Neon has given a prime release date to its Cannes breakout drama “Clarissa,” a reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs. Dalloway” set in modern-day Lagos, and is debuting new images from the critically acclaimed movie, Variety can exclusively reveal.

The second feature from twin-brother directing duo Arie and Chuko Esiri, following their debut “Eyimofe (This Is My Desire),” will open in select theaters on Dec. 11.

“Clarissa” premiered in the Directors’ Fortnight section of the Cannes Film Festival, becoming just the second Nigerian feature ever selected in the festival’s history. Glowing reviews followed quickly, including from Jessica Kiang for Variety, who found that Woolf’s interior epic survives and thrives in its move from London to Lagos, placing “a superb Sophie Okonedo, radiant with melancholy” at the heart of a remarkably well-cast ensemble.

Shot entirely in Nigeria, “Clarissa” relocates Woolf’s single-day London narrative to a contemporary African metropolis. The story centers on Clarissa, a society woman preparing to host a party at her Lagos home, where she unexpectedly reunites with once-intimate friends from her youth. Across a single night, the group revisits a shared past, surfacing memories of passionate love, hidden desire and lost ambition that build toward a bittersweet reckoning.

At the heart of the film is a pair of performances dividing the title role across the decades. Academy Award nominee Sophie Okonedo (“Hotel Rwanda”) and breakout star India Amarteifio (Netflix’s “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story”) each play Clarissa at different points in her life, and both have drawn standout notices.

The surrounding ensemble, assembled by recent Academy Award-nominated casting director Nina Gold, features Golden Globe nominee David Oyelowo, Emmy winner Ayo Edebiri and Emmy nominee Toheeb Jimoh, among others.

The Esiri brothers directed the film based on a screenplay by Chuko. Per Capita Production’s Theresa Park and Invention Studio’s Nicholas Weinstock produced alongside the directors. Notable artisans include cinematographer Jonathan Bloom, editor Blair McClendon (“Aftersun”), composer Kelsey Lu, costume designer Eniola Dawodu and production designer Hanrui Wang.

The film rounds out a strong 2026 for Neon, which has won best picture twice in the last seven years, with Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite” (2019) and Sean Baker’s “Anora” (2024). Its slate includes the recently announced Luca Guadagnino drama “Artificial” with Andrew Garfield, in addition to Cristian Mungiu’s Palme d’Or winner “Fjord,” James Gray’s “Paper Tiger” and Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s “All of a Sudden,” the double-best actress prize winner at Cannes.

The studio is also coming off a strong showing at the 98th Academy Awards earlier this year, where it landed best picture nominations for two non-English-language films. The Norwegian drama “Sentimental Value” went on to win the best international feature award, while the Brazilian thriller “The Secret Agent” also competed in the top category.

The December date plants “Clarissa” in the center of awards season, handing Neon another contender.