Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Drama

The Obituary of Tunde Johnson (2021): Cast & Ratings

The Obituary of Tunde Johnson (2021) movie poster

The Obituary of Tunde Johnson is a 2021 drama directed by Ali LeRoi, starring David James Elliott, Nicola Peltz and Shoniqua Shandai. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes. Critics gave it 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10.

IMDb rating
5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
95%
Echo Score
85
Metascore
58
Loading streaming availability…
The Obituary of Tunde Johnson (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Director
Ali LeRoi
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Obituary of Tunde Johnson About?

The premise of The Obituary of Tunde Johnson without spoilers.

After a tragic and unexpected death at the hands of the police, a young man finds himself inexplicably reliving the same night repeatedly. As Tunde Johnson is forced to confront his final moments over and over, he begins a journey of self-discovery, grappling with his privilege and the circumstances surrounding his death. He must unravel the events leading to his fate and search for a way to break the cycle.

The Obituary of Tunde Johnson Themes & Keywords

· 7 tags
  • gay interest
  • death
  • time loop
  • gay kiss
  • gay
  • character name in title
  • five word title
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

The Obituary of Tunde Johnson Cast

David James Elliott leads the cast, with Nicola Peltz and Shoniqua Shandai. Directed by Ali LeRoi; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Ali LeRoi

More films directed by Ali LeRoi: Lil Rel Howery: I Said It. Y’all Thinking It., American Refugee and The Obituary of Tunde Johnson.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Obituary of Tunde Johnson Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Obituary of Tunde Johnson 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in story & flow (70).

85 /100

The Obituary of Tunde Johnson Echo Score Breakdown

The Obituary of Tunde Johnson delivers a compelling and visually engaging exploration of identity and systemic injustice. The film’s fusion of a time-loop structure with urgent social themes generates sustained interest, while its bold execution imbues each repetition with fresh emotional weight. Though its pacing occasionally feels uneven, the vivid characterizations and provocative narrative choices maintain a high level of engagement throughout. Overall, the film’s strong thematic resonance and inventive approach leave a lasting impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits confident direction and expressive visual framing. The time-loop repetitions allow for inventive production design variations, and the editing underscores the cyclical structure effectively even if the length sometimes feels sprawling. The measured use of camera movement and color shifts contributes to a cohesive aesthetic that largely supports the narrative.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film excels in presenting nuanced performances and well-defined character arcs. The protagonist’s portrayal conveys a rich blend of vulnerability and determination, and the supporting cast reinforces the emotional stakes. The depth of interpersonal dynamics sustains audience investment, resulting in a resonant depiction of identity and resilience.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of story and flow, the film’s innovative adaptation of the time-loop concept offers thought-provoking twists on a familiar framework. The narrative builds momentum through successive iterations, though occasional structural digressions introduce uneven pacing. Despite these moments of scattershot development, the core plot remains engaging and thematically coherent throughout.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    Regarding sensory experience, the film’s sound design and score enhance the emotional intensity of key moments, while the visual style employs an understated color palette that underscores the narrative’s urgency. Occasional tonal shifts between realism and heightened sequences are handled with clarity, resulting in an immersive audiovisual presentation that supports the film’s thematic weight.

  • Rewatch Factor 90

    When assessing rewatch factor, the film’s layered themes and structural complexity reward repeated viewings. Each pass reveals nuanced variations in performance and visual detail, deepening appreciation for the film’s social commentary and character evolution. The provocative interplay between repetition and change sustains interest over multiple viewings, making it a compelling choice for re-examination.

Seen The Obituary of Tunde Johnson?

FAQ

The Obituary of Tunde Johnson FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Obituary of Tunde Johnson, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Obituary of Tunde Johnson?

The Obituary of Tunde Johnson runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was The Obituary of Tunde Johnson released?

The Obituary of Tunde Johnson was released on February 26, 2021.

Who directed The Obituary of Tunde Johnson?

The Obituary of Tunde Johnson was directed by Ali LeRoi.

More films by Ali LeRoi

Who is in the cast of The Obituary of Tunde Johnson?

The Obituary of Tunde Johnson stars David James Elliott, Nicola Peltz and Shoniqua Shandai, among 10 credited actors.

How is The Obituary of Tunde Johnson rated?

The Obituary of Tunde Johnson has 5.7/10 on IMDb, 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 58 on Metacritic and 3.0/5 on Movie Insider.

Does The Obituary of Tunde Johnson have a post-credit scene?

No. The Obituary of Tunde Johnson has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app