The Inspection provides viewers with a harrowing story about a man battling his family and a governmental system just to be heard and accepted.
Having been rejected by his mother for his sexuality, Ellis French (Jeremy Pope) seeks to build a life for himself in the US Marines. Unfortunately for him, he discovers that his peers and supervisors aren’t really that supportive of his true self either. However, as he goes through rigorous military basic training, he soon finds an inner strength and resilience that propels him forward on a moving journey of self-exploration, helping him to realize he doesn’t have to change to be loved.
Here's everything we know about The Inspection.
How to watch The Inspection
The Inspection is currently available for purchase on demand in the US. The film debuted in UK theaters on Friday, February 17.
The Inspection plot
A24, the studio behind The Inspection describes the film’s synopsis as the following:
"In Elegance Bratton’s deeply moving film inspired by his own story, a young, gay Black man, rejected by his mother and with few options for his future, decides to join the Marines, doing whatever it takes to succeed in a system that would cast him aside. But even as he battles deep-seated prejudice and the grueling routines of basic training, he finds unexpected camaraderie, strength and support in this new community, giving him a hard-earned sense of belonging that will shape his identity and forever change his life."
The Inspection reviews — what the critics are saying
The Inspection reviews are pouring in and as of November 18, the film has a Rotten Tomato score of 76%. Below are just some of the glowing reviews.
Peter Debruge, Variety: "This deeply personal narrative debut is one gay Black man’s way of showing how he not only survived [his] experience, but was strengthened by it."
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter: "Marks an accomplished narrative feature debut for writer-director Elegance Bratton, who draws on his own story to create one of the most stirring portraits of queer Black masculinity since Moonlight."
Justin Chang, The Los Angeles Times: "For all the intense physicality of his performance, Pope does much of his acting with his eyes, which can signal fear and anxiety one moment and radiate a defiant seductiveness the next."
A.O. Scott, The New York Times: "The metamorphosis that Bratton explores, and that Pope embodies — the way Ellis both changes and remains ever faithful to himself — is subtle, bittersweet and beautiful."
The film is also receiving fanfare on social media from those who were able to view it at the Toronto International Film Festival. Take a look.
Just watched A24’s #TheInspection, written & directed by Elegance Bratton & based on his experience as a gay man who joins the Marines seeking purpose after life & his mother reject him. A very moving & engrossing drama featuring a tremendous performance from Jeremy Pope. #TIFF22 pic.twitter.com/HA1jRbGu3ISeptember 9, 2022
Gabrielle Union. Jeremy Pope. Raul Castillo. Bringing their A game to #TheInspection. A moving drama that touches all the right chords. Loved it....and the world will as well. Elegance Bratton...an artist is born before us. #TIFF22 pic.twitter.com/8z6sZxXlrLSeptember 9, 2022
The Inspection awards and nominations
The Inspection has been garnering some awards and nominations, here's a roundup of some of its biggest ones:
Golden Globes
- Best Actor: Drama — Jeremy Pope (nominee)
Film Independent Spirit Awards
- Best Lead Performance — Jeremy Pope (nominee)
- Best Supporting Performance — Gabrielle Union (nominee)
- Best First Feature — Elegance Bratton (nominee)
Gotham Awards
- Outstanding Supporting Performance — Gabrielle Union (nominee)
- Outstanding Supporting Performance — Raul Castillo (nominee)
- Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award — Elegance Bratton (nominee)
National Board of Review
- Top 10 Independent Films
The Inspection cast
Starring as Ellis French, the man determined not to be broken by a system or his mother, is Jeremy Pope. Many audiences became familiar with Pope for his Emmy-nominated work in Hollywood playing Archie Coleman. He’s since gone on to star in One Night in Miami as Jackie Wilson and Christopher in Pose.
Joining Pope on screen playing his harsh and critical mom Inez French is Gabrielle Union. It’s quite interesting that Union is starring as a parent that doesn’t approve of her child’s sexuality, because in real life she is a staunch advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and has often celebrated her stepdaughter Zaya Wade. The longtime actress has been featured as Isis in Bring It On, as Sydney Burnett in L.A.’s Finest, as Mary Jane Paul in Being Mary Jane and recently as Zoey Baker in the Cheaper By the Dozen remake.
Rounding out the rest of the main cast are Raúl Castillo (Hustle), McCaul Lombardi (Port Authority), Aaron Dominguez (Only Murders in the Building), Eman Esfandi (King Richard), Aubrey Joseph (Cloak & Dagger), Andrew Kai (FBI: Most Wanted) and Bokeem Woodbine (Halo).
The Inspection trailer and promos
On October 12, A24 released a promo video with commentary from star Gabrielle Union. Check out her take on the film.
Watching the trailer will make most people immediately rally behind the character Ellis and root for him to succeed.
The Inspection director
Elegance Bratton did not only serve as the director for The Inspection, but he also penned the script. His previous directorial work includes Disney’s Growing Up and the documentary Pier Kids.
The Inspection runtime
The Inspection has a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes.
The Inspection rating
The Inspection has an R rating in the US.
