Zola (2020)

Zola narrates her story to a fellow stripper. In 2015, she made 148 tweets, which cover the bulk of her story. Aziah "Zola" King (Taylour Paige), a self-assured waitress and part-time stripper in Detroit, meets Stefani (Riley Keough), an outgoing and crass fellow stripper, while serving her at work. Stefani invites Zola to dance with her at a club that night, and the two form a quick friendship.

The next day, Stefani proposes that Zola join her on a road trip to Tampa, Florida, the location of a strip club where Stefani claims the two can make significant money. Zola joins Stefani, her mysterious roommate, Abegunde "X" Olawale (Colman Domingo), and Stefani's sheepish boyfriend, Derrek (Nicholas Braun), on a road trip. Sean (Ari'el Stachel) is Zola's boyfriend and she never tells him about the road-trip with Stefani. Upon arriving in Tampa, Stefani, Zola, and X leave Derrek at a seedy motel while they visit the club where Stefani claims her friends earned over $5, 000 in one night. The two perform at the club, but do not net nearly as much as Stefani insisted they would. After, Zola learns that Stefani and X have posted photos (which Stefani took of Zola, while saying that she is simply taking some selfies) of her and Stefani in a Backpage (online site where you buy and sell sex) advertisement selling a night of sex with them. Zola attempts to leave, but is threatened by X, who reveals himself to be Stefani's pimp. X says he knows where Zola lives and unless she cooperates, she will be in danger. X brings the women to an upscale hotel, where Stefani proceeds to have sex with a male client. Zola again wanted to leave, but Stefani says she is also scared and is only doing this for her kid and doesn't want to be alone. Zola, who does not wish to participate, is incredulous when she learns that X is charging only $150 per client (That is equivalent to about 20 mins on the pole, dancing). Zola edits the Backpage advertisement, changing the rate to $500 to help Stefani earn more money; by the end of the night, Stefani has made over $8, 000. The next morning, X is initially insulted by Zola's intervention, but quickly grows impressed. He throws some cash at Zola, as her share, but refuses to give any cut to Stefani, saying that he supports all her expenses and that's not cheap. Meanwhile, Derrek, left to his own devices, befriends a man named Dion (Jason Mitchell) whom he meets at the motel. When X, Stefani, and Zola return to the motel, X is enraged to discover that Derrek informed Dion about their reason for visiting Tampa. Worried that Dion and his associates will rob them, X forces the group to flee. After arriving at another hotel, X arranges for Stefani to see more clients at various locations, while a reluctant Zola stands by to ensure Stefani's safety. X gives Zola a cut from the earnings but warns her again of consequences if she tries to walk away. When Derrek realizes Stefani is again engaging in prostitution, he argues with her, revealing to Zola that Stefani has manipulated other dancers into unwittingly participating in similar prostitution rackets. Zola is angered and loses all trust in Stefani. Derrek and Stefani's quarreling is interrupted when X bursts in with Baybe (Sophie Hall), his lover and madam, who is armed with a gun. After calming the situation, X gives Zola a gun for the women's protection, and Stefani and Zola are sent out so Stefani can continue to meet with clients. After Stefani engages in a gang bang at a private residence, the two women visit another hotel, where a client has responded to their Backpage ad. Upon opening the hotel room door, Stefani is grabbed by the client and forced into the room. A terrified Zola flees and calls X and Derrek on her phone. The three return to the room and find the men inside are Dion and an accomplice, armed with shotguns, who have posed as clients in order to rob Stefani of her earnings. Dion wants $20K & ownership of Stefani, as it turns out Dion is a pimp himself and is angry that X walked in on his turf. At gunpoint, X offers possession of Zola & $50K, if they let him and Derrek leave with Stefani, who has been beaten unconscious. As Zola is digitally penetrated against her will by Dion, X manages to draw the gun Zola has in her purse, then shoots Dion in the throat. The group flee the hotel, disposing of Dion's guns by throwing them into the Tampa Bay. The group eventually arrives at a large, luxurious home X shares with Baybe. X finally allows Zola to leave and proclaims his possession of Stefani, but Derrek threatens to commit suicide should Stefani remain loyal to X. Derrek immediately throws himself over a balcony, landing on concrete below and injuring his head. Zola, Stefani, and X leave to take Derrek to the hospital. In the car, Stefani proclaims her love for Zola, but is met with cool disgust as an exhausted Zola looks out the window and ignores her.