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American Fiction

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02:15

American Fiction

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• Comedy
• Drama

• 2023
• Cord Jefferson
• 116 mins
• 15

Summary

Satirical comedy drama starring Jeffrey Wright. Author Thelonious "Monk" Ellison has trouble selling his highbrow novels. Then, when Monk - an African-American man - writes a vicious parody of bestselling "Black" fiction, under the pen name "Stagg R Leigh", he accidentally starts a bidding war and becomes an overnight sensation. But for how long can the conflicted Monk keep up the lie?

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Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Emma Simmonds

Writer/director Cord Jefferson makes a confident, Oscar-winning feature debut with this scathingly satirical comedy drama. Author Thelonious "Monk" Ellison (Jeffrey Wright) rages against a racially insensitive books industry with a taste for Black tragedy porn. Unable to get his latest work published due to its lack of stereotypes, Monk pens a savage send-up of the type of book expected from Black writers and it becomes an instant winner. Absurd without ever feeling outlandish, Jefferson's film - based on Percival Everett's 2001 novel Erasure - delivers its cutting and insightful commentary in a playful style. The fine supporting cast includes Tracee Ellis Ross and Sterling K Brown as Monk's siblings, Issa Rae as his annoying rival and Adam Brody as an amusingly awful film-maker. But the story's emotional truth comes via Wright's impeccably judged, grounding performance as an embittered yet still righteous man emerging reluctantly from his shell.

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7.5/10

How to watch

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Streaming

• BBC iPlayer
• Prime Video

Credits

Cast

rolenameThelonius "Monk" EllisonJeffrey WrightLisa EllisonTracee Ellis RossSintara GoldenIssa RaeClifford EllisonSterling K BrownArthurJohn OrtizCoralineErika AlexanderAgnes EllisonLeslie UggamsWiley ValdespinoAdam BrodyWilly the WonkerKeith DavidVan Go JenkinsOkieriete OnaodowanLorraineMyra Lucretia Taylor

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Crew

rolenameDirectorCord Jefferson

Details

Theatrical distributor

Curzon

Released on

2024-02-02

Languages

English

Guidance

Violence, swearing, sexual references, drug abuse

Formats

Colour

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  The Oscar-nominated actor speaks exclusively to RadioTimes.com about his role in the satirical drama.

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