starts as a trip into the world of easy money spirals into a fight for survival. After a harrowing encounter that involves betrayal and gun violence, Zola’s experiences ultimately culminate in a reckoning that leaves her questioning her relationships. As Zola contemplates the nightmarish escapade, she and Stefani’s bond shatters, culminating in a dramatic finale where Zola is left grappling with the choices that have led them to such a turbulent conclusion.