Jinn

Jinn, released in 2018, is a contemporary, coming-of-age story driven by compelling performances and the exploration of identity, faith, and the often complex journey of self-discovery. The movie is directed and written by Nijla Mu’min and it is an intimate portrayal of the challenges teens face when they grapple with their own identities, particularly when those identities are under the influence of both culture and religion.

The film centers around the intriguing life of Summer Jennings, masterfully played by Zoe Renee, an adventurous, fun-loving and extremely popular 17-year-old high school student. Summer knows exactly who she is: she’s a lover of dance, her friends, and possibly her potential boyfriend Tahir, played by Kelvin Harrison Jr. However, her life begins to unfold in ways that she never expected when her mother Jade Jennings, portrayed by the incredibly versatile Simone Missick, converts to Islam. Notwithstanding the upheavals in her life, Summer navigates her way around these sudden changes while battling with her own teenage insecurities and exploring her individuality.

Jade is a successful TV meteorologist whose life is marked by a profound spiritual void, which leads to her embracing Islam. The very nature of her job means that she’s constantly in the public eye, throwing her deepening religious commitment into sharp focus. From her change of attire to her habitudes, everything reflects her journey towards self-realization. But with her transformation comes the inevitable generational clash with Summer.

Caught between the worlds, Summer must reconcile her soon-to-be transformed mother's faith and her personal understanding of identity, sexuality, and adolescence. The movie takes viewers on a nuanced voyage of self-discovery, as Summer attempts to fathom the essential meaning of being a 'Jinn.' In Islamic mythology, a 'Jinn' is a supernatural being, which like humans, has free will, and it's this concept that serves as a metaphor resonating throughout the picture in a beautifully understated manner.

The film is further enhanced by its supporting characters, such as Tahir, who plays an important role in Summer's life journey. The character Tahir, embodied by Kelvin Harrison Jr., is a devout Muslim boy who serves as both a love interest and a guide to help Summer during her certain times of confusion and self-introspection. Dorian Missick, playing as David, Summer's long lost father, adds another layer to the story. His entry into the narrative further steepens Summer's journey of finding her true self.

Another key role is played by Hisham Tawfiq, who characterizes Imam Khalid, the spiritual leader of the local community mosque. He provides a much-needed framework for understanding Islam and reflects the maturity, serenity, and wisdom that comes with absolute faith.

Jinn's narrative also challenges many misconceptions about Islam, pushing back against stereotypical portrayals and encouraging a dialogue about religious and cultural diversity. It effectively deals with themes of race, faith, teenage angst, freedom, and the universal voyage of self-discovery. Notably, the movie breaks away from the usual portrayal of Islam as a rigid, uncompromising religious structure, instead, it represents it as pliant and adaptable, capable of coexisting with the flashes of modernity, individuality and personal freedom.

This independent feature film is colored with gorgeous shots, which mirror the exhilarating confusion and vibrancy in Summer's world. The captivating shots of Southern California play almost as a character in itself, adding depth to the story. To top it all off, Jinn is reinforced by a rhythmic and soulful soundtrack, which perfectly complements the narrative's tone.

By the end, Jinn leaves you pondering over sensitive yet deep-seated themes like identity crises, coming of age dilemmas, mother-daughter relationships, faith and personal freedoms. All in all, the film manages to stir a dialogue, start conversations and hopefully, change perspectives through its power-packed performances, fluid narrative and meaningful story-line. Undeniably, 'Jinn' is a thought-provoking exploration of a teenager's life skeptical of faith, yet curious about traditions. It can be seen as a gentle, poignant reminder of the fact that life, like faith, is not always black or white and that the journey to find our true self is what truly shapes us.