A young black man walks around the streets one evening, chatting playfully with a young girl on the phone. He stops at a local corner store and continues his conversation. However, when a car drives past him, he suspects the mysterious driver may be following him. Meanwhile, viewers are introduced to Isabel (played by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) and her partner, Brett (played by Jon Bernthal). Isabel is a well-known book writer, former reporter, and Pulitzer Prize winner. While she has been a public speaker at various times, she admits she's a far greater reporter and writer than a public speaker. After one of her recent public talks, Isabel is approached by a familiar face, Amari (Blair Underwood). Amari believes their unexpected encounter is a sign and asks for Isabel's help as a reporter. He brings up an ongoing case involving the death of a young black man, a case that Isabel is already familiar with. Amari encourages her to investigate the case and provides her with the police recording of the 911 phone call made by the young man’s killer. Isabel had been hoping to settle down and write another book. However, she takes a closer look at the case one sleepless night. As she read about the tragic murder, her curiosity was piqued. During her investigation, Isabel experiences a personal tragedy but is determined to get her life and work back on track as she begins to recover. New ideas and thoughts began to emerge, and she embarks on a new investigation related to caste. Now, Isabel is set to delve into the past, engage with new individuals, and even travel across the globe to pursue truth for her book. "Origin" is a dramatic film directed by Ava DuVernay, who is also one of the film’s writers. DuVernay’s past work includes "Selma" (2014) and "13th" (2016). For those unaware, "Origin" is also an adaptation inspired by the well-known book "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" by Isabel Wilkerson. The film explores various themes, including history, racism, justice, family, love, loss, and power. The film initially led me to believe it would be a murder mystery with Isabel investigating the crime, but it took an unexpected turn after the first few scenes, delving into historical details. Isabel demonstrates her knowledge of history and politics, making the film feel documentary-like at times as she uncovers significant historical discoveries and conducts interviews. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor convincingly portrays Isabel as a reporter and writer, bringing compelling drama and emotion to the character. Flashbacks, including those from Isabel’s personal life, reveal how she met the love of her life and connect various key historical moments to her journey and investigation. Some viewers may find the historical flashbacks complex or burdensome, especially if they are not into history. Overall, if you enjoy drama and history, you should check out "Origin." The film takes viewers on a surprising journey as a woman conducts a significant investigation and makes startling discoveries. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Jon Bernthal deliver wonderful and dynamic performances, and the emotional score adds to the drama, making it captivating on the big screen. The film's pace is slow, and I can't help but feel that it didn't need to be as long as it was, but it's still a great story and very interesting to watch. * This review has been written for Sanity. For more reviews, check out the link here: www.walkdenentertainment.com