The Problem of the Hero

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1:34

The Problem of the Hero

2023

1h 24m

Drama

History

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Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

14 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

In March of 1941, at the St. James Theatre in New York, two 20th century literary giants, ground breaking author Richard Wright and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Green collaborate to adapt Wright's best-selling book, Native Son, into a Broadway play. Days from opening night, they differ over a single page of the script. The difference of opinion evolves into a spirited contention over issues of race, social justice, politics, and personal and creative agency. The argument threatens to dissolve their friendship.

Victoria Luxford

D Movies

05/12/2025

4/5

It’s not perfect from a cinematic perspective... However, as a theological discussion committed to film, The Problem Of The Hero leaves an impression that will last for days after watching.

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Emilie Black

Cinema Crazed

04/07/2025

The Problem with the Hero is a decent film that ends up being a bit frustrating as it never seems to elevate itself beyond something decent, beyond a passable film that folks will watch at random and forget within a day.

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Pramit Chatterjee

Digital Mafia Talkies

03/31/2025

4.5/5

The way Shaun Dozier, along with cinematographer Steve Milligan and production designer Kendra Archer, explores every nook and cranny of a theater and uses those places to create dynamic backdrops for its dialogue-heavy scenes is simply brilliant.

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Amber Wilkinson

Eye for Film

03/30/2025

3.5/5

The film, directed by feature debutant Shaun Dozier, retains the density of dialogue you might expect from a stage play but, by leaning into the theatrical nature of the proceedings, Dozier is in some ways able to make this into a virtue.

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Vassilis Kroustallis

High on Films

03/27/2025

60/100

Far from a flawless film (some of the scenes border on the repetitive), ‘The Problem of Hero’ is never an uninteresting film and tunes in to offer a spectrum of options on marginalized identities and their literary/cinematic treatment.

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Victor Pineyro

Seventh Art Studio

03/24/2025

8/10

A sharp, intimate drama about creative control and racial identity. Set in one night at a theater, it explores privilege, authorship, and respect through gripping dialogue and stellar performances. [Full review in Spanish]

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Shaun Dozier

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J. Mardrice Henderson

Richard Wright

David Zum Brunnen

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The Problem of the Hero: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In March of 1941, at the St. James Theatre in New York, two 20th century literary giants, ground breaking author Richard Wright and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Green collaborate to adapt Wright's best-selling book, Native Son, into a Broadway play. Days from opening night, they differ over a single page of the script. The difference of opinion evolves into a spirited contention over issues of race, social justice, politics, and personal and creative agency. The argument threatens to dissolve their friendship.

Director: Shaun Dozier
Producer: Ayana Johnson
Screenwriter: James A. Hodge, Ian Finley, James A. Hodge, Ian Finley
Distributor: Buffalo 8
Production Co: EbzB Productions
Genre: Drama, History
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 28, 2025
Runtime: 1h 24m