This frequently hilarious but also genuinely insightful satirical indie comedy takes on the over-prevalence of stereotypes about Black Americans in American culture, particularly in books. The film is about a writer and academic in Boston (played by Jeffrey Wright) who, believing that his books are too complex and cerebral for mass audiences, writes a book under a pen name filled with the stereotypes he loathes as a joke to try to gain public interest. Despite addressing serious topics including issues of racism and identity within the media, the film's tone is comedic, and the film is often genuinely funny in a laugh-out-loud way. The laughs are genuine and also aim to create conversation about the film's message, particularly through the use of satirical and ironic humor throughout.

Jeffrey Wright's performance as the protagonist is very strong. He is thoughtful and empathetic, and ends up showing more of an emotional range than viewers might initially expect due to some sub-plots involving his relationships with his mother, brother, and sister. However, the way that these domestic sub-plots are integrated into the broader story and contrast with the more humorous moments can sometimes can feel a bit uneven. Because it focuses more on such sub-plots than the other parts of the movie, the second act is a bit less compelling than the first and third acts, respectively; and some viewers might argue that it drags a bit during that point in the film. Yet when attention is paid to the humor on display and how it contrasts with stereotypical media representations, the film is biting and intelligently hilarious. The conflicts on display between the protagonist's disdain for the negative stereotypes he is trafficking in under his new book and the ability of the media and public to resonate or overexpose those stereotypes is also profound and interesting, creating dramatic tension and actually making the humor even funnier at times. Since the juxtaposition between the family-related drama and the other components of the film doesn't hit the mark quite as well as it should, "American Fiction" isn't without its flaws, but this is still a great indie comedy that pulls off a rare feat of making viewers laugh and think both simultaneously and in nearly equal measure. Recommended. 8/10.