Clarissa (2026 film)
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Clarissa is a 2026 drama film directed and produced by Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri. A modern-day reimagining of the 1925 novel Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf, it's set in contemporary Lagos, Nigeria. It stars Sophie Okonedo, David Oyelowo, India Amarteifio, Toheeb Jimoh, Nikki Amuka-Bird, and Ayo Edebiri.
- Arie Esiri
- Chuko Esiri
- Theresa Park
- Nicky Weinstock
| Clarissa | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | |
| Written by | Chuko Esiri |
| Based on | |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Jonathan Bloom |
| Edited by | Blair McClendon |
| Music by | Kelsey Lu |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Neon |
Release dates |
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Running time | 125 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Language | English |
The film had its world premiere at the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on May 16, where it was nominated for the Queer Palm.[1][2] It is scheduled for a limited theatrical release in the United States on December 11 by Neon.[3]
Cast
- Sophie Okonedo as Clarissa
- India Amarteifio as young Clarissa
- David Oyelowo as Peter, Clarissa's former lover
- Toheeb Jimoh as young Peter
- Nikki Amuka-Bird as Sally, Clarissa's estranged friend
- Ayo Edebiri as young Sally
- Fortune Nwafor as Septimus, a traumatized military officer
- Modesinuola Ogundiwin as Aisha, Septimus' wife
- Jude Akuwudike as Richard, Clarissa's husband
- Ogranya as young Richard
- Danny Sapani as Ugo, Clarissa's friend
- Kehinde Cardoso as young Ugo
- Joy Sunday as Comfort
- Joke Silva as Lady Maryam, Ugo's boss
Production
In August 2021, twin filmmakers Arie and Chuko Esiri revealed that they were developing a modern-day reimagining of the 1925 novel Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf, set in Lagos, Nigeria.[4] The script was written by Chuko, with both brothers serving as producers and directors. Theresa Park of Per Capita Productions secured funding from Neon and invited Nicky Weinstock of Invention Studios to round off the team.
Sophie Okonedo was cast as Clarissa before the script had even been written; according to the brothers, Okonedo was the only person they envisioned in the role. Ayo Edebiri later joined the project as young Sally; with both Adeberi and Okonedo attached, the filmmakers were able to secure the interest of casting director Nina Gold, helping pave the way for the remainder of the cast to come together. [5] [6]
Principal photography took place in Lagos and Delta State during November and December 2025, with Jonathan Bloom serving as director of photography lensing on 35mm.[7] The film was reportedly made for just under 5 million dollars, [8] with half of the financing coming from CANEX Creations, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), the equity investment arm of Afreximbank. and MBO Capital, a Nigerian private equity firm.[9][10][11] In November 2025, Neon acquired worldwide distribution rights to the film. [12][13]
Reception
Following its Cannes premiere, the film received overwhelmingly positive reviews from outlets that included The Guardian, The Hollywood Reporter, The Wrap, and Screen Daily. [14] [15] [16] [17] On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a score of 100% with an average rating of 8.1/10, based on 19 reviews.[18] On Metacritic, the film holds a weighted average score of 87/100 based on 11 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[19]
It will have its U.S. premiere in the Main Slate of the 2026 New York Film Festival.[20]