THE KITCHEN (2023) REVIEW

 

Izi and Benji: The Kitchen (2023)

Introducing the directorial debut of a dynamic duo – Oscar-winning actor Daniel Kaluuya and visionary Kibwe Tavares – “The Kitchen” serves up a near-future dystopian tale set in London. Picture this: affordable housing is as rare as a sunny day in England, and the gap between the haves and have-nots widens faster than a kettle boiling.

Meet Izi (played by Kane Robinson), a loner living in the Kitchen, a futuristic housing project that's like a wild mashup of Hong Kong’s Kowloon Walled City. Think skyscrapers on steroids, complete with its own set of problems, including brutal police raids and a bleak outlook on life. Izi's just trying to survive, working at a funeral service that turns loved ones into trees – yeah, you read that right.

But his plans to escape this concrete jungle get flipped upside down when he crosses paths with Benji (played by Jedaiah Bannerman), a wide-eyed orphan looking for a guardian angel. Cue the buddy-cop montage as these two mismatched souls navigate life's ups and downs in a world that's more off-kilter than a wonky shopping cart.

Kaluuya and Tavares knock it out of the park with their direction, delivering scenes packed with tension and moments of introspection that hit harder than a double-decker bus. The Kitchen itself is a character, alive with vibrant colors and pulsating energy, from neon-lit underground raves to impromptu freestyle battles.

But don't be fooled – this ain't your typical poverty porn. Sure, there's struggle, but there's also joy in the everyday, like Benji's awkward attempts at first kisses and nods to Black culture that'll have you nodding along.

Robinson and Bannerman shine, bringing depth and nuance to their characters' unlikely bond. But as the story unfolds, you might find yourself tangled in a web of loose ends and unanswered questions, like a plate of spaghetti gone rogue.

Overall, “The Kitchen” serves up a tasty dish of dystopian drama with a side of heart. So, grab your popcorn and settle in – it's streaming on Netflix now.