After how many films on the same subject can you say that a new subgenre has emerged? After 8 Mile, Patti Cake$, Bodied and now VS. I think it’s safe to say it’s that time. Within the “coming of age” genre a new subgenre has emerged in which white rappers have to prove themselves through rap battles, while they struggle with their relationships with others and become very personal during those battles. How VS. distinguishes itself from other films is the fact that it is not set in America, but in the UK. To what extent does this film stand out?
Adam (Connor Swindells) was placed out of home at a young age and has been in various foster homes. His social worker does the best he can, but when Adam gets into trouble again he provides a temporary place in a coastal town. He meets Makayla (Fola Evans-Akingbola), who organizes rap battles. Adam decides to come and watch and after the battle has an argument with the former boyfriend of Makayla. Because of his way with words, he is asked if he wants to participate in the next battle and he quickly manages to make a name for himself. Outside the battle circuit, however, he has a difficult time. His mother, whom he has not seen since he was a child, also lives in the same village and that leads to emotionally difficult moments. However, the friendships he has built up are also fragile and the battles could damage those.
Vs. follows the same pattern as other films in the genre, with the setting ensuring that the music is slightly different (more grime) and the climax is also different from what I expected. The battles themselves are razor-sharp in terms of lyrics, but director Ed Lilly does not succeed in portraying them in a way that makes it feel exciting. The sound is not mixed well for that and you do not feel the enthusiasm of the audience. Yet this is a genre film that, thanks to strong acting work by Swindells and Evans-Akingbola (who form the heart of the film) manages pull in the viewer and is therefore certainly not a punishment for fans of this type of film to watch.
[score7]