The Power opens with a monologue from politician Margot Cleary-Lopez. Female soldiers are in uniform. A female President briefs the press. There’s a montage of confident women. A crackle of electricity as they look down at their hands. A woman shoots lightning from her hands. As Margot says: “Every revolution begins with a spark.”
Six months earlier we meet Allie, an African-American girl who’s been in the care system since she was three and hasn’t spoken for half a year. Her white, Christian foster-parents have brought Allie to a speech therapist. He explains that Allie’s silence is connected to trauma, and her foster father Clyde Montgomery cracks a joke to change the subject.
The Montgomerys take Allie to church, where the pastor blames Eve for all sin. A voice in Allie’s ear challenges his sexism. But Allie’s the only one who can hear it. Disturbed, she runs from the church. As Allie has a panic attack the voice promises to keep her safe, revealing the power is in Allie’s chest.
In England Roxy Monke’s getting ready for her brother’s wedding. Christina assures Roxy she belongs there, but tells Roxy not to ask her dad for a job. They hug and share a peaceful moment. Meanwhile Bernie Monke’s not pleased. He stalks through the posh hotel and smashes his son’s wedding cake because it’s the wrong color, threatening staff so they’ll make another.
Back in the States Jos Cleary-Lopez scrolls social media. She smiles over a video of a boy skateboarding. Then Jos visits her mom’s official mayor account and likes all the comments critical of Margot, adding abuse of her own. Jos is furious Margot posted a family video without her consent. Her fingers crackle with electricity. Then she runs for the school bus.
Tunde, a young man in a suit, strolls through a Nigerian market. Ndudi picks him up in her car. Stripping off his shirt and tie, Tunde returns to his true passion – journalism. He livestreams while Ndudi talks about juju meetings where women awaken each other’s power. But a text from Adunda derails their plans to investigate.
Tunde has a sneaky link! Ndudi drops him home, unimpressed. And Tunde leaps into the pool, showing off for Adunde. They kiss and it heats up fast. Until Adunde grabs Tunde, electrocuting him. Freaked out, Tunde retreats to the bathroom.
Roxy shows up at the wedding party in a dress and trainers, getting stares from her father’s wealthy guests. She’s hurt to be sat at table 20, far away from official family. Roxy stares at the top table. Catching sight of Bernie, she follows him through the crowd. She and her brother Terry wait until the rabbi has spoken.
Ricky asks where Roxy got her dress and she doesn’t miss a beat: “your wardrobe.”
She hugs her dad, who has the good sense to get Roxy away from his wife. Though Bernie tells her off, it’s clear he loves Roxy’s fire. And Roxy asks for a job, pointing out she’s smarter than Terry and tougher than Darrell. But Bernie, the man who smashed a wedding cake, tells Roxy she’s too emotional.
He fobs Roxy off with a spa job in the Cotswolds – away from business and family in London. Bernie encourages Roxie to prove herself, save up, and get a boyfriend. At her glare he adds: “Or a girlfriend. Whatever.” Bernie leaves to give his speech and Roxy isn’t happy. She itches at her collarbone. And arrives just in time to hear Bernie claim he has three sons and a daughter now Liat has married Ricky. Roxy is devastated.
Jos arrives at school, blowing the security screening as she steps through. She scratches her collarbone and has an awkward conversation with Ryan, the skater. Jos leans against the lockers, sending a current through the metal. Ryan writes it off as static. But Jos sprints to the bathroom, examining her collarbone. Another girl – Cat – says she knows what it is and invites Jos out later.
Allie sits in the car with Clyde, clutching a tub of melting ice cream. He wipes a trickle from her bare leg. And the voice comforts Allie as her collarbone pulses. They sit down for Sunday dinner, Clyde carving the roast. At the voice’s urging Allie turns down her cut because she doesn’t like meat. Clyde tells Allie to know her place. But Allie is done with the meal, the conversation, her foster parents. She goes up to her room, decorated for a child years younger, and slams the door.
Clyde follows Allie upstairs and takes off his belt. Downstairs, Mrs. Montgomery hears banging. She puts on cheerful music. Clyde gets on top of Allie. And she touches his neck, electrocuting Clyde until he falls to the ground. Clyde begs for his life. But Allie covers his mouth and fries him to a crisp. She takes her things and runs.
Tunde goes online and searches “electric hands.” He calls Ndudi about the juju meeting, but she hangs up.
Behind the hotel, Roxy kisses another girl. She swigs vodka and rants about the Monkes. As Bernie’s legitimate children, her brothers grew up in luxury. But because Bernie got Christina pregnant at the same time Barbara was expecting Terry, she hates seeing Roxy. The resentment is strong and with a spark Roxy’s vodka goes up in flames.
That night Jos finds Cat, who teaches her how to control electricity. Their fingers brush as they touch a streetlight. The bulb blows, taking every other light around them – the girls took out the block’s power.
Roxy gets home and is telling Christina about the wedding when two men break in. They’re thrown because Roxy wasn’t supposed to be there. She fights like hell to reach her mum. But the men lock a screaming Roxy in the cupboard. Power sparks in her hands and Roxy breaks free. She electrocutes one of the men. And while Roxy’s still stunned, the other knocks her out.
Tunde explores a dark house, recording a blown fuse box and burn marks as he explores. Women sit laughing and lighting cigarettes with their hands. Others dance, lighting bulbs through a touch. Ndudi catches him a moment before the others, vouching for Tunde. But a woman throws lightning at Ndudi, burning her. The women run as Ndudi has a fit. Tunde begs for help.
Roxy wakes up bruised and bleeding. She finds Christina dead, throat cut. Roxy sobs and cradles her mother’s body.
In America, Allie walks until she’s exhausted. The voice promises a place where she belongs. Allie lies down in a field and draws fireflies with the sparks in her fingertips.
Later, Roxy returns to the wedding party. She pushes through the dance floor, covered in Christina’s blood. The brothers take her to Bernie, who hold Roxy while she explains and collapses.
And Allie finds an aquarium. She approaches a tank, puts both hands on the glass, and draws the eels close with her own electricity.
