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The Photograph

Play trailer 1:57 Poster for The Photograph PG-13 2020 1h 46m Romance Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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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The Photograph

The Photograph

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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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Critics Reviews

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Ed Potton The Times (UK) 03/10/2020
2/5
It's a beguiling combination at first, but the surrounding story is too clunky, the revelations too telegraphed. Go to Full Review Charlotte O'Sullivan London Evening Standard 03/09/2020
3/5
Simply put, Michael and Mae don't get enough time to just be, though a sequel could fix that. Go to Full Review Wendy Ide Observer (UK) 03/09/2020
3/5
Luxuriantly sensual and unashamedly romantic, The Photograph is a cat's cradle of connecting love stories, spun across states, decades and continents. Go to Full Review James Profetto Reel James (YouTube) Jul 3
7/10
It really isn't unlike anything we've seen before, but Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield really make this film their own. Go to Full Review Marya E. Gates Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack) 02/14/2025
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 Go to Full Review Justin Brown Medium Popcorn 02/05/2025
2/5
This was a nice film but the stakes were very low, which makes it a challenge to get through. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Kimberly J 04/25/2021 I Love Black Stories on screen. See more Jeanette D 04/06/2020 Started a little slow but it was a good movie See more Mark 03/22/2020 I liked that a woman went after what/who she wanted .... See more Elodie 03/21/2020 Best movie ever!! Must watch ! See more Ericka M J 03/20/2020 The movie had potential but it just didnt ... See more davie huddleston 03/20/2020 Female movie. Did have some romance lines. See more Read all reviews
The Photograph

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Cast & Crew

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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

Movie Clips

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The Photograph

The Photograph: Official Clip - Double Flirting The Photograph: Official Clip - Double Flirting 2:10 The Photograph: Official Clip - Love, Together The Photograph: Official Clip - Love, Together 1:50 The Photograph: Official Clip - Too Early to Kiss You? The Photograph: Official Clip - Too Early to Kiss You? 2:22 The Photograph: Official Clip - Have You Ever Cheated? The Photograph: Official Clip - Have You Ever Cheated? 2:47 The Photograph: Official Clip - Other Demands The Photograph: Official Clip - Other Demands 2:12 The Photograph: Official Clip - The Art Exhibit The Photograph: Official Clip - The Art Exhibit 1:15 The Photograph: Official Clip - Echoes of Love The Photograph: Official Clip - Echoes of Love 1:38 The Photograph: Official Clip - Long Distance Never Works The Photograph: Official Clip - Long Distance Never Works 2:23 The Photograph: Official Clip - I Wanna Be with You The Photograph: Official Clip - I Wanna Be with You 2:26 The Photograph: Official Clip - Why Should I Hire You? The Photograph: Official Clip - Why Should I Hire You? 1:02 View more videos

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The Photograph

The Photograph: Trailer 2 The Photograph: Trailer 2 1:57 The Photograph: Trailer 1 The Photograph: Trailer 1 2:28 View more videos
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The Photograph

The Photograph (2020) View more photos

Movie Info

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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