Review: Not An Artist

31 March, 2025 William Eguizabal 0 Comments 2 categories

Title: Not An Artist
MPA Rating: Not Rated
Director: Alexi Pappas, Jeremy Teicher
Starring: Alexi Pappas, Haley Joel Osment, Matt Walsh
Runtime: 1 hr 37 mins

What It Is: A young woman (Pappas) attends an artist retreat hosted by the enigmatic and charismatic leader known as “The Abbott” (The RZA). Alongside a group of fellow artists and creatives, she strives to produce her best work. However, there’s a catch—if they fail to create something during the retreat or leave before its conclusion, they must sign away their right to ever present themselves as artists again, facing legal consequences if they break the agreement. Meanwhile, the young woman’s father (Walsh) is grappling with his own set of challenges.

What We Think: Alexi Pappas steps behind the lens for the second time, following her 2016 debut with Tracktown—a film we were quite fond of, despite some pacing issues. Fortunately, those issues aren’t present here. The pacing is tight, the script is strong, and Pappas’ sophomore effort shines in many ways. The only real weak link is The RZA’s performance. Love the guy—Wu-Tang forever!—but his acting doesn’t quite measure up. On the other hand, Matt Walsh is the MVP of the film, delivering what might be its best and most compelling character. I had a blast with this. It’s smartly funny, well-crafted, and presents a thoughtful thesis on art, the artist, and whether simply calling oneself something is enough without the ability to back it up.

Our Grade: B+, I’m not sure when this will be available, but whenever it is, I highly recommend checking it out. I really admire what Alexi Pappas does—she’s such a refreshing talent as a writer, director, and even as an actress. While I think she was better in Tracktown, her role here has a lot more depth. I can’t wait for more people to see this once it’s released.