American Fiction
Summary
Spoiler Warning : This clause contains spoiler to American Fiction .
American Fictionis the feature of speech - distance entry of author - director Cord Jefferson that adapts the 2001 Percival Everett novel , Erasure , with timbre actor who deliver stellar performance . Like the 2001 novel , American Fictioncenters around Thelonious " Monk " Ellison , a Black university prof with dream to become a respected novelist , who determine himself hale to choose between write novels that he conceive in but does n’t betray , or writing a fair novel fill up with electronegative stereotype pertaining to Black people , since that ’s what every literary agency is looking for .
American Fictionis one ofJeffrey Wright ’s good pic , as it cleverly blends its absurd temper with enough family drama to give the celluloid plenty of centre beyond its already compelling premise . Although there are other qualitymovies likeAmerican Fiction , the 2023 clowning firmly distinguishes itself from the rest thanks largely to its superb cast and well - write characters . While Monk is an intersting study regarding the riddle that many Black creatives confront , his family and professional colleagues aid give the moving picture different perspectivesfor Monk and the audience to consider .
American Fiction has been nominated for five Oscars , and with many motion picture fans now wanting to watch the moving picture , here ’s where you’re able to find it .
Jeffrey Wright as Thelonius “Monk” Ellison
Monk uses his frustrations with the literary industry to write an accidental masterpiece.
Actor : Jeffrey Wright , 58 , is an American character histrion who began his career in film with a small role in the 1990 film , Presumed Innocent , and has since gone on to asterisk in plenty of respected independent project as well as big budget Hollywood blockbuster . As one of the industry ’s most fecund character actors , Wright has developed a reputation for being able to act as anything from low - storey street goons to historical figures , to one of 007 ’s most trust ally , to one of thebest word-painting of Jim Gordon .
Notable Movies & TV appearance : Basquiat(1996),Shaft(2000),Broken Flowers(2005),Casino Royale(2006),Cadillac Records(2009),Boardwalk Empire(2013 - 2014),Westworld(2016 - 2022),The Gallic Dispatch(2021 ) , andThe Batman(2022 )
Character : Thelonious " Monk " Ellison is an austere university professorwho works part - time toward his dream calling as a novelist . Despite his adept effort , Monk find himself forced to write a debasing novel titled , My Pafology , that tend heavily into negative stereotypes regarding the African - American community . A man of warm rule , Monk often force those stuffy to him away when their ideology do n’t align , but he gradually learn to temper his expectation of himself , the literary world , and his loved ones .
Tracee Ellis Ross as Lisa Ellison
Lisa is Monk’s abrasive yet insightful sister.
Actor : Tracee Ellis Ross , 51 , is an American actress whose breakout role come via the American sitcom , Girlfriends . Although primarily known for her comedic study , Ross has star or featured in many TV shows , film , and euphony videosportraying women of various backgrounds and disposition , thus highlighting her range and eclectic elan . In addition to her employment as an actress , Ross is also eff for her produce efforts ; often helping woman of color get their labor off the land .
Notable Movies & TV display : Daddy ’s Little Girls(2007),Girlfriends(2000 - 2008),Black - ish(2014 - 2022),Grown - ish(2018 - 2022 ) , andMixed - ish(2019 - 2021 )
Character : Lisa is a doc and Monk ’s sister , and despite her and Monk ’s personalities being completely different , they bond together much more than Monk does with his pal Cliff . what is more , in spite of Lisa ’s extroverted personality and company - girl sensitiveness , she ’s often the voice of reason when helping the family steady down disputes . Although her blind time is limit via her sudden death , Lisa ’s insightful point of view regarding Monk ’s predicament stick with him and aid him feel less unfit about his situation .
Based on the novel by Percival Everett, American Fiction is a drama film that stars Jeffrey Wright as author and English Professor Thelonious “Monk” Ellison. With his students lacking cultural sensitivity and publishers rejecting his novels, believing them not to be “Black enough,” Monk returns to his hometown where he witnesses a new young Black author who has created an instant best seller. As he attempts to ignore the success of another, he reunites with his family, where tragedy and chaos begin to consume them.
Issa Rae as Sintara Golden
Sintara is a well-respected writer in the literary world.
Actor : Issa Rae , 39 , is an American actress who first burst onto the amusement prospect with her YouTube series , Awkward Black Girl , and has since gone on to broadly develop it into a TV serial publication among a drawing string of other famous labor . Known chiefly for herability to blend comedy and wittiness , Rae has established herself as one of the diligence ’s funniest women while also exhibit an unbelievable range with more provocative and dramatic role .
Notable Movies & TV show : The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl(2013 - 2014),Insecure(2016 - 2022),The Hate You Give , ( 2018),Little(2019),The Photograph(2020),Barbie(2023 ) , andSpider - Man : Across the SpiderVerse(2023 )
reference : Sintara Golden is a fellow writer inAmerican Fictionwho is perhapsbest known for her award - winning novel , We ’s Lives in da Ghetto . Despite its discipline covered , Sintara displays an keen gumption of ego - awareness in her personal life and even further Monk to reassess his spirit about the industry as it will at long last help oneself him put down a lot of his luggage . While Sintara and Monk do n’t always see heart - to - centre on matter relate to race , Monk does acknowledge her skill as a writer despite how much it pains him to do so .
Sterling K. Brown as Clifford “Cliff” Ellison
Cliff is Monk’s reckless yet supportive brother.
doer : Sterling K. Brown , 47 , is an American actor who made his feature film - distance debut in the romantic comedy , Brown Sugar , starring Taye Diggs and Sanaa Lathan . Since then , Brown has gone on to pick up roles in various bighearted budget and smaller ordered series movie , TV show , and euphony videos , and has even lent his voice to a few animated projects , thus showcasing his range . Despite being a Primetime Emmy winner , Brown still displays his chemical attraction for small projects as see withAmerican Fiction .
Notable Movies & TV Shows : The citizenry v. O. J. Simpson : American Crime Story(2016),This Is Us(2016 - 2022),Black Panther(2018),Frozen II(2019 ) , andInvincible(2023 )
Character : Cliff is Monk and Lisa ’s surgeon brother who , despite the issues in the fellowship , is wrestling with his own drug problems and intimate identity . Nevertheless , Cliff insure the good in mass and , despite Monk ’s rocky outside , is always unforced to lend words of encouragementto uplift him when he ’s at his lowest . Even when Monk and Coraline experience issues in their human relationship , Cliff is the first one to help oneself Monk forgive himself for his late outbursts , thus helping his brother work toward mending things with Coraline .
Erika Alexander as Coraline
Coraline helps Monk come to terms with his predicament.
doer : Erika Alexander , 54 , is an American actress who start out her career in the 1986 cinema , My Little Girl , as Joan . From there , Alexander has influence her way through both film and television with notable appearances in both well - known labor and humble , more obscure movies and idiot box shows . Furthermore , Alexander ’s abilities as a character actresshave examine her seamlessly pitch warm operation in a diverse number of projects ranging from psychological thriller and dramas to gut - burst comedies and feel - good situation comedy .
Notable Movies & TV Shows : Living Single(1993 - 1998),Déjà Vu(2006),Get Out(2017),Law & Order(1990),Bosch(2016 - 2017),Insecure(2018),Black Lightning(2018 - 2019 ) , andWu - Tang : An American Saga(2019 - 2023 )
case : As an lawyer , Coraline is one of the more level - headed characters inAmerican Fiction , working as a thoroughgoing line to the more emotional Monk . Moreover , Coraline is a resolute woman who does n’t hesitate to let Monk know when he ’s acting out of term , thus leading to them take aim a respite near the flick ’s coming . Nevertheless , Coraline is unforced to give Monk another chance and even pass away as far as to help him discover his female parent when she ’s found swan around the beach .
Leslie Alexander as Agnes Ellison
Agnes is the matriarch of the Ellison family.
histrion : Leslie Uggams , 80 , is an American actress who is perhaps the most experienced doer inAmerican Fiction , having started her film career before most of the film ’s worker were even bear . In addition to her fecund oeuvre as a character actress , Uggams has also revel succeeder as a recording artist , recording record for Columbia , Atlantic , and Motown , among many others . Despite Uggams ’s years , she still preserve herself busy with many supporting roles in both film and TV .
Notable Movies & TV Shows : Roots(1977),Sugar Hill(1993),Deadpool(2016),Deadpool 2(2018),Magnum P.I.(1987),Empire(2016 - 2020),Deadpool 3(2024 ) , andFallout(2024 )
Character : Agnes is Monk ’s mother and the materfamilias of the household . She ’s snarky and a small sharp - tongued with her children , but she genuinely loves them categorically . However , as her memory protrude to get uneven and the cognitive downslope of age sets in , Monk steps in to care for her .
John Ortiz as Arthur
Arthur is Monk’s slightly unscrupulous agent.
Actor : John Ortiz , 54 , is an American character worker known for hisability to play any role with keen attention - to - detail , thus making him one of the industry ’s most in - requirement actors . From small roles in TV police procedurals to modest Hollywood moving picture success , Ortiz has demonstrated an faultless work ethic for a fiddling over three decade , and has solidify himself as one of the most talented artists in the manufacture .
Notable Movies & TV Shows : Law & Order(1992),Carlito ’s Way(1993),Amistad(1997),Miami Vice(2006),American Gangster(2007),Public Enemies(2009),Fast & Furious(2009),Silver Linings Playbook(2012),César Chávez(2014 ) , andBumblebee(2018 )
Character : Arthur is Monk ’s agent and the closest thing to a friend that he has outside his category . While Arthur understands Monk ’s moral hangups regarding the type of work he ’s expected to write , he gradually convert Monk to set aside his pride , asMy Pafologypresents a rare chance for bothmen to better instal themselves in the literary world . In addition to his professional relationship with Monk , Arthur offers him solicit advice regarding his family , thus demonstrating that he genuinely manage about Monk .
Adam Brody as Wiley Valdespino
Wiley is a woke filmmaker who ardently believes he’s creating a special movie.
Actor : Adamy Brody , 44 , is an American actor best have sex for his fecund work in tv set . While the actor has grow a respectable resume in the film world , he ’s more recognisable to most for his work in TV after the succeeder of the democratic serial publication , The O.C.Nevertheless , Brody has demonstrated his orbit in movies , as his survey demonstrates his power to deal legal action , dramatic event , and revulsion with a flare apt for one of the industry ’s best character actors .
Notable Movies & TV show : The Ring(2002),The O.C.(2003 - 2007),Mr . & Mrs. Smith(2005),Jennifer ’s Body(2009),Shazam!(2019 ) , andScream(2022 )
grapheme : Wiley Valdespino is a well - meaning theatre director who can best be describe as being right smart in over his header . Despite Monk ’s efforts to convince Wiley thatMy Pafologyis a fearful mind for a ledger to adapt , Wiley insists that it ’s the kind of movie audience necessitate to see due to its timeliness . In cattiness of Wiley ’s cluelessness regarding Monk ’s design withMy Pafology , he does demonstrate a solemn work ethic regarding the movie adaptation ofMy Pafology , as show when he and Monk test out multiple conclusion to see they make the best movie possible .
Based on the novel by Percival Everett, American Fiction is a drama film that stars Jeffrey Wright as author and English Professor Thelonious “Monk” Ellison. With his students lacking cultural sensitivity and publishers rejecting his novels, believing them not to be “Black enough,” Monk returns to his hometown where he witnesses a new young Black author who has created an instant best seller. As he attempts to ignore the success of another, he reunites with his family, where tragedy and chaos begin to consume them.
American Fiction Supporting Cast & Characters
Keith David as Willy the Wonker- Known principally for his voice - over work as Spawn in the HBO aminated seriesSpawn(1997 - 1999 ) and as Goliath inGargoyles(1994 - 1997 ) , David has also appeared in movies such asThe Thing(1982),Platoon(1986 ) , andThey Live(1988 ) , thus solidifying himself as a various actor and articulation - worker . Although his scene is abbreviated alongside Okieriete " Oak " Onaodowan , it is subservient in aid the audience see how absurdMy Pafologytruly is .
Okieriete"Oak"Onaodowan as Van Go Jenkins- play alongside David in theMy Pafologyscene , Onaodowan plays Van Go Jenkins , a gangster who , despite his gravelly exterior , wishes that his absentee father would have played a more all important office in his upbringing . A theater actor , Onaodowan is well known for portraying threefold roles inHamilton , as Hercules Mulligan and James Madison alongside Lin Manuel Miranda .
Myra Lucretia Taylor as Lorraine - An realized singer and actress , Taylor is a Tony Award - nominated actress notable for her oeuvre in the Broadway musical , Tina , in addition to her character study in picture show and boob tube . As the Ellison family ’s maid Lorraine , Taylor delivers a heartfelt performance that reinforce the estimate of hold fear of one ’s elders in their greatest metre of motivation , as demonstrated when she helps Monk , Cliff , and Coraline find the missing Agnes near the picture ’s climax .
Raymond Anthony Thomas as Maynard- Arguably one of the most prolific grapheme actors inAmerican Fiction , Thomas began his vocation in the 1986 moving picture , The Whoopee Boys , in a turn part before accrue more prominent digest function in film and television set present likeJacob ’s LadderandShutter Island . Thomas plays Maynard , a security officeholder and household friend of the Ellison family . In addition to his perpetually optimistic outlook on life , Maynard and Lorraine marry , thus prompting Monk to reassess his feelings about union and commitment .
Miriam Shor as Paula Baderman- Miriam Shor star inAmerican Fictionas Paula , one of the literary broker interested in Monk ’s novel , My Pafology , even pop off so far as tooffer him a $ 5 million dealto purchase the right for a movie adaptation . Shor ’s oeuvre extends as far back as 1999 with roles inEntropy , Bioshock , Jessica Jones , andGuardian ' of the Galaxy Vol . 3 .
Cast
Based on the novel by Percival Everett , American Fiction is a dramatic event moving picture that star Jeffrey Wright as author and English Professor Thelonious " Monk " Ellison . With his students lacking ethnical sensitiveness and publisher turn down his novel , believing them not to be " Black enough , " Monk returns to his hometown where he witnesses a new untried Black source who has created an instantaneous best marketer . As he attempts to ignore the succeeder of another , he reunites with his family , where tragedy and chaos begin to consume them .
