We Grown Now

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We Grown Now
We Grown Now poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Minhal Baig
Written byMinhal Baig
Produced by
  • Minhal Baig
  • Joe Pirro
Starring
CinematographyPat Scola
Edited byStephanie Filo
Music by Jay Wadley
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • September 8, 2023 (2023-09-08)(TIFF)
  • April 19, 2024 (2024-04-19)(United States)
Running time
93 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$296,535 [1] [2]

We Grown Now is a 2023 American drama film written, directed and co-produced by Minhal Baig. It stars Blake Cameron James, Gian Knight Ramirez, S. Epatha Merkerson, Avery Holliday, Ora Jones, Lil Rel Howery and Jurnee Smollett.

Contents

We Grown Now had its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2023. The film was released in select cinemas in the United States on April 19, 2024, by Sony Pictures Classics and Stage 6 Films.

Premise

Best friends Malik and Eric come of age in the Cabrini-Green housing complex in the early 1990s.

Cast

Production

In May 2022, it was announced Minhal Baig would write and direct the film, with principal photography commencing in and around Chicago. [3]

Release

We Grown Now had its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2023. [4]

On October 4, 2023, Sony Pictures Classics acquired distribution rights to the film. It had a limited theatrical release in the United States on April 19, 2024. [5] [6]

Reception

Box office

We Grown Now grossed $35,344 from 9 theatres during its opening weekend in the United States. [1]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 93% of 73 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.9/10.The website's consensus reads: "Casting grim environs in a nostalgic glow, We Grown Now is a coming-of-age story whose tinges of fantasy only make it feel more honest." [7] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 76 out of 100, based on 21 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. [8]

Accolades

At the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, the film was the winner of the Changemaker Award. [9] The film also won the Audience Choice Award for Best U.S. Feature at the 2023 Chicago International Film Festival. [10] In 2025 received a nomination at the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Independent Motion Picture. [11]

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References

  1. 1 2 "We Grown Now (2023)". Box Office Mojo . IMDb . Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  2. ↑ "We Grown Now (2024)". The Numbers . Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Sundance Vet and Netflix Writer Minhal Baig to Direct 'We Grown Now' in Chicago". Screen . May 3, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  4. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 10, 2023). "TIFF Unveils World Premieres For Jenna Ortega Pic 'Finestkind', Awkwafina & Sandra Oh Comedy 'Quiz Lady'; Announces Centerpiece Program". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  5. ↑ D’Alessandro, Anthony (October 4, 2023). "Sony Pictures Classics Picks Up Minhal Baig's TIFF Premiere 'We Grown Now'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  6. ↑ Bergeson, Samantha (January 31, 2024). "'We Grown Now' Trailer: Jurnee Smollett and Lil Rel Howery Star in the Acclaimed Spirit-Nominated Indie". IndieWire . Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  7. ↑ "We Grown Now". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  8. ↑ "We Grown Now". Metacritic . Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  9. ↑ Zilko, Christian (September 17, 2023). "'American Fiction' Wins People's Choice Award at 2023 TIFF (Complete Winners List)". IndieWire. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Festival Award Winners". Cinema Chicago. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  11. ↑ Jackson, Angelique (January 7, 2025). "NAACP Image Awards: Ayo Edebiri, Keke Palmer, GloRilla, 'The Piano Lesson' and 'Fight Night' Lead Nominations". Variety . Retrieved January 7, 2025.
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