Nappily Ever After

Violet Jones has built a life that looks flawless from the outside: a successful career, a steady relationship and hair she keeps carefully controlled. When a mishap at the salon disrupts that routine, she begins to question whether the life she has been living is the one she actually chose or the one others expected of her. Her search for something different brings her into contact with a warm-hearted barber and his daughter, and prompts her to reconsider what matters to her.

Based on Trisha R. Thomas's novel, the film is a romantic comedy-drama directed by Haifaa al-Mansour, released in September 2018. It follows Mary Shelley in the director's filmography and came before The Perfect Candidate; among the five features she has directed, it is her third. Sanaa Lathan stars as Violet, with Ricky Whittle, Ernie Hudson, Camille Guaty, Lyriq Bent and Lynn Whitfield in supporting roles. Lathan also produced alongside Tracey Bing and Jared LeBoff, and the screenplay is credited to Adam Brooks and Gina Prince-Bythewood. The cast numbers 52.

Viewer response is split but positive: on IMDb the film holds a 6.4 rating from 9,712 votes, while on TMDB it averages 7.2 from 840 votes. The two audiences agree it is a watchable, warmly received film, though the higher TMDB average from a much smaller group suggests its strongest support comes from a narrower viewership.