MDMA (2017)
A sharp, socially charged crime drama about ambition, identity, and the dangerous shortcuts one young woman takes to claim her place in the world.
MDMA - Movie Information
MDMA - Plot
When an Asian American girl from the wrong side of the tracks is accepted by a prestigious university, she finds that her academic prowess can be put to lucrative use.
MDMA - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see where ambition and danger collide:
Higher Learning Can Be Pure Ecstasy
Where to Watch MDMA
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MDMA - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Angie Wang
Main Cast
- Annie Q. Riegel
- Francesca Eastwood
- Pierson Fodé
- Scott Keiji Takeda
- Aalyrah Caldwell
- Yetide Badaki
- Noah Segan
- Elisa Donovan
- Ron Yuan
- Sarah Guilbault
Writers
- Angie Wang
Producers
- Richard J. Bosner
- Angie Wang
MDMA - FAQs
What is MDMA (2017) about?
MDMA follows Angie, an Asian American young woman from a difficult background who earns a place at a prestigious university. Once there, she discovers her sharp intellect can be channeled into the lucrative and perilous world of drug dealing, forcing her to navigate ambition, identity, and moral compromise.
Who are the main actors in MDMA?
MDMA stars Annie Q. Riegel as Angie, Francesca Eastwood as Jeanine, and Pierson Fodé as Alex. The supporting cast includes Scott Keiji Takeda, Aalyrah Caldwell, Yetide Badaki, Noah Segan, Elisa Donovan, Ron Yuan, and Sarah Guilbault.
Is MDMA based on a true story?
MDMA is not directly based on a single documented true story, but writer-director Angie Wang drew on real cultural experiences and social dynamics surrounding Asian American identity, class pressure, and campus life to craft the film's grounded, character-driven narrative.
Where can I stream or watch MDMA?
MDMA is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, Hoopla, Plex, and Fandango at Home Free. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
Who directed MDMA (2017)?
MDMA was written and directed by Angie Wang, who also served as a producer on the film. Wang brings a personal perspective to the story, exploring themes of Asian American identity, class mobility, and the moral costs of ambition within a crime-drama framework.
What does the title MDMA refer to in the film?
In the film, MDMA refers to the drug at the center of the protagonist's illicit enterprise. The title works on a double level: it names the substance driving the plot while also echoing the film's tagline, 'Higher Learning Can Be Pure Ecstasy,' connecting academic ambition with chemical escapism.
What genre is MDMA and what themes does it explore?
MDMA is a Drama and Crime film. It explores themes of class inequality, racial identity, academic pressure, and moral compromise. The story examines how systemic disadvantage can push a gifted young woman toward dangerous choices, blending campus drama with crime thriller elements.
How long is the movie MDMA?
MDMA has a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes (93 minutes). The film was released in the United States on March 10, 2017, and is also known under the alternative title Cardinal X.
More About MDMA
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