Neon has released the official US trailer for Clarissa, an upcoming drama directed by Nigerian sibling filmmakers Arie and Chuko Esiri. The film features a star-studded international cast led by Sophie Okonedo, India Amarteifio, David Oyelowo, Ayo Edebiri, Toheeb Jimoh, and Nikki Amuka-Bird. The movie is scheduled for a theatrical release in the United States on December 11.
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Verify & Continue ReadingShot entirely on 35mm film in Lagos, Nigeria, Clarissa is a loose, modern-day adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s classic 1925 novel, Mrs. Dalloway. The story centers on Clarissa, a high-society woman preparing to host an extravagant party at her home. As the evening progresses, she unexpectedly crosses paths with once-intimate friends from her youth, triggering nostalgia and an emotional reckoning.
Neon’s official synopsis notes that the gathering forces the group to confront their shared history over a single night. Memories of intricate relationships, passionate love affairs, hidden desires, and lost aspirations resurface, offering a bittersweet examination of the choices that shaped their lives.
Cast and Creative Team Behind ‘Clarissa’
The film’s ensemble features prominent actors across generations. Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda) and India Amarteifio (Queen Charlotte) share the titular role, portraying Clarissa at different stages of her life. They are joined by Emmy winner Ayo Edebiri (The Bear), Emmy nominee David Oyelowo (Selma), Toheeb Jimoh (Ted Lasso), and Nikki Amuka-Bird (Knock at the Cabin).
Chuko Esiri wrote the screenplay. Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri produced the film alongside Theresa Park for Per Capita Productions and Nicholas Weinstock for Invention Studios. Nina Gold served as the casting director. Executive producers include Sophie Okonedo, Dolly Omodolapo Kola-Balogun, Osahon Okunbo, and Jason Reif.
Festival Run and Reception
Clarissa premiered earlier this year at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival in the Directors’ Fortnight section, earning a Queer Palm nomination. It marked a historic milestone as only the second Nigerian film to premiere at Cannes, following last year’s selection, My Father’s Shadow. The film has since screened at several major international events, including the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the Zurich Film Festival.
Directors Arie and Chuko Esiri previously gained critical acclaim for their debut feature, Eyimofe (This Is My Desire). That film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, won five African Movie Academy Awards, and joined the Criterion Collection via Janus Films.
Key Details At a Glance
- Directors: Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri
- Screenwriter: Chuko Esiri
- Source Material: Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway
- Cinematography: Jonathan Bloom (35mm film)
- Distributor: Neon
- US Release Date: December 11, 2026
Audiences can watch Clarissa in select US theaters starting December 11, 2026.
