Official US Trailer for ‘Clarissa’ – Set in Nigeria with Sophie Okonedo
by Alex Billington
October 1, 2026
Source: YouTube
“I never thought you’d settle…” Neon has revealed the main official US trailer for a lovely indie film titled Clarissa – a modern day adaptation of the classic novel Mrs Dalloway but it’s set in Lagos, Nigeria this time. The film first premiered the the 2026 Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, and also recently played at the Toronto & Zurich Film Fests as well. Made by the brothers Arie Esiri & Chuko Esiri as their second feature so far. The story follows a Lagos society wife preparing for a party while reflecting on her youth and the choices that led her to marry a respected man instead of her poet boyfriend. The exceptional main cast features Sophie Okonedo, India Amarteifio, David Oyelowo, Ayo Edebiri, Toheeb Jimoh, Nikki Amuka-Bird. Via TIFF: “Abetted by Jonathan Bloom’s magnificent 35mm cinematography and meticulous attention to detail… [The Esiris’ take on] Clarissa immerses us in a suspended moment in time—a time of introspection, existential crisis, and re-examination of the past. By choosing to focus on individual destinies rather than collective ones, the Esiri brothers offer us precious portraits in a unique and impressive style.” It looks very tender and charming, and the cinematography appears so light and lovely. Quite curious to see it.
Here’s the first official trailer (+ poster) for Arie & Chuko Esiri’s film Clarissa, direct from YouTube:
Clarissa follows society woman Clarissa (Sophie Okonedo) as she prepares to host a party at her home in Lagos, Nigeria, where she will unexpectedly encounter once-intimate friends from her youth. As the group reflects on their shared past over the course of a single night, memories of their intricate relationships, passionate love, hidden desires, and lost aspirations give rise to bittersweet reckoning. Clarissa is directed by filmmaker brothers Arie Esiri & Chuko Esiri, both of the film This Is My Desire previously, and a few other short films. The screenplay is written by Chuko Esiri. Adapted from the novel “Mrs Dalloway” written by Virginia Woolf, first published in 1925. It’s produced by Arie Esiri, Chuko Esiri, Theresa Park, Nicholas Weinstock. This intiially premiered at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. Neon releases Arie & Chuko Esiri’s Clarissa film in select US theaters starting December 11th, 2026 this year. Look any good?
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