Passing

In PASSING, Irene (Tessa Thompson) runs into her childhood friend Clare (Ruth Negga) at a restaurant in 1920s New York City. At first, the women don't recognize each other, as they've both changed their appearance to be able to "pass" as White women. Irene, who's passing for the day, learns that Clare has been passing as White for many years. Clare introduces Irene to her White husband (Alexander Skarsgård), who, ignorant to being in the presence of Black women, quickly reveals his racist hatred of Black people. Irene ventures back to her life in Harlem, where she lives with her Black husband, a doctor named Brian (André Holland), their two children, and a housekeeper. Clare writes to Irene, expressing an interest in spending time with her in Harlem, where she feels safe to be her true self. Irene's family and friends are quickly taken by Clare -- her proximity to whiteness makes her deceivingly desirable. And her presence threatens the intentional and protective self-love that Irene has painstakingly nurtured in her world. How long can Clare keep up her lie of being White while leeching off of the culture she has chosen to reject for so long?