Set It: Off (1996)

Jada Pinkett Smith was originally interested in playing Cleo, but producers felt she was the perfect fit for Stony.

The 1996 classic Set It Off is a groundbreaking heist drama directed by F. Gary Gray that redefined the genre through its raw depiction of systemic injustice, survival, and fierce female friendship. Starring Jada Pinkett, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise (in her film debut), it follows four friends in Los Angeles who turn to bank robbery to escape the weight of personal and economic tragedies. Set It Off (1996)

Queen Latifah’s role as Cleo was her first leading role in a feature film. Jada Pinkett Smith was originally interested in playing

If we’re talking about movies that "hit different," Set It Off is at the top of the list. It’s more than just a heist movie; it’s a powerful, gritty story about what happens when people are pushed to their absolute limits by a system that refuses to let them win. Starring Jada Pinkett, Queen Latifah, Vivica A

A time capsule of 90s R&B and Hip-Hop that perfectly mirrored the film's emotional intensity.

The chemistry between Stony (Jada Pinkett), Cleo (Queen Latifah), Frankie (Vivica A. Fox), and T.T. (Kimberly Elise) is unmatched. They brought a level of humanity and "real-life rage" to their roles that remains iconic.

Who could forget Cleo’s final stand? It stands as one of the most unforgettable displays of defiance and loyalty in 90s cinema.