Issa Rae might be most known for her leading role on the HBO comedy series Insecure, but she has dabbled in a wide variety of movies and TV shows since then. Fans of Rae's career may also know her from her comedic beginnings on the acclaimed YouTube series, The Misadventures Of Awkward Black Girl.
Since then, Rae has also dabbled a little in the animation space, lending her voice in Bojack Horseman and the Oscar-winning short film Hair Love. With the actress playing Spider-Woman in the upcoming Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (Part One) and her production company, Hoorae, signing a five-year deal with Warner Media, Issa Rae's career offers a lot of promise.
Little (2019) - 5.5
When an authoritarian boss (Regina Hall) unexpectedly turns into a teenager (Marsai Martin), she must find a way to right her wrongs while her assistant (Issa Rae) handles the company in the meantime. The Regina Hall-fronted movie is a delightful comedy that mixes workplace comedy themes with the coming-of-age genre.
Compared to the rest of Issa Rae's screen credits, Little fares lower on the ratings. The movie mostly drew attention for Martin's charismatic performance and Little also made her the youngest executive producer in Hollywood, as she produced the film at merely 14 years of age.
The Lovebirds (2020) - 6.1
The Lovebirds is a Netflix romantic comedy that makes for a light-hearted watch for fans of its leads, Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani. The two star as a couple who question their love for each other on one eventful night. The stakes rise as they must also clear their names from a murder that they witness on the same night.
Even though the movie was supposed to have a theatrical release, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed it to streaming only. The overall premise drew mixed reviews, but Rae and Nanjiani's performances were still praised.
The Photograph (2020) - 6.1
This 2020 movie stars Issa Rae alongside LaKeith Stanfield in one of his best movies. The Photograph reinvents the romantic drama genre while benefiting greatly from the chemistry of its two leads. Stanfield plays a photographer who develops an obsession with a particular photograph of a woman who turns out to be the late mother of Rae's character. As the journalist attempts to find the image's backstory, the two strangers end up falling in love.
The Photograph drew positive responses from critics and audiences alike. As for Rae, the movie proved her acting prowess in a relatively serious role.
Coastal Elites (2020) - 6.2
As the COVID-19 pandemic drove people towards social isolation, a new wave of filmmaking arose that focused on movies shot from home. Coastal Elites is one such example, as the TV movie features five actors talking about their pandemic experiences while being confined to their homes in 2020.
Issa Rae joins the cast, along with Dan Levy, Sarah Paulson, Kaitlyn Dever, and Better Midler. Apart from the actors talking about their changed lives in the post-pandemic world, the HBO original also dabbles in the political happenings of the turbulent year.
A Black Lady Sketch Show (2019 - ) - 7.2
Created by Robin Thede, A Black Lady Sketch Show includes comedy sketches on a wide range of topics, ranging from modern love, professional life, racism, and even sci-fi/horror storylines.
Just like the many great guest stars on Insecure, A Black Lady Sketch Show is filled with star-studded appearances from the likes of Laverne Cox, Angela Bassett, Nicole Byer, and Insecure alumna Yvonne Orji. Issa Rae has herself appeared in multiple roles on the show, even though she mainly serves as executive producer.
Hair Love (2019) - 7.2
As a hair vlogger is admitted to a hospital, her seven-year-old daughter struggles to style her hair. While her father comes to the rescue, the narrative offers more context behind the mother's character.
Hair Love started out as a project on Kickstarter. Upon completion, the animated short film garnered so much acclaim that it received a distribution from Sony Pictures and even went on to win an Oscar. Issa Rae has the only speaking part in the short, as she plays the protagonist's mother.
The Hate U Give (2018) - 7.5
Based on the young-adult novel of the same name, The Hate U Give deals with a 16-year-old high-schooler who witnesses her best friend's death at the hands of a police officer. Traumatized by the incident, she wages her own revolt against the authorities, drawing attention to police brutality and systemic racism.
Issa Rae plays April Ofrah, an activist whom protagonist Starr Carter looks up to. The Hate U Give is an important coming-of-age movie that everyone needs to see for its social relevance.
Insecure (2016 - 2021)- 7.9
Insecure deals with an average 20-something woman called Issa as she navigates her way through her tumultuous romantic and professional life. The sitcom also takes a satirical approach to race relations and stereotypes in its modern LA setting.
As the showrunner and actress playing the main character on HBO's Insecure, Issa Rae became a household name while garnering Golden Globe and Emmy nominations. Apart from displaying Rae's unique brand of raw and raunchy humor, Insecure also proved to be a semi-autobiographical experience for her as she herself is an Inglewood native. The Hollywood Reporter also noted how Rae's show helped draw more attention to the Black-run businesses in the area.
The Mis-Adventures Of Awkward Black Girl (2011) - 8.1
Before Insecure dealt with Issa Dee's everyday misadventures, there was the "awkward black girl" known as J. Starting out as a series of YouTube comedy sketches, Issa Rae garnered a cult following who loved the show's observational satire. Each episode dealt with a particular instance that frustrated the titular protagonist.
This frustration then comes out through voice-over rants or dream sequences. The influence of The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl can be seen in several scenes in Insecure, particularly the ones that find Issa Dee delivering some of her best rap lines in front of a mirror.
Bojack Horseman (2014 - 2020) - 8.7
Often considered as a landmark in adult animation, Bojack Horseman explores issues like alcoholism and depression from the perspective of a washed-out "horseman" actor as he dwells in an over-the-top version of Hollywood. Along with a critically-acclaimed voice cast, the Netflix series' ensemble also boasted several high-profile names for guest appearances.
Issa Rae guest-starred in two episodes as the voice of Dr. Indira Dadyshue. The character served as secondary protagonist Diane Nguyen's therapist, helping her deal with writer's block and her constant fear of rejection.