NEW: Movie Review!

A New KIZA Column

By Shaundale Rénā

Movie Title: Fatal Promises

Release Date: July 27, 2026

Genre: Crime Drama

Director: Nakeva Bryant 

Producer: Tabitha Hoof

Writer(s): Nakeva Bryant & Tabitha Hoof

Production Company: Sckyhigh Films & Tab-It Productions

Running Time: 90 minutes

Quick Summary: Fatal Promises delivers suspense, comedy and romance …

This film follows Renae Morgan as she navigates the complexity of a bipolar diagnosis while confronting the lived trauma she experienced in childhood and past relationships. Through compelling storytelling and memorable performances, the movie explores themes of mental health and emotional unrest.

What Worked Well

Like many women, Renae swears off love after a series of bad relationships. Unlike a wide swath of her love-lost sisters, she manages to focus on herself and to rebuild her life through therapy and self-awareness. That is, until she becomes entangled with Kingston Coleman—a high-powered attorney at the top of his legal game—who sneaks in under the pretense of focused attention, contrived affection and timely gifts. Continually warned about Kingston’s past by her best friend who attended college with him, Renae ignores reason and becomes “entangled in Kingston’s web of lies and betrayal, setting her on a destructive path towards obsession, revenge, and ultimately deadly consequences,” as described by the production company.

Characters & Performances

This movie was surprisingly engaging, as you don’t know from the title “who the ‘fatality’ is,” as one attendee noted. Played by Koffee Hill, Renae’s character was believably consistent and shed serious light on the level of mental and emotional restraint one must practice when the inability to do so surfaces. 

And, speaking about inabilities surfacing … Joseph Mason played a phenomenal role, portraying the charming yet powerful attorney who pulls Renae Morgan back into love, setting off a chain of events he quickly regrets. He is soon asking himself, “What did I get myself into?” The plot naturally flowed as circumstances, brought on by the shenanigans of several supporting characters, played out onscreen—particularly, the arrival of Eric (played by Cortez Holmes).

Eric enters the scene as a long-time friend of Renae. In hindsight, I realize more about the layers of his character, starting with noticing that he often wore black due to his profession. The level of plot-twistedness he brought was mind-blowing. From scene to scene, Eric is the character you least expect to land the way he does. To me, he is the standout character, only because you simply don’t see him coming, but when he shows up … he shows up. 

This is so not your typical “boy meets girl” story. Each of these characters was remarkably believable, including those with less screentime. At some point, you forget you’re watching a movie because any of these characters could be someone you know. The acting was appropriate, not overly done. The audience’s reaction and engagement were spot-on, myself included. From gasps of shock and disbelief to outbursts of, “What the world?!” and “Oh my!” every attendee was onboard. And I had the privilege, unbeknownst to me, of sitting next to Nakeva Bryant, Executive Producer. 

Direction & Production

Nakeva Bryant and Tabitha Hoof are the duo behind the business of SchyHigh Films and Tab-It Productions. Together they have amassed six (6) creations. Behind the camera was Tame Rabbit Media’s Paul Michael O’Connor, Director of Photography, and Tim Bubel, supporting in multiple roles. Route-50 Casting brought together the fabulous team of artistry and on-screen representation by way of actors and actresses.

Emotional Impact

The emotional impact of Fatal Promises brings to light the jarring reality many deal with behind closed doors. When old wounds get scratched, on the surface one can never know the depth they missed in the details of that scar. This movie should cause each of us to think about our choices and their implications before engaging at every level of “love.” Renae stayed safe, tucked away in her own world, until Kingston kicked the door to her heart wide open with intentional chaos. Let the weight of that recognition settle: he was intentional. And she was intense for all intended purposes thereafter, once the full spectrum of the betrayal came into view. Knowing this, the reader/writer in me says they got what they deserved. Ha! But the rest of those unsuspecting people? My God.

This is a well-written movie, on purpose. The concentration it takes to pull this off was a full-on team effort and production in itself. Their collective contributions are noteworthy. It is suspenseful, intriguing and very thought-provoking.

Areas for Improvement

If I had any constructive feedback, it would be to bring us into Kingston’s world outside of his relationships. We got to see Renae in her element at the shop, so it would have been nice to see Kingston in action in court or, at the very least, on his way to or from the courthouse—maybe entering the building, standing outside of the building, or across the street from the building with the courthouse in the background. 

Themes & Messages

Because this film delves into mental health and its awareness, it is crucial to address the importance of checking on individuals in our communities. Renae had a support circle; however, she was overcome by rage and failed to see their attempts to intervene as care and concern. Once the curtain was pulled back, and Kingston’s real intentions were exposed, there was no comforting her. It was move or be moved.

Other themes identified include family, identity and a dark kind of justice. Having a circle of sisters or a band of brothers is important; however, honesty is a choice. On the surface, two people knew of Renae’s bipolar diagnoses. Neither of them had the kind of personal access to her they needed. And those who did have access appeared to not have the influence or information necessary. So, the question becomes when do you talk openly about mental health in a relationship?

My Take:

Fatal Promises effectively communicates the need to ask the important questions early on and to watch for the answers instead of listening to them by showing the relevance of Kingston needing to know Renae’s backstory. It never came up. But, then again, neither did his baby mamas! LOL! However, he does not get a pass for being emotionally irresponsible, which triggered those experiences and earned him each outcome.

Favorite Scene

Honestly, I cannot think of just one favorite scene. There is one where the flashbacks come together and viewers are like, “Oh, my God!” Then there is the scene where the blindfolds literally come off and what you see in the corner is the last thing you expect to see in the corner, lol! 

One of the strongest scenes occurs when Renae visits the home of an unsuspecting character and the revelation of that character’s relationship with the other players in the game is revealed because it demonstrates how wrong our thinking about a thing can be. Connecting the dots at that moment had my mouth wide open.

Memorable Quotes

While there are a couple of quotes I did love in the moment, I had no idea this would become a passion project and didn’t remember them. Sonya, played by Tameca Jones, said something to Kingston in his office that resonated that I wish I’d held onto.

Audience Recommendation

This movie is ideal for: 

✅ Viewers who enjoy emotional thrillers, psychological thrillers, crime drama and a little bit of suspense with a side of romance and comedic relief.

✅ Families / Adults / Teens (as applicable)

⚠️  Not recommended for: Viewers sensitive to domestic abuse, mental abuse, emotional abuse, psychological abuse or gun violence. Disclaimer: trauma triggers.

Final Verdict

Overall, Fatal Promises delivers a deeply meaningful and impactful narrative of what happens when a woman chooses lies and deception over the powerful peacefulness she already owns and knows. It took one person, one man, to lure Renae away from what she already knew to be true: she was maintaining herself and managing her life well before he came along.

While the story may struggle with showing us more about who Kingston is outside of being a ladies’ man, particularly during his run for District Attorney, its strengths lie in how fast he appears to “wake up” when Renae “snaps,” making it a worthwhile watch. I would recommend the film to audiences looking for a deeper or more meaningful look at bipolar disorder and those who just enjoy a good thriller.

Final Rating

I would watch this movie again and will do so once it airs on streaming platforms July 27, 2026. 

Reviewer’s Note 

There are things I am now connecting in hindsight that I want to see play out again. So, I am excited to rewatch this movie, and I’m patiently waiting for Part 2.

Behind the Lights, Camera & Action: 

Hear it straight from the horses’ mouth! For a behind-the-lens overview from the Executive Director and Producer of Fatal Promises, click the link to understand the vision behind the idea of the movie from Nakeva Bryant and Tabitha Hoof.

SCKYHIGH FILMS / TAB-IT PRODUCTIONS Nakeva Bryant (Writer, Director, Executive Producer) & Tabitha Hoof (Producer, Co- Writer) IN ASSOCIATION WITH TAME RABBIT Paul Michael O'Connor, DP & Tim Bubel, Editor.