One of those films that's so much more than a movie - The Hate U Give is a life lesson for those that haven't had to learn it yet.

 

Starring Amandla Stenberg as Starr, The Hate U Give is one that may have slipped past your cinema and gone completely under the radar - which I can confidently say is a real shame. It's a hugely relevant response to things we hear about on the news that may have America at its heart, but is a story people are familiar with worldwide.

 

Starr splits her life between her mostly black neighbourhood and her mostly white prep school. But when she witnesses her childhood best friend being shot by a policeman, she finds her entire identity in question.

 

Tackling racial tensions, prejudices that are generations old and assumptions amongst every culture and creed of the community, The Hate U Give is confronting without guilt-tripping. It's a conversation starter while also being a fantastic film and story to watch as well.

 

One discussion point that I found myself pondering on was that of the character Chris, played by K J Apa. While known for the teen dramas and swoony scenes, I found him refreshing in The Hate U Give. With an honest naïveté that can be admired, Chris comes as a surprise for Starr as she decides exactly how and why she should stand up and speak out.

 

Don't let The Hate U Give silently slip by your screen, make it a must-watch AND a must-discuss as soon as you can.