Moses Sumney Says 'Is God Is' Script Pulled Him Into Film Scoring

Moses Sumney, the indie musician and actor who had spent years turning down film-scoring offers, reversed course after reading the script for Aleshea Harris' 'Is God Is' and meeting with the writer-director, he told The Hollywood Reporter in a new interview.

The Details

Sumney said he had repeatedly rejected opportunities to compose for films before being approached about 'Is God Is.' In his own words: 'I never wanted to score movies.'

What changed his stance was the strength of the screenplay itself. He called the script 'just so undeniably brilliant.' He also credited an early meeting with Harris with pushing him toward a yes.

The film, which Harris wrote and directed, was released theatrically on May 15, 2026. In a separate interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Harris' debut feature was described as critically praised, with screenings yielding strong audience reactions to its ending.

Questions remain about the exact composer credit. The Hollywood Reporter states that Sumney collaborated on the score with Joseph Shirley. Yet Wikipedia's film entry lists only Shirley in its music credits, indicating Sumney may have contributed without receiving sole or final screen attribution.

Context

'Is God Is' originated as a 2018 play by Harris before being adapted into its 2026 feature form. The story centers on twin sisters pursuing revenge against their father after being disfigured as children.

Sumney told The Hollywood Reporter he pursued a specific sonic direction for the project. 'I was really interested synthesizing the sounds of the American South with the concept of heading west,' he said.

The publication also noted that Sumney's work on 'Is God Is' marks a notable expansion of his career beyond indie music and acting into long-form film composition.

What's Next

The available record does not indicate upcoming projects, future collaborations, or next releases for those involved.