Regional theatrical release for ‘Stew Peas’

Fresh off its blockbuster success in local theatres, the Jamaican film Stew Peas is set to titillate regional taste buds with a good cinematic story as it rolls out in seven Caribbean territories ahead of its mainland début in the United States. Jamaican production company, Ikon Media and Films announced that, on October 29, the now-popular film will make its way throughout several Caribbean islands, paving the way for a limited theatrical run in the United States in January 2027.

The US Virgin Islands is the latest territory to get on board the regional rollout of Stew Peas, the acclaimed Jamaican psychological thriller written, directed, and produced by Sosiessia Nixon-Kelly. On October 29, the film will make history as it opens simultaneously in seven territories throughout Caribbean cinemas, the first Jamaican film the regional exhibitor has ever distributed. Islands that will enjoy the taste of Stew Peas include St Thomas and St Croix, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Antigua, Guyana, St Lucia and St Kitts.

The rollout and expansion follow a strong run at home. After its première at Carib 5 in Kingston on June 27, Stew Peas opened nationwide on July 22, in the same summer window as major Hollywood releases including Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Nearly three months later, the film continues to hold its own in Jamaican cinemas.

The partnership marks a major milestone for Jamaica’s film industry as its continues to attract growing interest as a location for international productions. Stew Peas stands out as a wholly home-grown achievement, with its success demonstrating that locally rooted intellectual property can travel across borders.

According to the film’s writer, producer and director Sosiessia Nixon-Kelly, the film’s success is tied to its unwavering commitment to authentic Caribbean storytelling grounded in local culture, folklore and richly drawn characters. The expansion, therefore, is a major milestone that must be highlighted and celebrated as a win for Jamaica and its culture.

“Every new territory confirms what we’ve known all along: Caribbean audiences are hungry for authentic, home-grown cinema, told in our own voice on the big screen. Adding the US Virgin Islands brings us to seven markets on day one. That isn’t just a win for our team; it’s a leap forward for Jamaican and Caribbean filmmaking as we prepare to take the film to the United States early next year,” Nixon-Kelly said.

Stew Peas chronicles the story of Detective Tessa Riley as she investigates the murder of her best friend, unaware that a mysterious housekeeper is quietly dismantling her marriage from within, after setting eyes on Tessa’s husband.

Steeped in Jamaican folklore and West African spiritual traditions, the film stars Kerry-Ann ‘Chiney-K’ Collins, Tarique Barrett, Shernet Swearine, and Quera South. It was filmed entirely on location in Kingston, Jamaica. Tickets for the regional run are available at caribbeancinemas.com and at participating cinema box offices.