By: JERMAINE CRUICKSHANK
Much like the dish stew peas, which is distinctly Caribbean, our folklore stories, though they may differ from island to island, are often similar in nature. Whether it’s our food, folklore or music, these shared cultural flavours unite us as Caribbean people—and we enjoy a good movie that brings them together, too. So it’s no surprise that Stew Peas, the latest movie out of Jamaica, is making waves throughout the region, connecting with audiences, winning awards and preparing to take its flavour to the international market.
The Jamaican psychological thriller is written, directed, produced and co-executive produced by award-winning filmmaker Sosiessia Nixon-Kelly, alongside producer and executive producer Horane Henry, director of photography and co-executive producer Wentworth Kelly, and producer Lyriq Bent. Its Trinidad and Tobago premiere takes place on November 19 at Caribbean Cinemas, Trincity, with a meet-and-greet gala at 5 p.m., followed by the movie at 6 p.m. Audiences will meet a female detective investigating her best friend’s murder while her own marriage is crumbling, in a story where love, loyalty and control are intertwined with the old belief that a person can be “tied” through what they eat.
That connection between food and folklore began in Nixon-Kelly’s own kitchen, when her husband jokingly suggested that she had “tied him” after enjoying her stew peas. The exchange inspired the screenplay, and the name stayed. Rather than explore the drama, comedy or ghetto struggles often associated with Caribbean films, she wanted to connect regional folklore with a suspense thriller. “Authenticity was non-negotiable for me. I would not have done it any other way,” she said. “I have always believed that the more specific a story is, the further it travels. The flavour is Jamaican, but the feelings and themes are universal.”
Her passion for storytelling began long before that kitchen conversation, watching television at a neighbour’s house because her family did not own one. After high school, she successfully applied to film school in New York, but without financial support, the dream stalled. Meeting her husband, a cinematographer, rekindled that passion as her love for him and films grew simultaneously. With Stew Peas, she became involved from the first word on the page to the distribution contracts, although bringing the story to the screen meant confronting what she described as the first mountain: financing.
With no financial backing, three people who believed in themselves invested sweat equity, receiving equipment support from Fareye Film and assistance from the Creative Factory. A small budget meant demanding production days and shooting the film in just 12 days. Casting required similar resourcefulness. Unable to afford big names, Nixon-Kelly recognised potential in the social media videos of Kerry-Ann “Chiney K” Collins and Tarique. Neither had acted before, but their humility, willingness to learn and hard work helped them tackle two challenging characters, supported by seasoned performers such as Quera South.
Collins went on to win Best Actress at the Caribbean Film Awards, where Nixon-Kelly also earned recognition for Best Screenplay. “Personally, I have not yet fully grasped all that the film has achieved. To think this started as a joke from my husband in my kitchen to winning Best Screenplay sounds like a fairytale, one I couldn’t write myself. I am truly honoured and grateful for the recognition,” she said. Audience responses in Jamaica and the wider diaspora have also changed her expectations. Initially, she simply hoped people would enjoy the film; now, the conversations and positive feedback have revealed greater possibilities.
Trinidad and Tobago offers another connection through its strong film culture and shared folklore, with “sweat rice” providing a familiar counterpart to the belief explored in Stew Peas. Having met passionate Trinidadian filmmakers at international festivals, Nixon-Kelly anticipates audiences will enjoy the story. To the team’s knowledge, it is the first Jamaican film to open across the region through Caribbean Cinemas. Following its regional run, it opens in Florida on January 28, 2027, before moving to other US states, a journey she hopes will make distribution easier for other Caribbean productions.
For those opportunities to grow, she believes the region must work together. “We can’t do it disjointedly. We have to collaborate, share resources and look out for each other first. Let’s build our audience in our region, drive the demand for Caribbean films within the Caribbean and then export our stories intentionally,” she said. More film treaties, stronger infrastructure and education in the business of filmmaking are also needed. Stew Peas, she believes, demonstrates that Caribbean people want Caribbean films, and wider regional support can help open international markets.
Behind her determination are considerable sacrifices. Nixon-Kelly gave up a career in law, money, time and other opportunities to pursue filmmaking, sometimes questioning why she continues in such a difficult business. Yet Caribbean stories and the film’s reception at home keep her motivated. At heart, she remains the little girl on her neighbour’s verandah, hoping her neighbor would not get sleepy and close the door. She now hopes to build a sustainable industry where actors earn a living from their talent and Caribbean films reach big screens every day. For local audiences, her invitation is to watch and join the conversation. “I promise it will stay with you long after you’ve seen it. You will start asking yourself a lot of questions about a lot of your choices.”
