Divorce in the Black

Divorce in the Black
Release poster
Directed by	Tyler Perry
Written by	Tyler Perry
Produced by	Dianne Ashford Will Areu Angi Bones Meagan Good Tyler Perry
Starring	Meagan Good Cory Hardrict Joseph Lee Anderson Taylor Polidore Shannon Wallace Richard Lawson Debbi Morgan
Cinematography	Michael Watson
Edited by	Storm Evans
Music by	Sherri Chung
Production companies	Amazon MGM Studios Tyler Perry Studios
Distributed by	Amazon Prime Video
Release date	July 11, 2024 (2024-07-11)
Running time	122 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Divorce in the Black (marketed as Tyler Perry's Divorce in the Black) is a 2024 American thriller-drama film directed by Tyler Perry and released on Amazon Prime Video. It stars Meagan Good as Ava, a young bank professional whose seemingly perfect marriage unravels when her husband abruptly leaves without explanation.

The film is a part of Tyler Perry's multi-picture deal with Amazon Studios, following previous collaborations such as Black, White & Blue. Divorce in the Black blends elements of psychological drama, suspense, and social commentary, focusing on themes of emotional abuse, trauma, and healing within relationships. The narrative centers on Black love and the resilience of Black women, a recurring focus in Perry’s body of work.

Principal photography began in 2023, and the film was officially announced by Amazon MGM Studios in early 2024. It attracted attention online due to its ensemble cast and Tyler Perry’s return to dramatic filmmaking outside of his Madea franchise. The cast also includes Cory Hardrict, Joseph Lee Anderson, Taylor Polidore, Shannon Wallace, Richard Lawson, and Debbi Morgan.

Divorce in the Black was released on July 11, 2024, and received mixed reviews from critics. While Meagan Good’s performance and the film’s emotional themes were noted positively, some reviewers criticized aspects of the plot as overly dramatic. The film prompted discussions on social media about themes such as relationship dynamics, gaslighting, and personal empowerment, particularly within Black communities.

Plot

Ava returns to her hometown with her husband Dallas to attend the funeral of his oldest brother. At the service, tensions rise when Ava’s father, Clarence, a local preacher, offends Dallas’s mother, Linda. After a heated argument, Linda orders her remaining sons to take the body from the church and bring it home. Ava stays behind to speak with her parents and her friend Rona, discussing her troubled relationship with Dallas.

Later, Ava goes to the Bertran family home to convince Dallas to return to Atlanta with her. In his old truck, Dallas accuses her of trying to change him and his family and tells her to leave. She falls asleep in her car waiting for him, but Linda wakes her and says Dallas is gone. Ava finds Dallas and his brothers drinking at a bar and pleads with him to leave. The brothers provoke a fight with Benji, a man Ava once nearly hooked up with as a teen. After a scuffle, Ava retrieves the truck keys and she and Dallas return to her parents' home. That night, Dallas drunkenly confesses that his mother made him kill his abusive father.

The next day, Rona asks why Ava stays with Dallas despite his behavior. Ava says she doesn’t want to give up on him. That night, Dallas leaves Ava for taking too long to get ready for dinner with friends. At the restaurant, he publicly announces he wants a divorce. Rona comforts Ava and gives her a list of the terrible things Dallas has done during their marriage. Ava is reluctant to read it but ends up at her parents' house in the middle of the night.

In the morning, Ava tells her parents she and Dallas are divorcing. Her mother, Gene, finds the list and comforts Ava, expressing regret for not being there more. They decide not to tell Clarence, fearing his reaction. Over the next few days, Ava begins to regain a sense of peace. At a local carnival, she runs into Benji and they reflect on their past. Though Ava suggests being intimate, Benji says they should wait until she’s emotionally ready.

Back at work, Ava tells Rona she’s feeling better. Dallas shows up, having been misled by his brothers into believing Ava had an affair with Benji. He demands she attend the divorce meeting. While Rona urges Ava to take Dallas for everything, Ava wants a clean break. She signs the papers quickly. Rona later throws Ava a divorce party, inviting Benji. That night, Ava and Benji sleep together.

The next morning, Dallas shows up at Ava’s house. He says he’s willing to give her another chance and goes upstairs, only to find Benji in bed. A fight breaks out and Benji knocks Dallas unconscious. Ava drags Dallas to his truck and warns him never to return. Later, Clarence and the sheriff visit Benji, whose animals have been mysteriously dying. Benji suspects Dallas and accidentally reveals he was at Ava’s that morning. Clarence rushes off to confront Dallas.

Meanwhile, Dallas assaults Gene at a grocery store. In response, Clarence changes Ava’s locks, installs cameras, and arms her for protection. When Clarence reaches the Bertran house and demands to see Dallas, the brothers ambush and beat him. Linda eventually tells them to stop, and Clarence is left injured outside. Ava and Benji arrive and call 911. At the hospital, doctors say Clarence is in bad shape, but the sheriff says there’s no legal action they can take without evidence.

Determined to protect her family, Ava calls Dallas and taunts him into returning. She waits for him at home, and when he breaks in, she confronts him. She tells him she tried her best but he pushed her past her breaking point. Dallas attacks her, threatening to kill her. Ava warns him to stop, then shoots him in self-defense. Rona, Jim, and Benji arrive to support her.

Later, Ava, Benji, and Gene help Clarence out of the hospital. Linda, there with her wounded sons, threatens Ava again. Ava tells her it’s over and walks away with her family, finally feeling safe and free.

Cast

• Meagan Good as Ava
• Cory Hardrict as Dallas
• Joseph Lee Anderson as Benji
• Taylor Polidore as Rona
• Shannon Wallace as Jim
• Richard Lawson as Clarence
• Debbi Morgan as Gene
• Jeffrey Creightney as Troy
• Berry Williams Jr. as Morris
• Ursula O. Robinson as Linda
• Joe Komara as Lawyer
• Delandrian Lamar Aikens as Choir Director
• Mark Elliott Brewer as Sheriff

Production

Director Tyler Perry (left) and actress Meagan Good

Divorce in the Black was directed, and produced by Tyler Perry. In June 2023, it was confirmed that the film would be among the first projects under this deal, along with Black, White & Blue. Meagan Good and Cory Hardrict were cast in the leading roles, with Joseph Lee Anderson, Taylor Polidore, Shannon Wallace, Richard Lawson, and Debbi Morgan joining the supporting cast.

Filming

Principal photography began in June 2023, primarily in Atlanta, Georgia, with most of the filming conducted at Tyler Perry Studios. The studio, located at 315 Deshler Street Southwest, served as the central hub for production. Additional scenes were filmed at CODA, which was used to depict the protagonist Ava's workplace and added to the film's modern urban setting. To introduce visual contrast, select portions of the film were shot in Savannah, Georgia, where the coastal environment and historic architecture provided a backdrop that contrasted with the film’s emotionally intense narrative. The cinematography, led by Michael Watson, employed low lighting to enhance the dramatic tone, while production design by Sharon Busse and set decoration by Gretchen Gattuso aimed to visually reflect the emotional states of the characters. Filming was completed on an accelerated schedule, in line with Perry's typical production approach. Cory Hardrict noted that the fast-paced workflow kept the cast focused and contributed to the film’s overall momentum.

Writing

Tyler Perry wrote Divorce in the Black as part of a series of original films developed under his multi-picture agreement with Amazon Studios. The screenplay explores themes frequently present in Perry’s work, including personal trauma, spiritual reflection, and interpersonal conflict. The title references both the dissolution of a marriage and broader themes such as grief, betrayal, and personal empowerment, particularly within the context of African-American experiences.

In interviews and promotional material, Perry noted that the film was intended to explore "the pain of emotional imprisonment and the power of self-liberation," positioning the story as a character-driven drama infused with elements of psychological thriller and domestic suspense. Meagan Good, who portrays the protagonist Ava and also served as a producer, described the script as "raw and intense," highlighting Perry’s decision to delve into darker emotional territory than in many of his previous works.

Faith-based elements are also present in the screenplay, particularly through the character of Ava’s father, a preacher whose views create tension within the family. The dialogue and structure reflect Perry’s established narrative style, which is characterized by directness and heightened emotional stakes.

Music

Sherri Chung (pictured in 2024), composed the incidental Original core

The original score for Divorce in the Black was composed by Sherri Chung, who has collaborated with Tyler Perry on previous projects. Her composition blends orchestral elements, suspenseful motifs, and gospel influences to reflect the film’s emotional intensity and spiritual undertones. In addition to the score, the film features various R&B and soul tracks, both classic and contemporary, that support its themes of heartbreak, resilience, and empowerment. While a full soundtrack album was not released, selected songs were highlighted in promotional materials and credited in the end credits.

Musical numbers

• "My Uncle" – The Flying Burrito Brothers
• "Every Time We Way Goodbye" – Céleigh Chapman
• "Wait" – Kenyon Dixon
• "Look Up" – Joy Oladokun
• "Joy (Unspeakable)" – Voices Of Fire feat. Pharrell Williams
• "Either Way" – Chris Stapleton
• "Young Hearts Run Free" – Candi Staton
• "Lost In Love" – Jaira Noelani
• "Make Me Say It Again Girl" – The Isley Brothers feat. Beyoncé
• "Switch The Knob" – Bleu Levees
• "Switch The Knob" – Ledisi

Release

Divorce in the Black was released exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on July 11, 2024. Prior to the release, Amazon MGM Studios debuted the official trailer on June 20, 2024, highlighting themes such as emotional trauma, empowerment, and betrayal. The film was distributed directly to streaming without a theatrical release, aligning with Amazon’s strategy to expand its lineup of original content for global audiences.

Reception

Audience viewership

Despite receiving mixed critical reviews, Divorce in the Black was among the most viewed titles on Prime Video during its release week. A report by Variety indicated that the film contributed to a significant increase in new Amazon Prime Video subscriptions, surpassing previous records for the platform's original films at the time. According to The Source, the film attracted 498 million minutes watched within its first four days on the platform and ranked third on Nielsen’s Top 10 streaming chart during the week of July 8 to14, 2024.

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 0% of 17 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 3.0/10. Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 30 out of 100, based on 4 critic reviews, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews."

Andrew Lawrence of The Guardian described Divorce in the Black as "Tyler Perry’s dull drama" and "his worst to date," criticizing the film for its lackluster plot and underdeveloped characters. He awarded it one out of five stars. Mary Kassel of Screen Rant gave the film two out of five stars, noting that "with inconsistent pacing and tonal shifts that make the audience question the story's purpose, Divorce in the Black doesn't stand out." Barry Levitt of The Daily Beast gave the film a negative review and wrote, "Good has been great for a long time, and while she can't save Divorce, her performance is a reminder that she's more than worthy of leading roles."

John Serba of Decider advised viewers to skip the film, describing it as a "shabby melodrama" with "clumsy plotting and poor character development," failing to reach the engrossing absurdity of Perry's previous works.

Audience response

Some viewers praised Meagan Good's performance and connected with the film's exploration of toxic relationships. Cory Hardrict, who portrayed Dallas, defended the film amid poor reviews, stating, "The people love the movie and we do it for the people, that's who I do it for. If the culture's rocking with it, it's all love."

External links

• Divorce in the Black at IMDb
• Divorce in the Black at Rotten Tomatoes