The Photograph

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The Photograph

PG-13

2020

1h 46m

Romance

Drama

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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.

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Critics Consensus

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

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Ed Potton

The Times (UK)

Mar 10, 2020

2/5

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

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Charlotte O'Sullivan

London Evening Standard

Mar 9, 2020

3/5

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

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Mar 9, 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.

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James Profetto

Reel James (YouTube)

Jul 3, 2026

7/10

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

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Marya E. Gates

Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack)

Feb 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

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Justin Brown

Medium Popcorn

Feb 5, 2025

2/5

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

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Kimberly J

Apr 25, 2021

I Love Black Stories on screen.

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Jeanette D

Apr 6, 2020

Started a little slow but it was a good movie

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Mark

Mar 22, 2020

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

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Elodie

Mar 21, 2020

Best movie ever!! Must watch !

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Ericka M J

Mar 20, 2020

The movie had potential but it just didnt ...

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davie huddleston

Mar 20, 2020

Female movie. Did have some romance lines.

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Stella Meghie

Director

Issa Rae

Mae

LaKeith Stanfield

Michael Block

Chanté Adams

Christina

Y'lan Noel

Young Isaac

Lil Rel Howery

Kyle

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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)

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