Yes, God, Yes | SXSW 2019 Film Review

From which the short was adapted, Yes, God, Yes (2019 SXSW Special Jury Award Winner for Ensemble Acting in a Narrative Feature) is a film that hilariously opens the conversation and removes barriers from female sexuality and religious ideals. Knowing part of the script is director Karen Maine’s real life experience will definitely make your jaw drop.

A young, teenage girl attending a Catholic school in the early 2000’s, Alice (Natalia Dyer, Stranger Things) must face the daily angst that a high school ushers in when surrounded by petulant girls. Confronted by false rumors and confused by her sexual thoughts, she silently comes to grips with the complexity of life as a teenager in a society – and religion – that forces her to limit appreciation for herself.

Alice finds herself in a comical scenario when her AOL session turns into a sex chat and she begins to explore her body, even though everyone around her (including Catholic teachers) are telling her it’s sinful to do so. After her best friend takes note of the popularity of a Christian retreat, the two set off. What ensues is a hilarious combination of societal and religious commentary, topped with sexual liberation!

Natalia Dyer embodies the role of Alice and displays a character with a shy and reserved nature, utilizing facial expressions to indicate her lack of trepidation. Her character is one that so many can identify with because she doesn’t want to follow the lead, but is afraid of stepping out and creating confrontation. Ultimately, Alice must decide whether following the confines that religion and her peers have set for her is best, or if there is value in defying the rules set in place to break free of her shell. The supporting cast does a nice job of allowing Dyer to flourish by sandwiching the sanity of Alice with the bread of Christ. Their happy and restrictive nature without question is what leads to Alice’s exploration and inquisition.

A wonderful compilation of casting and notable performances from Alisha Boe (13 Reasons Why), who enacts the role of Nina, a fellow camp leader with the utmost joy – until she barrels into her past and emotions, and Timothy Simons, who plays Father Murphy with surprising accuracy. Yes, God, Yes receives a resounding ‘yes’ on the casting choices. Maine also makes good use of screen time by showing moments that further the character’s arcs or the story so that each scene has depth and value to it. Not to mention the insane soundtrack and clever use of dialogue in the film.

I can’t possibly illustrate how crucial this film is for girls to see and learn to accept their body, rather than being shamed for looking at, touching, or showing it off. This is not only entertaining, it’s important. Impeccable timing, as its premiere was on International Women’s Day.

What, on the surface, is an enjoyable coming-of-age comedy, is delightfully paired with the subtle commentary on what it’s like to grow up as a woman, how limited acknowledging your own sexuality as a female is, and how damning (and hypocritical) those limitations can become. Yes, God, Yes opens up the discussion of female masturbation with humor, which allows the audience to delicately take in just how absurd it is that body exploration for a girl or woman is politically incorrect.