Angie Thomas’s popular novel On the Come Up has made its leap from page to screen, debuting on September 23 as a new film adaptation. Originally planned for exclusive streaming on Paramount+, the studio later announced a simultaneous limited theatrical release in the top 50 U.S. markets alongside streaming in the U.S., Canada, and Italy, with more countries to follow. The film’s launch was buoyed by a strong reception at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The screenplay was written by Kay Oyegun, known for her work on This Is Us, while On the Come Up marks Sanaa Lathan’s first time directing a feature film. Lathan also stars as Jayda “Jay” Jackson, Brianna’s determined mother. Executive producers include John Fischer (The Hate U Give), with production by Timothy M. Bourne (Love, Simon), Marty Bowen (The Maze Runner), Wyck Godfrey (First Man), Isaac Klausner (The Fault in Our Stars), Jay Marcus (The Hate U Give), Robert Teitel (Men of Honor), Angie Thomas herself, and George Tillman Jr. (The Hate U Give). The cast features Jamila Gray as Brianna “Bri” Jackson, alongside Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Cuyle Carvin, Michael Cooper Jr., and Nijah Brenea.
Brianna “Bri” Jackson dreams of becoming a legendary rapper, following in the footsteps of her late father, Lawrence “Lawless” Jackson, an underground rap icon who was tragically killed before breaking into the mainstream. Facing financial hardships after her mother unexpectedly loses her job, and dealing with school authorities labeling her as trouble due to her “aggressive” behavior, Bri channels her frustrations into her music. When her first song goes viral for all the wrong reasons, she finds herself engulfed in controversy. With bills mounting and homelessness looming, Bri isn’t just hoping to make it—she must.
This adaptation is Angie Thomas’s second book-to-film project after The Hate U Give in 2018. Reflecting on the process, Thomas described her greater involvement this time around. “I came in as an actual producer, not just in name,” she shared. “The first movie felt like freshman year—figuring things out—while this felt more like sophomore year. I’m still learning, but more confident.”
Thomas was deeply involved throughout production, attending casting Zoom calls, almost never missing filming days, and offering input alongside director Lathan. She appreciated seeing her story interpreted through other artists’ perspectives, adding new depth to the characters and narrative. Thomas was particularly pleased with Jamila Gray’s portrayal of Bri. She recalled how even extras on set were impressed by Gray’s rap performances during battle scenes, capturing the authentic energy of the rap battle environment.
The film’s journey to release was a four-year process, complicated by the pandemic, studio changes (from Fox to Paramount+), and a director switch. Despite initial doubts, Thomas’s excitement grew after seeing the movie at TIFF and engaging with the press. She found the festival experience thrilling, especially sharing the stage alongside big names like Taylor Swift and Hillary Clinton.
Readers familiar with the book will notice some changes: Bri’s grandparents don’t appear on screen, though their emotional presence remains strong, and Aunt Pooh’s storyline differs, delivering impactful emotional moments. For fans waiting for the movie, Thomas offers a playlist of hip-hop tracks that inspired her writing, citing influences such as 2Pac, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and Rapsody—the latter of whom wrote original raps for the film.
Looking ahead, Thomas is also excited about her upcoming middle-grade novel, Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy, marking her debut in fantasy and middle grade, featuring a dragon but no guns—a fresh departure from her previous work.
Ultimately, Thomas hopes On the Come Up resonates as a story about speaking out. Inspired by the wave of book bannings, the novel—and now the film—challenge audiences to listen beyond how words are expressed to understand the deeper messages and lived experiences behind them. Through Bri’s story, Thomas encourages a broader conversation about the importance of hearing what people truly mean.
