The Photograph

Play trailer

1:57

The Photograph

PG-13

2020

1h 46m

Romance

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

74%

Tomatometer

116 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Verified Ratings

The discovery of a hidden family photograph sends Mae Morton (Issa Rae) on a quest for answers. The journey into her estranged mother's past exposes many secrets and ignites a powerful, unexpected romance with rising-star journalist Michael Block (Lakeith Stanfield). Award-winning writer-director Stella Meghie (The Weekend, Jean of the Joneses) tells a sweeping love story about forgiveness and finding the courage to seek the truth, no matter where it leads you.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Gorgeous visuals, an affecting love story, and simmering chemistry between Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield keep The Photograph solidly in focus.

Read Critics Reviews

Ed Potton

The Times (UK)

03/10/2020

2/5

It's a beguiling combination at first, but the surrounding story is too clunky, the revelations too telegraphed.

Go to Full Review

Charlotte O'Sullivan

London Evening Standard

03/09/2020

3/5

Simply put, Michael and Mae don't get enough time to just be, though a sequel could fix that.

Go to Full Review

Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

03/09/2020

3/5

Luxuriantly sensual and unashamedly romantic, The Photograph is a cat's cradle of connecting love stories, spun across states, decades and continents.

Go to Full Review

James Profetto

Reel James (YouTube)

Jul 3

7/10

It really isn't unlike anything we've seen before, but Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield really make this film their own.

Go to Full Review

Marya E. Gates

Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack)

02/14/2025

Rae is a bit stiff in the role, unable to really imbue Mae with the kind of interiority this sort of role calls for (and can’t seem to craft much chemistry with Stanfield), but Adams and Noel in the past sequences light the screen on fire

Go to Full Review

Justin Brown

Medium Popcorn

02/05/2025

2/5

This was a nice film but the stakes were very low, which makes it a challenge to get through.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Kimberly J

04/25/2021

I Love Black Stories on screen.

See more

Jeanette D

04/06/2020

Started a little slow but it was a good movie

See more

Mark

03/22/2020

I liked that a woman went after what/who she wanted ....

See more

Elodie

03/21/2020

Best movie ever!! Must watch !

See more

Ericka M J

03/20/2020

The movie had potential but it just didnt ...

See more

davie huddleston

03/20/2020

Female movie. Did have some romance lines.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Stella Meghie

Director

Issa Rae

Mae

LaKeith Stanfield

Michael Block

Chanté Adams

Christina

Y'lan Noel

Young Isaac

Lil Rel Howery

Kyle

The Photograph: Official Clip - Double Flirting

2:10

Now Playing

The Photograph: Official Clip - Love, Together

1:50

Now Playing

The Photograph: Official Clip - Too Early to Kiss You?

2:22

Now Playing

The Photograph: Official Clip - Have You Ever Cheated?

2:47

Now Playing

The Photograph: Official Clip - Other Demands

2:12

Now Playing

The Photograph: Official Clip - The Art Exhibit

1:15

Now Playing

The Photograph: Official Clip - Echoes of Love

1:38

Now Playing

The Photograph: Official Clip - Long Distance Never Works

2:23

Now Playing

The Photograph: Official Clip - I Wanna Be with You

2:26

Now Playing

The Photograph: Official Clip - Why Should I Hire You?

1:02

Now Playing

View more videos

Midnight Sun

21%

57%

Midnight Sun

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Midnight Sun

After

18%

64%

After

Watchlist

TRAILER

for After

A Journal for Jordan

39%

95%

A Journal for Jordan

Watchlist

TRAILER

for A Journal for Jordan

It Ends With Us

55%

87%

It Ends With Us

Watchlist

TRAILER

for It Ends With Us

The Sun Is Also a Star

53%

60%

The Sun Is Also a Star

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Sun Is Also a Star

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The Photograph: Trailer 2

1:57

Now Playing

The Photograph: Trailer 1

2:28

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

The discovery of a hidden family photograph sends Mae Morton (Issa Rae) on a quest for answers. The journey into her estranged mother's past exposes many secrets and ignites a powerful, unexpected romance with rising-star journalist Michael Block (Lakeith Stanfield). Award-winning writer-director Stella Meghie (The Weekend, Jean of the Joneses) tells a sweeping love story about forgiveness and finding the courage to seek the truth, no matter where it leads you.

Director: Stella Meghie
Producer: Will Packer, James Lopez
Screenwriter: Stella Meghie
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Will Packer Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Sexuality|Brief Strong Language)
Genre: Romance, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 14, 2020, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 28, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.6M
Runtime: 1h 46m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings