Jezebels, race kink and Cardi B: in One Battle After Another, Black women are still stereotypes

I t’s hard to watch One Battle After Another in the days following the death of fugitive Black liberation activist, Assata Shakur , and not have some questions about how white male film-makers depict revolutionary Black women on screen. Many words have already been written about the good in Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film – some say “masterpiece” – including a five-star review in the Guardian . The electrifying pace of the action; that instant-classic car chase sequence and Benicio del Toro’s heroically chill Sensei Sergio, have all been justly praised. So let’s take this as read.

But if a film is worth seeing, then it’s worth taking seriously and in this case that involves asking: dear, revered PTA, what is up with you and Black women? We know Anderson is careful and deliberate i