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On Becoming a Guinea Fowl

Play trailer 2:04 Poster for On Becoming a Guinea Fowl PG-13 Now Playing 1h 35m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 83 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
On an empty road in the middle of the night, Shula stumbles across the body of her uncle. As funeral proceedings begin around them, she and her cousins bring to light the buried secrets of their middle-class Zambian family, in filmmaker Rungano Nyoni's surreal and vibrant reckoning with the lies we tell ourselves.
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On Becoming a Guinea Fowl

On Becoming a Guinea Fowl

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Critics Consensus

A vibrant exploration of family and social mores, On Becoming a Guineau Fowl marks another superb effort from writer-director Rungano Nyoni.

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Critics Reviews

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Bill Goodykoontz Arizona Republic The film is beautifully shot, with cinematographer David Gallego composing some images that are beautifully impressionistic and some that are coldly realistic. The entire film takes on a dream-like quality. Rated: 4.5/5 Mar 20, 2025 Full Review Kat Sachs Chicago Reader There’s a quiet conviction to the proceedings, letting the hypocrisy and resultant upheaval speak for themselves, with a bit of humor to highlight and temper the dark absurdity. Mar 17, 2025 Full Review Thelma Adams AARP Movies for Grownups A cathartic, confident, unfussy film that brushes against the universality of death, while sharing the specificity of Zambian mourning rituals to a global audience. Rated: 5/5 Mar 14, 2025 Full Review Dennis Harvey 48 Hills Though largely a black comedy with notes of absurdism, "Guinea Fowl" simmers like a pot about to boil over. Mar 27, 2025 Full Review Lisa Trifone Third Coast Review Coupled with an intense score (by Lucrecia Dalt) that would seem to be more at home in a thriller or horror movie, Nyoni is not being shy about the fact that that story she's telling is a difficult one. Rated: 3/4 Mar 26, 2025 Full Review Sarah Vincent Sarah G Vincent Views “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl” may feel like a daunting task when you just want to relax and watch a movie. It is a funny movie despite being about death and trauma, but more importantly, it is unique, stunning and surprising. Mar 23, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Roman Damn, ow, fantastic but ooooowwwww. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/25 Full Review Christy L Compelling story about death and cultural rituals in an entirely different setting. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/27/25 Full Review Roy J The sexual assault plot is hard-hitting, but I also found the Zambia culture depicted in the movie to be very compelling. Glad A24 distributed this African movie in the US. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/11/25 Full Review Audience Member Watching On Becoming a Guinea Fowl was like being invited into a crescendoing howl—a piercing yet exquisite cry against silence. This African masterpiece isn't just cinema; it's visceral poetry, a simple yet devastating revelation of cultural truth woven masterfully through layers of absurdity, humor, and raw vulnerability. What makes this film an astonishing experience isn't merely its narrative prowess, but its masterful handling of perspective. Through multiple viewpoints, the movie gradually funnels you toward a singular, unavoidable truth—one that resonates with startling logic and profound empathy. Each frame pulses with authenticity, pulling us into a world where women grapple against the suffocating grip of a male-dominated society. The brilliance lies in its restraint: every moment you anticipate relief or resolution, the film gently yet ruthlessly reminds you of the relentless logic imposed by tradition, one that's skewed, oppressive, and heartbreakingly entrenched. It underscores the tragedy of generational silence, where women's voices are systematically muted by the old guard's relentless grip on power. Yet, amid its profound critique, the film manages to dance gracefully between laughter, reflection, and tears—achieving that rare trifecta that elevates storytelling to something transcendent. The humor isn't trivial but essential, illuminating absurdities that sharpen the film’s incisive social commentary. Ultimately, On Becoming a Guinea Fowl is more than a film; it is a scream—loud, unapologetic, necessary. It captures the raw, primal feeling of powerlessness transformed into a battle cry, a declaration that sometimes, shouting into the void is the sharpest blade one possesses. A stunning, emotional journey that's as enlightening as it is entertaining, this film is nothing short of a revelation. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/01/25 Full Review SkyRo P "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl," a 2025 foreign film release, has garnered a lot of praise from critics for its visually stunning cinematography. The initial setup of the film was promising, showcasing impressive filmmaking techniques. However, I found the writing to be quite perplexing, which led me to question whether it truly deserved a perfect score. The narrative felt underdeveloped, leaving me confused about the plot and its direction throughout the entire film. The lead actress's performance lacked the depth needed to convey her character's emotions convincingly, making it difficult for the audience to connect with her. While the film appears to celebrate cultural nuances, the storyline itself felt excessively fragmented and disjointed. In my opinion, the film was merely average, falling short of the high praise critics have given it. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/24/25 Full Review Carl M A movie only a critic can love. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 03/23/25 Full Review Read all reviews
On Becoming a Guinea Fowl

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Movie Info

Synopsis On an empty road in the middle of the night, Shula stumbles across the body of her uncle. As funeral proceedings begin around them, she and her cousins bring to light the buried secrets of their middle-class Zambian family, in filmmaker Rungano Nyoni's surreal and vibrant reckoning with the lies we tell ourselves.
Director
Rungano Nyoni
Producer
Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Tim Cole
Screenwriter
Rungano Nyoni
Distributor
A24
Production Co
A24, BBC Film, Element Pictures
Rating
PG-13 (Thematic Material|Sexual Abuse|Suggestive References|Some Drug Use)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 7, 2025, Limited
Runtime
1h 35m
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