Upamanyu Biswas
Helmed by Shari Carpenter and Keena Ferguson, Lifetime’s ‘Single Black Female’ film franchise centers on Monica Harris, a host of an afternoon show whose life is upended after she befriends Simone Hicks, her new secretary. Unbeknownst to Monica, Simone harbors a deep obsession with her, which borders on the territory of unhealthy and dangerous. Across three movies, titled ‘Single Black Female,’ ‘Single Black Female 2: Simone’s Revenge,’ and ‘Single Black Female 3: The Final Chapter,‘ their clashes become the center of unending drama which is built around the topic of toxic relationships, childhood trauma, and jealousy. Monica must fight to protect her identity as she realizes that her pursuer has disturbing designs to not only stalk her but to “become” her, playing into themes of paranoia that feel authentic and real in every regard.
The Single Black Female Movies Delve into Stranger Danger and Identity Theft
Despite featuring some chilling stories, the ‘Single Black Female’ movies are entirely drawn from the imagination of writers Sa’Rah Jones and Tessa Evelyn Scott. The films mainly revolve around Monica and Simone, half-sisters who get trapped in a cycle of obsession and jealousy, leading to a catalog of murders. While the central aspects of the story are fictional, the main inspiration is drawn from the similarly titled cult movie ‘Single White Female,’ which is based on the 1990 thriller novel ‘ SWF Seeks Same’ by John Lutz. In both films, the protagonists invite a troubled single woman into their lives, only for it to unwind completely through a mix of manipulation, jealousy, coercion, and crime. As such, the narratives carefully examine the suspense and fear of an unknown stranger harboring dark agendas.
Directed by Barbet Schroeder from a script penned by Don Roos, ‘Single White Female’ stars Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh as Allison Jones and Hedra Carlson, two new roommates who become entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse when the latter develops an unhealthy fixation on her host. They share a similar dynamic to Monica and Simone, especially as Hedra grows attached to Allison in a manner that is creepy and skin-crawling. This manifests from feelings of envy and unfulfilled desires, bringing another layer of complexity into the picture. In an interview with MediaVillage, Raven Goodwin, who plays Monica Harris, stated, “The first ‘Single White Female’ was pretty wild. It was really out of control. I feel (this one) has just about the same shock value, but it’s during this time and, you know, with Black girls.”
While the similarities between ‘Single Black Female’ and the 1992 thriller movie are evident, they begin diverging as we move into ‘Single Black Female 2’ and ‘Single Black Female 3.’ In the next parts of the franchise, Monica and Simone’s relationship changes and evolves as the two enter different phases of their lives. Over time, we are even provided a deeper insight into Simone’s actions and the reasons why she became the woman she is today. The richer context and backstory help flesh out the characters further and differentiate them from their original inspiration. The Lifetime films also have an updated take on the mental health aspects, bringing more knowledge about situations surrounding trauma and factors affecting childhood. They add more depth to the story, even if it remains fictional in conception.
Monica Harris is a Fictional Host Targeted By an Obsessed Stalker
Like most elements in ‘Single Black Female,’ Monica Harris is a fictional character crafted by scriptwriters Sa’Rah Jones and Tessa Evelyn Scott. She is the protagonist of the franchise and the main subject of obsession for Simone, the primary antagonist. As the movies are inspired by ‘Single White Female,’ Monica shares a few parallels with the latter’s main character, Allison. Both become the target of a seemingly innocuous but dangerous female individual, who stalks them and tries to mimic their movements in an eerie fashion. Additionally, they are both psychologically manipulated by their obsessive counterparts, turning their lives into a living hell. As such, their characters provide an access point into the real-life paranoia associated with befriending new people in life.
Outside her encounters with Simone, Monica has a vibrant professional life as a popular show host. Her program helps her gain immense traction in the public eye, which differentiates her slightly from Allison. The latter lives a quiet life trying to sell her revolutionary software program with varying degrees of success. Monica’s career is an integral part of her identity, which is put under threat when Simone starts wiggling her way into her life. It elevates the fear even further as she finds her existence slipping away because of Simone’s actions. As the narrative progresses, Monica undergoes several changes from an emotional and growth standpoint. She also suffers a lot because Simone constantly hounds her, influencing her next moves and her journey as a character. Thus, despite her fictional roots, she remains the heartbeat of the franchise.
Read More: Playing With Fire: Is the Lifetime Movie Based on a True Story?
