Tyler Perry’s Divorce in the Black gives us a raw look at how some people endure a lot of pain in their marriages, ignore all the red flags, and go through hell just to stay with their partner. It’s more intense than you might think. Ava, the main character, goes through this exact nightmare with her toxic husband, Dallas. Their relationship eventually ends in a divorce. But the big question is: can Ava really escape him, or will he continue to haunt her even after the divorce? Thankfully, Ava isn’t alone. She’s got a wonderful support system, from her parents to her friends, who stick by her side through thick and thin. This movie not only shows the dark side of toxic relationships but also highlights the importance of having good, supportive people in your life. So, let’s get to know more about the cast and characters who bring this story to life.
Spoilers Ahead
Ava
Ava, played by Meagan Good, I just want to say, I see you, girl! There are always people who keep giving their partners chances time after time because they think they’ll change and that things will get better. But sometimes, there’s just nothing good left. These people are walking red flags, and we choose to ignore these signs, and Ava does that too. Ava’s life turns into a nightmare the moment she marries into the Bertran family after tying the knot with Dallas. She believes Dallas will be different from his shady family, who are involved in smuggling and murder. She thinks he’ll change for the better in the future. She just keeps hoping for a miracle. But what does she get in return? Dallas tells her she doesn’t love him for who he is, that she wants to change him into her ideal image, and that he wants a divorce. Can you believe that?
Ava feels utterly betrayed. She’s the daughter of a church priest who always has faith in God and always believed in the goodness of her husband and the sanctity of marriage. She stood by Dallas even when she couldn’t bear it anymore because she didn’t want to give up halfway. But eventually, she realizes she doesn’t deserve this misery. Before marrying Dallas, she was this bubbly, happy girl, but her life changed for the worse after the wedding. So, Ava decides to choose happiness. With her supportive parents and friends by her side, she puts faith in a man named Benji, whom she had a relationship with before marrying Dallas. But even after getting divorced, Dallas becomes a leech who shames her for choosing happiness and accuses her of cheating. The last straw is when Dallas lays hands on her parents. That’s too much for Ava to bear. She calls Dallas over to her house one last time, as she knows exactly what she needs to do. She says things to enrage him, and he starts hitting her, bruising her face and body. But this time, she’s ready. She calls the police before things get out of hand, and, pretending it to be an act of self-defense, she shoots him. This was the only way to get this toxic man out of her life.Â
Dallas
Well, I am not going to bore you by repeating everything that Dallas did, because by now, I think you get the idea that he is the epitome of toxic masculinity. Played by Cory Hardrict, Dallas is a master manipulator who repeatedly brainwashed Ava. He pretended to change, but then blamed her for their failing marriage and wanted a divorce. It was just too much for Ava to handle. What’s even worse is how shocked he was when Ava actually agreed to the divorce he asked for! Maybe he thought she would beg him to stay. The audacity! Dallas didn’t stop there; he started stalking her, following her everywhere. He didn’t just torment Ava; he went after everyone close to her—her parents, her friends, and even Benji, the man Ava started seeing. Dallas even beat up Benji and killed his animals in the barn out of revenge! In the end, you don’t feel bad about Dallas’s death. Honestly, it feels like he got what he deserved.
Rona
Taylor Polidore Williams as Rona is the true definition of a girl’s girl, the ultimate friend in need for Ava. From the beginning, Rona saw Dallas for what he was and constantly warned Ava that he was bad news. She knew of her friend Ava’s compassionate nature and tendency to easily forgive everything. So every time Dallas messed up, Rona would write it down on paper. She did this so that when Ava needed a reminder of how terrible her marriage was, she could look back and see all the reasons why she deserved better. Rona is the kind of friend we all need in our lives. Even though Ava was blinded by love and often ignored Rona’s advice, Rona never gave up on her. She stood by Ava through thick and thin, helped her get a job at a bank, and encouraged her to move on with her life. Rona’s unwavering support and tough love were exactly what Ava needed to break free from her toxic marriage and find happiness again.
Mr. Clarence and Gene
Ava’s parents, Clarence and Gene, played by Richard Lawson and Debbi Morgan in Divorce in the Black, were Ava’s rock, always supportive and guiding her to make the right choices in life. Clarence, a church priest, and Gene, his devoted wife, were God-fearing people, the complete opposite of the Bertran family with their violent and criminal nature. From the start, Clarence and Gene wanted Ava to avoid marrying into the Bertran family, but love made her blind. Even though they didn’t agree with her decision, they never blamed her because they understood her intentions were pure, as Ava wanted to stand by her husband. When things got out of hand, Clarence and Gene stepped in. They knew their daughter was kind-hearted and didn’t deserve the abuse she was going through. They confronted Dallas directly when he threatened them, and they did everything they could to protect Ava from his toxic influence. Clarence even went as far as installing CCTV cameras in Ava’s house to ensure her safety. Realizing how dangerous Dallas was, Clarence gave Ava a gun, as he believed that Dallas deserved punishment for how he treated their daughter. In the end, they never judged Ava for killing Dallas. They knew she acted in self-defense and helped her move on with her life. They were truly the pillars of support that every person needs during tough times.
Benji
Benji, played by Joseph Lee Anderson, is everything Dallas isn’t—kind, understanding, and respectful. He and Ava used to date in high school, but they went their separate ways after she got married. Even though he loved her deeply, he respected her marriage and never interfered. Benji himself was going through a tough time with his own divorce and had a daughter to care for, so he truly understood what Ava was going through. When Ava needed support, Benji was there for her. Eventually, Ava and Benji rekindled their relationship. We hope this will be a great thing for Ava—fingers crossed! Because she truly deserves to be happy.
