Netflix is certainly spreading the love and acceptance this year, and it will continue in their latest Original film, Nappily Ever After, which stars Sanaa Lathan with her character finding her identity through her journey with her hair.
Based on the novel of the same name by Trisha R Thomas, Nappily Ever After follows Violet Jones (Sanaa Lathan) who has a seemingly perfect life — a high-powered job, an eligible doctor boyfriend, and a meticulously maintained, flawless coiffure. But after a life-changing event doesn’t go according to her plan, and a hair-raising incident at the hairdresser, her life begins to unravel. “I’ve worked so hard to be perfect,” she laments in the trailer. “And it still wasn’t enough.” Eventually, Violet realises that she was living the life she thought she was supposed to live, not the one she really wanted.
The novel was almost adapted 15 years ago with Patricia Cardoso, known for Real Women Have Curves, set to direct. Halle Berry was set to star in the lead role, however, the film obviously didn’t go ahead and now the first instalment from Trisha R. Thomas’ eight-book series will be now heading to Netflix.
“It’s about a woman who learns how to love herself, how to love her hair, and to embrace who she is,” director Haifaa Al-Mansour told EW in an interview. “It’s such an amazing, warm story.”
The film stars Sanaa Lathan (The Affair), Ricky Whittle (American Gods), Lyriq Bent (She’s Gotta Have It), Ernie Hudson (Grace and Frankie), and Lynn Whitfield (Greenleaf). Lathan also serves as a producer alongside Tracey Bing (Prospect), Jared LeBoff (The Girl On The Train), and Marc Platt (La La Land). Directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour (Mary Shelley), and written by Adam Brooks (Impostors) and Cee Marcellus.
If you want to check out the novel, you can find it on Goodreads with it available to purchase from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.
Nappily Ever After is now available internationally on Netflix.
