On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
2024 · Movie · PG-13 · 99 min · ★ 7.6 · 82% critics
After finding a relative’s body on a deserted road at night, a woman is pulled into the rituals and expectations of a traditional funeral. As family members gather, tense conversations and uneasy silences begin to expose long-buried wrongdoing, forcing her to navigate grief, pressure, and the cost of speaking up.
Where to watch
Streaming on HBO Max and Cinemax.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 2024
- Release date
- 2024-12-06
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG-13
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Critic score
- 82/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.6/10 (39 votes)
About
If you like character-driven stories about family pressure, tradition, and speaking up—sometimes with dark humor—this may land, but Not for you if you want fast pacing, clear answers, or easy comfort like Eighth Grade.
Pros: darkly funny moments; powerful social themes; authentic family rituals | Cons: slow, talk-light pacing; unsettling subject matter; some ambiguity frustrates
Themes
- cautionary
Cast & crew
Susan Chardy
as Shula
Elizabeth Chisela
as Nsansa
Esther Singini
as Bupe
- BB
Blessings Bhamjee
as Young Shula
- DN
Doris Naulapwa
as Shula's Mother
Henry B.J. Phiri
as Shula's Father
Roy Chisha
as Uncle Fred
- BM
Benson Mumba
as Joseph
- CB
Chungu Bwalya
as Farm Club Presenter 1
- MM
Margaret Mulubwa
as Farm Club Presenter 2
Directed by Rungano Nyoni