American Fiction

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American Fiction

R

Released Jan 12, 2024

1h 57m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

291 Reviews

95%

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1,000+ Verified Ratings

AMERICAN FICTION is Cord Jefferson's hilarious directorial debut, which confronts our culture's obsession with reducing people to outrageous stereotypes. Jeffrey Wright stars as Monk, a frustrated novelist who's fed up with the establishment profiting from "Black" entertainment that relies on tired and offensive tropes. To prove his point, Monk uses a pen name to write an outlandish "Black" book of his own, a book that propels him to the heart of hypocrisy and the madness he claims to disdain.

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Critics Consensus

Jeffrey Wright and American Fiction will forever be inextricable thanks to the actor's committed approach to the pointedly humorous and insightful material.

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Audience Says

Smart, funny, and poignant, American Fiction will make you laugh as often as it makes you think.

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Wenlei Ma

The Nightly (AU)

Anchored by a tour de force performance from Jeffrey Wright, writer and first-time director Cord Jefferson’s film is a confident work that delights in exploring thorny concepts through humour and clear-minded irreverence.

Rated: 5/5

Feb 27, 2024

Full Review

Tara Brady

Irish Times

Cord Jefferson, who previously made episodes of Watchmen and The Good Life, marries a light touch and broad humour with affecting familial dysfunction and biting observations on race. Cultural crises are seldom so entertaining.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 24, 2024

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Stephen Romei

The Australian

This satire shouldn't be laugh-out-loud funny ... but it is.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 24, 2024

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Charlotte Simmons

The Treatment (Substack)

If it’s a particularly impressive comedy film, its beats can function in two or more frameworks at once so as to tickle even more subconscious funnybones. And if it’s as ingeniously crafted as American Fiction? Well...

Jul 23, 2025

Full Review

Samantha Schuster

Cinéfilo Serial

With intelligence, wit, and a biting social critique, the director seeks to blend an absurd and unexpected work story with a powerful family tragedy to achieve a perfect balance between comedy and drama. [Full Review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

Jul 18, 2025

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Maxance Vincent

Film Speak

Jefferson doesn’t push buttons for the sake of pushing buttons. Every scene has a purpose and informs Monk’s view of the world.

Rated: A

Jul 14, 2025

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Quinton H

Overall, a good choice for a date night movie. The story & acting talent were great. In fact, I liked the movie enough to add Percival Everett to my reading list - a decision which I’ve not regretted.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/27/24

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Brian J

👍🏿 very entertaining definitely would recommend

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/19/24

Full Review

jac

very fun Jeffrey Wright is amazing, aa always

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/11/24

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Kent

Fun story. Very good acting. Not my favorite ending.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/09/24

Full Review

Barbara C

one viewing is enough. no real message that would inspire for change

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/23/24

Full Review

TLC

Deserves all the praise its received!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/17/24

Full Review

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Cord Jefferson

Director

Jeffrey Wright

Thelonious "Monk" Ellison

Tracee Ellis Ross

Lisa

John Ortiz

Arthur

Erika Alexander

Coraline

Leslie Uggams

Agnes

American Fiction: Movie Clip - Bookstore

1:06

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American Fiction: Exclusive Featurette - American Artist

2:09

Sterling K. Brown Breaks Down His Career and Talks ‘American Fiction’

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American Fiction: Trailer 2

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American Fiction: Featurette - Page to Screen

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American Fiction: Featurette - First Look

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American Fiction: Featurette - Jeffrey Wright Is “Monk"

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American Fiction: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

AMERICAN FICTION is Cord Jefferson's hilarious directorial debut, which confronts our culture's obsession with reducing people to outrageous stereotypes. Jeffrey Wright stars as Monk, a frustrated novelist who's fed up with the establishment profiting from "Black" entertainment that relies on tired and offensive tropes. To prove his point, Monk uses a pen name to write an outlandish "Black" book of his own, a book that propels him to the heart of hypocrisy and the madness he claims to disdain.

Director: Cord Jefferson
Producer: Ben LeClair, Nikos Karamigios, Cord Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson
Screenwriter: Cord Jefferson
Distributor: MGM
Production Co: Orion Pictures, T-Street, MRC, 3Arts
Rating: R (Sexual References|Language Throughout|Brief Violence|Some Drug Use)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 12, 2024, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 6, 2024
Box Office (Gross USA): $21.0M
Runtime: 1h 57m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1

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