Reflecting on 'The United States vs. Billie Holiday'
Lee Daniels’s Billie Holiday biopic The United States vs. Billie Holiday was released on February 26th, 2021, and my immediate reaction to it was one of discomfort.

Tetsuro lives a quiet and steady life, with cycling as his only passion. But after dreaming of a translucent jellyfish, his world begins to shift in unsettling ways. What starts as small disruptions soon escalates—intimacy falters, and his beloved bicycle is stolen by a mysterious cross-dressed man. As he chases after the thief, Tetsuro encounters a series of enigmatic figures, drawing him deeper into a world where reality and illusion blur beyond recognition.
Lee Daniels’s Billie Holiday biopic The United States vs. Billie Holiday was released on February 26th, 2021, and my immediate reaction to it was one of discomfort.
I hate the idea that animation’s for kids; just because it’s animated doesn’t mean that it’s some silly cartoon and shouldn’t be taken seriously.
Emily Henry’s adaptation reaches romance movie standards, but not romance reader standards.
GOAT (2026) opens to the chanting of a crowd: "Roots run deep!" The rest of the film goes on to echo that sentiment, offering gorgeous animation and a heartfelt story along the way.
The roaring emotional ride that was the season four finale sets June on a new path: more of a Survivor's Journey.
I hadn’t heard of it either until recently—and yet, it’s one of the highest grossing movies of all time.