‘Sister Act’ Finds a Home on Netflix
By Maurice Williams
If you have never been fortunate enough to watch Whoopie Goldberg in Sister Act, Netflix is here to help you. Since its release in 1992, Sister Act has stood the test of time—hailed as a classic, especially in African-American culture. This movie does a beautiful job telling a seemingly over the top story about a lounge singer placed in witness protection after seeing her mobster boyfriend commit a crime. However, when you begin watching this movie you can see that, while the premise may sound ridiculous, this movie has a much deeper layer.
A Story of Acceptance and Inclusivity
A black woman is put into a predominantly white covenant with a group of nuns that do not understand her lifestyle at all, and judging her unfairly for it. Likewise, Whoopi Goldberg’s character, Sister Mary Clarence, looks at these women in a specifically unappealing light as well—both parties making unfounded and unfair assumptions rooted in stereotypes and misinformation. As the story progresses, both sides begin to notice that, while their approaches may not be exactly the same and they may not agree on everything, they are all still working together to serve God the best way they know how. This is effortlessly portrayed through the story of Sister Mary Clarence becoming involved in the choir, bringing together two unlikely groups through bonds of service and community.
33 years after its initial release, Sister Act’s message of inclusivity and being open to change is something that is still so prevalent for the world to hear. In today’s society, where many people still fear change and progress, it is good to be reminded that listening and seeking to understand each other—seeing the beauty and amazement born from our collective differences—is the key to a kinder humanity. Even now, in 2025, Sister Act is a must-watch for everyone!
Stream Sister Act now on Netflix.