Directed by Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri, in the drama film ‘Clarissa,’ across a single day in Lagos, Nigeria, Clarissa (Sophie Okonedo) prepares to host a high society party at her home, as her complicated past begins to consume her, in the form of now-distant friends and loves from her youth. Simultaneously, Septimus (Fortune Nwafo[r]), a young soldier, is haunted by his own memories of the horrors he has witnessed and endured. As the perspectives traverse past and present, across the bourgeois class and those too easily forgotten by society, a delicate portrait of contemporary Nigeria emerges.
‘Clarissa’ stars Sophie Okonedo (as Clarissa), India Amarteifio (as young Clarissa), David Oyelowo (as Peter), Toheeb Jimoh (as young Peter), Nikki Amuka-Bird (as Sally), and Ayo Edebiri (as young Sally).
Written by Chuko Esiri, with story by Virginia Woolf, ‘Clarissa’ is produced by Arie Esiri, Chuko Esiri, Theresa Park, and Nicholas Weinstock, with executive producers Adekunle Adebiyi, Bolaji Balogun, Alison Cohen, Jeff Deutchman, Kate Gondwe, Sophie Okonedo, Dolly Omodolapo Kola-Balogun, Osahon Okunbo, Tom Quinn, Candice Sanchez McFarlane, and Jason Reif. Production companies are Per Capita Productions, Canex Creations, Kimerafilm, and Invention Studios.
The film’s cinematography is by Jonathan Bloom, the music is by Kelsey Lu, with editing by Blair McClendon.
Watch the trailer below:
Neon will release ‘Clarissa’ in theaters on December 11, 2026.
Sophie Okonedo is most known for Hotel Rwanda. David Oyelowo is most known for Selma. India Amarteifio is most known for Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Ayo Edebiri is most known for The Bear. Toheeb Jimoh is most known for Ted Lasso. Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri are most known for Eyimofe.
