Kara Young, already a celebrated figure in theater with four Tony Award nominations and two wins for her roles in Purlie Victorious and Purpose, is now poised to make a significant impact on the screen. Hopes are high that her new movie, Is God Is, will establish her as a sought-after talent in film. Young stars as Racine, alongside Mallori Johnson’s Anaia, in Aleshea Harris’s big screen adaptation of her own play, which also marks Harris's feature directorial debut. The film centers on twin sisters, Racine and Anaia, who, after enduring severe burns as children and years in the foster system, are summoned by their estranged mother. From her deathbed, their mother tasks them with a crucial mission: to kill the person responsible for their burns and hers, urging them to “Make your daddy dead.”

Is God Is is described as an electrifying, bold, and singularly stylish revenge thriller, featuring powerhouse performances anchored by the exceptional lead duo of Young and Johnson. While Johnson’s Anaia is known as “the quiet one,” Young’s Racine is depicted as “the rough one,” a role in which Young truly excels by portraying Racine's unbridled determination and ferocity. Currently, Young is performing on Broadway again in Proof, sharing the stage with Ayo Edebiri and Don Cheadle, but her spellbinding work in Is God Is is seen as a powerful calling card for her future screen career.

Despite her numerous accolades, Young maintains a grounded perspective on her success, humorously stating, “I still feel like that girl who’s working five jobs and trying to do a show” when reflecting on her Tony nominations and wins. She describes the feeling of such prestigious honors as consistently surprising, with a sense of time moving quickly while still feeling connected to her humble beginnings. Young's approach to her craft is deeply rooted in intention: “I have an intention to do justice to the story, a justice to the writer, a justice to the world, and even more importantly, humanity for the character.” She emphasizes using her platform as a Black woman to advocate for humanity and shift consciousness, especially through characters who are often unseen or unheard, ensuring their stories and words are profoundly impactful.

Her Tony-nominated roles exemplify this philosophy. Her first nomination for Clyde’s saw her portray Letitia, a formerly incarcerated woman rehabilitating into society while caring for a sickly child. This role highlighted issues within a broken healthcare system, the necessities of capitalism, and the resilience of a mother trying to survive against systemic failures. Next, for Cost of Living, Young depicted a first-generation American, a Princeton graduate, forced to live out of her car, illustrating the harsh realities many face despite hard work. Her first Tony win for Purlie Victorious celebrated a domestic worker, giving voice to millions of unacknowledged Black women. The following year, her win for Purpose reinforced her belief that her work is important, needs to be seen and heard, and is actively helping to change the world.

Is God Is represents another vital story Young is bringing to the forefront, this time on the big screen, under the visionary direction of Aleshea Harris. Despite it being Harris’s directorial debut, Young praises her as a visionary with an incredibly clear vision, especially considering the project's magnitude and complexity. Young remarked, “Aleshea says jump, I’m gonna jump,” reflecting her profound trust in the director. Harris’s adaptation is hailed as a staggeringly impressive debut, showcasing intricate world-building and language. Young highlighted that every detail and frame in the film is a testament to Harris's singular vision, making it an essential cinematic experience for a large audience. Young's commitment to the character of Racine was fearless, involving extensive research, breakdown, and building history from Harris’s clues. It was a “jump into the fire” to explore Racine’s raw instincts, operating from gut and heart, driven by survival and the quest for justice for her