Full Breakdown
Clarissa: Neon’s Lagos Reimagining of Woolf’s “Mrs. Dalloway” Set for December Release
7/2/2026, 2:47:32 AM
Neon Announces December 11, 2026 Release
Neon confirmed that “Clarissa” will open in select theaters on December 11, 2026. The announcement, issued as a press release, positions the film at the heart of the 2026 awards calendar.
London to Lagos – “Mrs. Dalloway” Reimagined
“Clarissa” reinterprets Virginia Woolf’s 1925 novel “Mrs. Dalloway” by relocating its single-day narrative from London to contemporary Lagos. The adaptation follows the Esiri brothers—Arie and Chuko—who previously earned acclaim for “Eyimofe (This Is My Desire).”
Creative Team
The Esiri brothers also wrote the screenplay (Chuko). Casting director Nina Gold assembled an ensemble featuring Academy Award nominee Sophie Okonedo and breakout star India Amarteifio as Clarissa at different ages, Golden Globe nominee David Oyelowo as former lover Peter, Emmy winner Ayo Edebiri, Emmy nominee Toheeb Jimoh, plus Nikki Amuka-Bird, Fortune Nwafor and Joke Silva. Producers include Theresa Park (Per Capita Production) and Nicholas Weinstock (Invention Studio). Cinematography is by Jonathan Bloom, editing by Blair McClendon, music by Kelsey Lu, costume design by Eniola Dawodu, and production design by Hanrui Wang.
Critical Reception
The film premiered in Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight in May 2026, the second Nigerian feature ever selected. It holds a perfect 100 % Rotten Tomatoes score and earned unanimous praise from critics, including Variety’s Jessica Kiang and The New York Times’ Manohla Dargis. It is noted as a bold, quietly radical reimagining that reframes class, colonialism and isolation.
Official Statements
Neon’s announcement highlighted the film’s critical acclaim and its placement within the studio’s award-season slate, which includes Palme d’Or winner “Fjord,” James Gray’s “Paper Tiger,” and Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s “All of a Sudden.” Neon called “Clarissa” a potential contender for honors.
Criticism – Pacing
Some reviewers cautioned that the film’s deliberate tempo can feel slow or uneven, suggesting that its measured pacing may challenge certain audience expectations.
Why It Matters
Neon’s recent record includes two Best-Picture Oscar nominations for non-English-language films and a Best International Feature win for “Sentimental Value.” Releasing “Clarissa” in early December lets the studio leverage festival buzz and critical acclaim for awards consideration.
Conflicting Reports
All cited sources agree on the December 11, 2026 release date, Cannes selection status, and the 100 % Rotten Tomatoes rating. No contradictory data were identified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “a superb Sophie Okonedo, radiant with melancholy” — Jessica Kiang, Variety
- “the movie counts as one of the few genuine discoveries” — Manohla Dargis, The New York Times
- “was one of the most exciting movies playing during the Cannes Film Festival.” — Manohla Dargis, The New York Times
- “Take a look: NEON announced today that CLARISSA will open in select theaters on December 11, 2026.” — Neon press release
What's Next
Following its limited theatrical debut, “Clarissa” is slated for a broader awards-season campaign, with additional festival screenings anticipated throughout late 2026.
