We often talk about some filmmakers who are their own subgenres. Wes Anderson, for example, doesn’t make comedies or dramas. He makes Wes Anderson films. Honestly, there is no better example of this than Tyler Perry. However, the thing that separates Perry from his filmmaking brethren is the fact that he basically works completely outside of the studio system, and he just makes whatever the hell he wants. Like right now, he’s prepping the release of an erotic thriller, “Mea Culpa.” And it’s definitely a Tyler Perry movie.
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As seen in the trailer for “Mea Culpa,” the film follows the story of a female criminal defense attorney who takes on a controversial client accused of murder. And if the case itself wasn’t messy enough, the attorney gets far too close to her client, blurring the lines of lawyer and lover. Tyler Perry hasn’t really made a film like this before, but when you watch the trailer, there’s no denying his fingerprints are all over it.
The cast includes Kelly Rowland, Trevante Rhodes, Nick Sagar, Sean Sagar, RonReaco Lee, and Shannon Thornton. As mentioned, the film is written and directed by Tyler Perry. As mentioned, the filmmaker really does his own thing, especially since joining the Netflix fold. In 2022, he released two films—another ‘Madea’ comedy and a romantic drama, “A Jazzman’s Blues”—and this year he’s got “Mea Culpa” and a historical drama, “Six Triple Eight.” The man is prolific, to say the least.
“Mea Culpa” debuts on Netflix on February 23. You can watch the trailer below.
Here’s the synopsis:
When criminal defense attorney Mea Harper (Kelly Rowland) takes on the murder case of artist Zyair Malloy (Trevante Rhodes), the truth isn’t as obvious as it seems. While she tries to determine the innocence or guilt of her cagy-yet-seductive client, it is uncovered that everyone is guilty of something. Tyler Perry’s Mea Culpa explores what happens when burning desire takes hold and things get hot… and dangerous.