Watch The Obituary of Tunde Johnson

The Obituary of Tunde Johnson is a compelling drama that explores the complexities of sexuality, race, and identity in modern-day America. The movie revolves around Tunde Johnson, a young, wealthy, and successful African-American student who is living the American dream. He is a high school senior who has a bright future ahead of him. However, his life takes a dark turn when he is shot to death by a police officer in a case of mistaken identity.

As Tunde lies dying on the pavement, he repeatedly relives the same day over and over again. Each time, he wakes up to another day, only to face the same tragic fate at the hands of the police. Tunde's repeated deaths become a vortex of never-ending pain and suffering, and it seems that he can never break free from this vicious cycle.

As Tunde struggles to understand the events that led to his untimely death, he also grapples with his own sexuality. He is secretly gay but cannot share his truth with the people around him, including his parents and his girlfriend. His struggle with his sexuality is juxtaposed against his struggle to survive in a world that is hostile to people of color.

Steven Silver delivers an excellent performance as Tunde, bringing to life the fears, anxieties, and hopes of a young man caught in the crosshairs of racism and homophobia. He is tasked with carrying the movie's weight, and he does so with aplomb. His nuanced performance gives the audience a glimpse into the heart and soul of a young man trying to find his place in the world.

Spencer Neville also delivers a solid performance as Soren, Tunde's love interest. He plays the role with sensitivity, vulnerability, and conviction. The chemistry between Silver and Neville is palpable, and their scenes together are some of the movie's most poignant moments.

Nicola Peltz Beckham rounds out the cast as Marley, Tunde's girlfriend. She plays the role with aplomb, bringing a dynamism and depth to the character that could have easily been one-dimensional. Her performance is nuanced and layered, and she manages to hold her own against Silver and Neville.

The Obituary of Tunde Johnson is a heart-wrenching movie that tackles difficult themes with grace and sensitivity. The movie's subject matter is heavy, and it takes a toll on the audience. However, the director, Ali LeRoi, handles the material with deftness and skill, never resorting to cheap melodrama or sentimentality.

LeRoi uses a non-linear structure to tell Tunde's story, jumping back and forth in time to reveal how the events that led to his death unfolded. This structure enables the audience to see Tunde's life from multiple perspectives, taking in his relationships with his parents, his girlfriend, and his friends. It highlights the duality of his existence, caught between conflicting worlds that he cannot reconcile.

The movie's cinematography is stunning, immersing the audience in Tunde's world while also keeping a distance. The camera movements are fluid and naturalistic, drawing the viewer in and then pulling away, leaving them with a sense of longing and uncertainty.

The Obituary of Tunde Johnson is an important movie that sheds a light on the struggles faced by people of color and the LGBTQ+ community. It is a haunting and powerful piece of cinema that will leave an indelible impression on anyone who watches it.

The Obituary of Tunde Johnson is a 2021 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7 and a MetaScore of 58.