They Cloned Tyrone

Despite its title, there’s no duplicate for They Cloned Tyrone, an amusing and provocative experiment in genre alchemy that wears its inspirations proudly while carving a niche all its own.

This subversive combination of sharply observed urban satire and surreal conspiracy thriller is uneven by nature, yet generates some big laughs without sacrificing the potency of its underlying social commentary.

The story centers on Fontaine (John Boyega), a drug dealer who keeps his circle small, focused on making his money and surviving the streets to see another day. After he’s killed in a confrontation, he’s as surprised as anyone to be starting the next day back at square one.

That leads him to collect money from a delinquent pimp (Jamie Foxx) and his protégé (Teyonah Parris), who become sidekicks in Fontaine’s quest for answers, as they uncover a capitalist plot with sinister intentions.

Details are gradually revealed about the extent of their discovery and its troubling motives. Their paranoid speculation is viewed through a lens of systematic oppression and distrust, along with a cycle of socioeconomic inequality.

Fontaine remains uncertain about who he can trust. Accepting his fate would be easy, but fighting back is harder. “Assimilation is better than annihilation” is one piece of advice he’s given while pondering his next move.

On the surface, this clever science-fiction twist on a familiar crime saga playfully pokes fun at stereotypes with a colorful batch of characters, freewheeling attitude, and stylish throwback vibe that extends beyond fashion, hairstyles, and vintage cars.

Foxx’s manic energy enhances his motormouthed role and Parris gives depth and complexity to a woman living on the margins. Meanwhile, Boyega (The Woman King) brings hard-earned sympathy to the cool and calculated Fontaine, providing a window into this alternate reality.

More than just another goofy variation on Groundhog Day, the streetwise screenplay by rookie director Juel Taylor, in conjunction with Tony Rettenmaier (Shooting Stars), remains grounded in its gritty blue-collar setting even as it dives headfirst into parallel universes and outlandish conceits.

The film becomes somewhat muddled while exploring the moral dilemma facing its central trio. However, even if it’s too convoluted in the final act, They Cloned Tyrone is a pulpy mystery caper with a winning mix of science and sass.

Rated R, 122 minutes.