When you think about Black love stories, certain titles always rise to the surface, such as Love Jones, Love & Basketball, Brown Sugar, Crooklyn, Do the Right Thing, and She’s Gotta Have It. They’re not just movies, but cultural touchstones that have shaped the way we see love, community, and creative ambition through a distinctly Black lens.
This summer, Love, Brooklyn, joined that list. Directed by Rachael Abigail Holder and starring André Holland, Nicole Beharie, DeWanda Wise, and Roy Wood Jr., the film is a soulful meditation on love, friendship, and change in a rapidly shifting Brooklyn. It’s a love letter to the borough’s legacy, paired together with music from Adi Oasis and Yaya Bey, artwork from local creators like Taha Clayton, and characters who feel lived-in and real.
At the heart of the film is Nicole, played by DeWanda Wise, who is a confident, no-nonsense single mother navigating grief, new love, and the evolving landscape of her neighborhood. From navigating through the multitude of relationships in her life, from her daughter to herself, and Roger, played by Holland, there are constant shifts that she must balance. This story honors the intricacies of Black love, Black ambition, and Black grief in a way that’s not commonly seen onscreen. Throughout each character’s journey, we see the complexities of change and the harsh realities of opening oneself to the unknown.
The Knockturnal caught up with Wise to talk about her character Nicole, what it meant for her to honor Brooklyn on screen, and why she’s committed to telling stories that expand how we see Black women and Black love.
Starting September 5, Love, Brooklyn will roll out in a limited national release.
