black unity and empowerment, describing how the film is storytelling led by African creatives showcasing African cultures that also speaks to black people in the diaspora searching for their identity. Jeremy Helligar of Variety wrote that Black Is King "reminds us that Black lives didn't begin in chains" and inspires young black people "to learn about the history of their race and the ways in which it has shaped the world". Writing for Glamour, Candace McDuffie explained how the message of the film is much deeper than a simple retelling of The Lion King, with the film showcasing "the dynamic nature of Blackness" to the world. In a review for NPR, Eric Deggans said that "there's a lot of profundity" in the dialogue of the film, adding that it is clear Beyoncé put a lot of thought into the project and how it could make a significant impact. Sukriti Wahi of Elle Australia praised the inclusion of non-black people of color who have experienced colorism in the film, such as South Asian model Sheerah Ravindren, as well as the showcasing of black fashion designers. Cydney Henderson of USA Today praised how the film highlights African music genres and dance styles and "raw, untapped talent from performers around the world". Characterizing the film as laughable, Armond White of the National Review described Beyoncé as a "curvy fetish object" who is "promoting racial division" in an attempt to ease the "fragile egos" of black people. In a review for Hyperallergic, Jourdain Searles wrote that the film aims to provide representation and "cultural balm" to black people, adding that it feels like the film is tailored more towards black Americans than the wider diaspora. Dominic Patten of Deadline wrote that with Black Is King, "you have a cultural dominance almost unknown nowadays", with the film being "the conformation of its creator and star as the cultural Queen of our time." Writing for Vogue, Hayley Maitland opined that Beyoncé is "shifting the zeitgeist" with Black Is King, noting that the film's release feels especially timely after the resurgence of Black Lives Matter. Matt Donnelly of Variety wrote that "Beyoncé is pushing the boundaries of what many have come to expect from the Disney machine" with Black Is King being "the boldest brand statement ever from Disney" as Disney's most direct engagement with current discussions on racism. Year-end and all-time lists The Chicago Tribune named