CLARISSA (2026): The Esiri Brothers Bring Mrs Dalloway to Lagos

The official trailer for CLARISSA, the latest film from Nigerian twin filmmakers, Arie and Chuko Esiri, has been released! The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival’s Directors’ Fortnight in May 2026 and features an impressive cast, including Sophie Okonedo, David Oyelowo, India Amarteifio, Ayo Edebiri, Toheeb Jimoh, Nikki Amuka-Bird and Fortune Nwafor 

 

Synopsis
Set in modern-day Lagos, CLARISSA follows a wealthy Nigerian woman preparing to host a party. As she gets ready for the gathering, memories of her past and the relationships that shaped her life begin to resurface.

Inspired by Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway, the film explores love, identity, social class, memory and trauma through a contemporary Nigerian perspective.

 

A British Classic Reimagined in Lagos

What I find particularly interesting about CLARISSA is how the Esiri brothers have taken Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway, originally set in London after the First World War, and brought the story to modern-day Nigeria.

Another interesting change is the character of Septimus. In the original novel, he is a First World War veteran struggling with trauma. In CLARISSA, he becomes a Nigerian soldier dealing with PTSD following his experiences fighting the Boko Haram insurgency. The film was shot in Lagos and Delta State, Nigeria, on 35mm film.

 

Latest News and Release Date

Following its premiere at Cannes in May 2026, CLARISSA screened at the BFI London Film Festival in October. The film is also scheduled to screen at Film Africa on 29 October 2026 at Riverside Studios in London.

I’m excited to be attending Film Africa on 29 October to watch CLARISSA on the big screen!

Having followed the film’s journey, I’m particularly looking forward to seeing how the Esiri brothers have reimagined Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway in a contemporary Nigerian setting.

A US cinema release is planned for 11 December 2026. A UK release date has yet to be announced.