The Kitchen

The Kitchen is set in a near-future London where social housing has been dismantled, and a community called the Kitchen refuses to give up its home. At the centre of the story is Izi, who is on the verge of leaving the estate for good. His plans are unsettled by the arrival of Benji, a young boy, and the two are drawn into a struggle over what it means to stay or go.

The film is the feature directing debut of Daniel Kaluuya and Kibwe Tavares. Kaluuya also wrote the screenplay with Joe Murtagh and produced alongside Daniel Emmerson. Kane Robinson plays Izi, with Jedaiah Bannerman as Benji; the cast includes Hope Ikpoku Jnr, Teija Kabs, Demmy Ladipo and Cristale, among roughly thirty credited performers.

Released in October 2023, the film blends adventure, comedy, drama, science fiction and thriller elements across its 109-minute running time. It was produced in the United Kingdom and the United States by Film4 Productions, DMC Film, 59% and Factory Fifteen. On IMDb, voters rate it 4.8 out of 10 from about 9,000 votes, and on TMDB it also sits at 4.8 from around 200 votes. A critics' score of 6.6 from 66 reviews places it above the audience ratings.