Daniel Kaluuya and Kibwe Tavares’ sci-fi drama “The Kitchen” has become the third most-watched movie on Netflix worldwide, as of Jan. 22. The film achieved this feat in only four days after its premiere on the streamer.
Kaluuya and Tavares wrote the script of this movie which is set in a dystopian London city, where all social housing has been eliminated. The story follows Izi, who lives in The Kitchen, a housing project sequestered on the outskirts of the city in which the working-class and poor people live.
However, The Kitchen is a frequent target of brutal, violent police raids. While he is ready to leave, his plans change when he meets Benji, a recent orphaned kid who starts to befriend local vigilantes.
The Kitchen triumphs on Netflix thanks to glowing reviews
The film is third globally, only behind Kevin Hart’s “Lift” and the German boxing sports drama “Sixty Minutes.” It’s not surprising as the film has received positive reviews from critics since its premiere at the 67th BFI London Film Festival in October.
Writing for the New York Times, Jeannette Catsoulis praised the movie for Kaluuya and Tavares’ direction, which she called “sure and unfuzzy,” as well for the film’s humor and heart. It’s not an isolated opinion, as the film holds a score of 85% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Who stars in ‘The Kitchen’?
The movie stars Kane Robinson and Jedaiah Bannerman as Izi and Benji, with both actors receiving praise for their performances. The rest of the cast also includes Hope Ikpoku Jr, Henry Lawfull, Rasaq Kukoyi, Alan Asaad and BackRoad Gee.
Exploring themes of gentrification and the privatization of social housing (particularly in the UK), as well as marginalization, police brutality and more, the movie also ends up being a tale of a chosen family in difficult circumstances.
