Clarissa is a 2026 drama film directed and produced by Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri. The film is a modern-day reimagining of the 1925 novel Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf, set in contemporary Lagos, Nigeria. It stars Sophie Okonedo, India Amarteifio, Ayo Edebiri, Toheeb Jimoh, Nikki Amuka-Bird, and David Oyelowo.
| 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 (United States) |
Release date |
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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]
Cast
edit- Sophie Okonedo as Clarissa
- India Amarteifio as young Clarissa
- Nikki Amuka-Bird as Sally, Clarissa's estranged friend
- Ayo Edebiri as young Sally
- David Oyelowo as Peter, Clarissa's former lover
- Toheeb Jimoh as young Peter
- 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
editIn 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.[3] The script was written by Chuko along with both brothers serving as producers and directors. Theresa Park of Per Capita Productions and Nicholas Weinstock of Invention Studios rounded off the production 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. [4] [5]
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.[6] The film was reportedly made for just under 5 million dollars, [7] 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.[8][9][10] In November 2025, Neon acquired worldwide distribution rights to the film. [11][12]
Reception
editFollowing its Cannes premiere, the film received overwhelmingly positive reviews from outlets that included The Guardian, The Hollywood Reporter, The Wrap, and Screen Daily. [13] [14] [15] [16] On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a score of 100% with an average rating of 8.2/10, based on 12 reviews.[17] On Metacritic, the film holds a weighted average score of 86/100 based on ten critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[18]
References
edit- ↑ "Clarissa". Quinzaine des cinéastes. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
- ↑ "Queer Palm - Festival de Cannes". queerpalm.org. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
- ↑ J. Wanjiru, Ellen (August 6, 2021). "Co-directors Arie & Chuko Esiri Talk Feature Film 'Eyimofe (This Is My Desire)'". Black Film. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ↑ Georgiades, Luke (May 21, 2026). "Chuko and Arie Esiri on Clarissa, their Nigerian adaptation of Mrs. Dalloway". A Rabbit's Foot. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
- ↑ Blyth, Antonia (May 19, 2026). "'Clarissa's Sophie Okonedo And Cast Cannes interview". Deadline. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Scores and the City: SOUNDS OF 16 with CHUKO ESIRI". 16 By 16. August 31, 2025. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ↑ Tabbara, Mona. "Directors' Fortnight's 'Clarissa' filmmakers on their next feature and the future of Nigerian cinema". Screen. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- ↑ Ayeni, Ibukunoluwa (February 9, 2026). ""Clarissa" Nigerian Cast Revealed: Modesinuola Ogundinwin, Joke Silva, Chigul, Chuks Joseph, Attached In Esiri Brothers' Sophomore Feature". ShockNG. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- ↑ Vourlias, Christopher (May 15, 2026). "Canex Creations Boss Talks Global Ambitions for African Film as Neon Drops First Look for Buzzy Cannes Premiere 'Clarissa' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- ↑ "CANEX Invests in Nigerian Feature 'Clarissa' as NEON Secures Global Rights". February 20, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- ↑ Grobar, Matt (February 6, 2026). "Neon Acquires 'Mrs. Dalloway' Reimagining 'Clarissa' Starring Sophie Okonedo, David Oyelowo, India Amarteifio, Ayo Edebiri & Toheeb Jimoh". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ↑ "CLARISSA; Motion picture". U.S. Copyright Office. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
- ↑ Bradshaw, Peter (May 16, 2026). "Clarissa review – Sophie Okonedo mesmeric as Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway decamps to Nigeria". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- ↑ Gyarkye, Lovia (May 16, 2026). "'Clarissa' Review: Sophie Okonedo and Ayo Edebiri in a Sharp and Stirring Nigeria-Set Take on 'Mrs. Dalloway'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- ↑ Hutchinson, Chase (May 16, 2026). "'Clarissa' Review: Sophie Okonedo Is Outstanding In Riveting Reimagining of Virginia Woolf's 'Mrs Dalloway'". TheWrap. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- ↑ Daniels, Robert. "'Clarissa' review: Sophie Okonedo, David Oyelowo anchor bold Lagos-set 'Mrs Dalloway' adaptation". Screen. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Clarissa". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- ↑ "Clarissa Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 25, 2026.