Hey there! Recently watched the new movie They Cloned Tyrone on Netflix and still thinking about this fascinating sci-fi flick. You‘re probably curious like I was about where They Cloned Tyrone takes place and all the cool behind-the-scenes details. Well, you‘ve come to the right place!
In this in-depth guide, we‘ll explore where They Cloned Tyrone was filmed, who directed it, the plot and cast, themes, that crazy ending, and more context to appreciate this captivating movie. Let‘s dive in!
Filming Locations – The Vibrant City of Atlanta
They Cloned Tyrone was primarily filmed on location in Atlanta, Georgia in 2021 before releasing on Netflix in July 2023.
Although the film is actually set in the fictional neighborhood called The Glen, using real parts of Atlanta as stand-ins brought an authentic vibe. Specific locations included:
Candler Park – This quaint residential area provided shots of houses to portray Slick Charles and Yo-Yo‘s neighborhood.
Pullman Yard – The old railyard served as an impactful setting for key scenes, including the dramatic climax.
BeltLine – Atlanta‘s popular walking trail offered backdrops of the city‘s greenery to depict The Glen‘s woods.
Downtown Atlanta – Brief shots captured Atlanta‘s downtown cityscape to embellish establishing shots.
Fun fact: The cast and crew even stayed in a downtown Atlanta hotel during the 3-month production!
The Significance of The Glen
The Glen is an integral fictional place – although not identified specifically, it‘s described as being near Atlanta in the wooded South.
As director Juel Taylor stated, The Glen represented a "quirky suburban neighborhood with secrets." This mysterious, almost sinister vibe amplified the themes.
So even though it was shot in Atlanta, imagining this fictional Southern locale is key to immersing in the unsettling mood. Pretty cool how a movie set in a "real" place can feel surreal!
Meet the Director and Producers
Obviously, a movie‘s crew behind the scenes shapes the final product we watch at home. Let‘s learn about who created the magic!
Director – Juel Taylor
They Cloned Tyrone marks rising director Juel Taylor‘s feature film debut – and he knocked it out of the park!
Some key facts about Taylor:
- Previously directed TV shows like Raising Dion, The Chi, and Insecure
- Known for drawing strong performances out of actors
- Developed They Cloned Tyrone for 5 years before filming
- Passionate about telling stories that explore deeper themes
With his background directing episodic TV dramas, Taylor‘s experience was the perfect fit to helm this ambition sci-fi movie. His passion shines through!
Producers – Charles D. King, Poppy Hanks & Macro
Charles D. King, Poppy Hanks, and their company Macro were the main production force behind They Cloned Tyrone:
- Macro financed and produced the movie after acquiring Taylor‘s original script
- King and Macro focus on telling diverse, thought-provoking stories
- Previously produced acclaimed films like Mudbound, Sorry to Bother You, Fences
- Hanks heads production at Macro and helped guide the project
With their track record and values, King, Hanks, and Macro gave Taylor the amazing support to share his vision on a big stage.
Meet the Talented Cast
One huge factor in They Cloned Tyrone‘s success is the phenomenal cast. Let‘s overview the main players and their roles:
Jamie Foxx as Fontaine
In an eccentric, showstopping turn as the mystery-solving neighbor Fontaine, Jamie Foxx is arguable the film‘s MVP.
- Oscar-winner Foxx drew praise for his funny, quirky energy
- Director Taylor created the role specifically for Foxx
- Their previous collaboration on Insecure built trust between them
Foxx‘s lively presence gives the film so much heart. Fontaine is truly an all-timer character for Foxx!
John Boyega as Slick Charles
As Slick Charles, one of the friends seeking the truth about Tyrone‘s death, John Boyega projects raw emotion through a nuanced performance.
Fun facts about Boyega:
- Got his big break in the sci-fi classic Attack the Block
- Internationally known for playing Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy
- Reunited with director Juel Taylor after working together on Attack the Block
Boyega‘s natural gravitas perfectly fits the brooding Slick Charles.
Teyonah Parris as Yo-Yo
Teyonah Parris is stellar as Yo-Yo, Tyrone‘s close friend who teams up with Slick Charles when Tyrone dies mysteriously.
- Parris made her mark playing vital roles in Mad Men and Empire previously
- Originally auditioned for a different part before Taylor cast her as Yo-Yo
- Brought both toughness and vulnerability to the complex character
Parris is absolutely convincing as the fiery, loyal Yo-Yo.
The cast had an infectious chemistry that elevated each scene. Their collective talent brings the themes to life powerfully.
Recapping They Cloned Tyrone‘s Gripping Plot
Let‘s briefly recap the movie‘s engrossing storyline and key events:
In The Glen, auto mechanic Tyrone dies abruptly, leaving friends Slick Charles and Yo-Yo shocked.
They become suspicious of foul play and start an investigation.
Eccentric neighbor Fontaine gets involved, intrigued by the mystery.
Visiting Tyrone‘s grandmother reveals he was overly secretive before his death.
Eventually uncover that Tyrone had been participating in cloning experiments by a doctor and had a duplicate living in hiding.
Tensions boil over as Slick Charles and Yo-Yo process the truth about their friend while being hunted.
Escalates to an explosive confrontation at the cloning facility where the full scope of the unethical experiment is laid bare.
The friends are tested but ultimately maintain their bond as the truth about Tyrone‘s clone emerges.
This quick plot summary shows how the engrossing story unfolds turn by turn. Strapping in for the wild ride is part of the fun!
Analyzing Key Themes – Cloning, Identity, Technology, and More
At its core, They Cloned Tyrone explores several significant themes that give the sci-fi story added depth. Let‘s analyze some of the main thought-provoking ideas.
Cloning‘s Moral Implications
Obviously cloning drives the narrative, and the film probes cloning‘s complex moral and ethical implications from several angles.
The unconsented experimentation on Tyrone raises challenging questions about the potential misuse of such technology. It blurs the lines of what‘s acceptable in the name of scientific progress.
Individuality and Personhood
Relatedly, Tyrone‘s unauthorized cloning examined concepts of identity, individuality, and personhood.
If someone can be copied, what defines uniqueness? The storyline pushes us as viewers to contemplate what fundamentally makes up "selfhood."
Friendship Tested
The relationships between Tyrone, Slick Charles and Yo-Yo are central. Their loyalty and friendship being tested by the revelation parallels cloning‘s tensions around individuality.
Even when everything seems jeopardized, their bonds persevere.
Privilege and Exploitation
Additionally, the exploiting of Tyrone highlights privilege imbalances, as the doctor‘s medical authority makes him feel entitled to experiment on Tyrone without consent.
His privileged position lets him devalue and take advantage of others. This systemic social commentary comes through.
There‘s truly so much to unpack with this film that a single viewing barely scratches the surface!
That Ambiguous Ending Explained (Spoilers!)
The ending is perhaps the part that left me thinking about this movie for days. Here‘s my take on what those final moments mean:
After learning the entire truth at the cloning lab, Slick Charles and Yo-Yo decide to keep Tyrone‘s secret cloning from the public.
The movie suggests they want to preserve the memory of the real Tyrone, rather than exposing this manipulated copy they never consented to.
Letting the secret remain feels true to Tyrone‘s spirit, remembering the friend they knew.
However, Fontaine shockingly agrees to become the next test subject, lured by the doctor‘s promises.
So the ending resolves the cloning mystery but implies the doctor‘s experiments could continue, raising moral questions.
We‘re left to wonder – did they make the right choice? Can this technology ever be used justly? Powerful stuff.
The ending stays with you because it begs these deeper questions about scientific responsibility versus friendship. I‘m still debating what I‘d have done!
By the Numbers – Audiences, Reviews & Awards Buzz
You might wonder – how did general audiences and critics receive They Cloned Tyrone? Let‘s look at some key reception metrics:
Ratings & Reviews
Rotten Tomatoes – 74% Critics Score / 84% Audience Score
IMDB – 6.8/10 average rating
Metacritic – 68/100 critics average score
Viewership Stats
Ranked #6 most watched movie in its 1st week globally on Netflix
Stayed in Netflix‘s Global Top 10 for 3 weeks
Projected viewership of ~55 million households in 1st month
Potential Awards Attention
Jamie Foxx considered likely Golden Globes Best Actor nominee
Director Juel Taylor and film nominated for Gotham Awards
Expected to earn multiple NAACP Image Awards noms
The mostly positive critical and fan reception, strong viewership, and awards buzz prove the movie resonated widely. Exciting to see it garner recognition!
How They Cloned Tyrone Fits the Sci-Fi Genre
Within the sci-fi genre, They Cloned Tyrone has drawn comparisons to some other noteworthy movies exploring thought-provoking themes:
Get Out (2017) – Also rooted in social commentary around exploitation
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) – similarly explores complex themes of memory and identity
Ex Machina (2015) – an indie favorite also asking probing ethical questions revolving around tech
While clearly original, you can see how They Cloned Tyrone fits into the tradition of using science fiction to drive insightful discussions through creative storytelling.
Juel Taylor even mentioned Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) as an inspiration during filming showing his appreciation for sci-fi classics.
Final Take – A Thoughtful Sci-Fi Journey
Well, there you have it – the full scoop on this gripping movie! From where They Cloned Tyrone was filmed in Atlanta to the themes and ending that stuck with me for weeks, this sci-fi thriller gave my brain such a cool, thoughtful journey.
The cast, direction, and underlying social commentary combined to deliver a smart, unique spin on the genre. I‘d highly recommend watching it yourself to see what interesting ideas, emotions, and discussions it stirs up! Sci-fi at its finest.
Let me know if you check out They Cloned Tyrone on Netflix and continue the chat – so many angles to analyze on this one! Thanks for reading this deep dive.
