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Celluloid
Drama Cannes 2024 Editor's Pick

On Becoming a Guinea Fowl Review (2024) — 82% Celluloid Score

Directed by Rungano Nyoni · 2024 ·

Short answer

Is On Becoming a Guinea Fowl worth watching?

Yes. On Becoming a Guinea Fowl (2024) earns an 82% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics (100%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (72%). See the 4 inputs.

82%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

100% Editorial Rating
72% Audience snapshot · excluded
87 Metascore
★★★½☆ Letterboxd 3.5
7 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Runtime
1h 39m
Age rating
PG-13 (US) · 12A (UK) · 15 (South Korea)
Cast
Susan Chardy , Roy Chisha , Blessings Bhamjee , Chungu Bwalya
Streaming
HBO Max, Cinemax
Country
Zambia
Language
English

Also known as 뿔닭이 되는 것에 대하여 成为一只珍珠鸡 死了舅舅以後 Beç Tavuğu Olmak Üzerine

Where to watch

  • HBO Max
  • Cinemax

Rent: Amazon Video, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Buy: Amazon Video, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is exceptional (100/100).
  • General viewers mostly liked it (72%).
  • Metascore signals universal acclaim (87/100).
  • Celluloid Score 82% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded drama pick
  • Short runtime — easy weeknight watch
  • Critics' darlings — stronger with reviewers than general viewers

Not ideal for

    Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

    Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

    Is On Becoming a Guinea Fowl worth watching?

    Yes — On Becoming a Guinea Fowl earns an 82% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded drama pick. Read our full review (5/5).

    Celluloid verdict

    Rungano Nyoni folds dark family secrets into a wry, surreal portrait of Zambian funeral customs, confirming her gift for finding pointed satire inside grief.

    , Founder & Editor

    Critics (100%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (72%).

    What is On Becoming a Guinea Fowl about?

    On an empty road in the middle of the night, Shula stumbles across the body of her uncle. As funeral proceedings begin around them, she...

    Watch the Trailer

    Critic Reviews

    Short review 4 min read English On Becoming a Guinea Fowl

    On Becoming a Guinea Fowl (2024) Review: Silence at a Wake

    On Becoming a Guinea Fowl is Rungano Nyoni's wry, unsettling Zambian drama about a family funeral that exposes what everyone has agreed not to say.

    Yes. It is a daring, bleakly funny and deeply affecting drama for viewers who like cinema that trusts them, though its deadpan style and heavy subject demand patience.

    Kaiser Khan Founder & Editor

    On Becoming a Guinea Fowl stills

    Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.

    On Becoming a Guinea Fowl production still 1
    On Becoming a Guinea Fowl production still 2
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    On Becoming a Guinea Fowl production still 4
    On Becoming a Guinea Fowl production still 5
    On Becoming a Guinea Fowl production still 6

    Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.

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    On Becoming a Guinea Fowl: frequently asked questions

    Is On Becoming a Guinea Fowl worth watching?

    Yes. On Becoming a Guinea Fowl (2024) has a Celluloid Score of 82%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

    Where can I watch On Becoming a Guinea Fowl?

    In the United States, On Becoming a Guinea Fowl streams on HBO Max, Cinemax with a subscription, and you can rent it from Amazon Video, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home or buy it from Amazon Video, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

    How long is On Becoming a Guinea Fowl?

    On Becoming a Guinea Fowl runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).

    What is On Becoming a Guinea Fowl rated?

    On Becoming a Guinea Fowl is rated PG-13 in the United States, 12A in the UK and 15 in South Korea. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in On Becoming a Guinea Fowl?

    On Becoming a Guinea Fowl is directed by Rungano Nyoni and stars Susan Chardy, Roy Chisha, Blessings Bhamjee, Chungu Bwalya.

    What is the Metascore for On Becoming a Guinea Fowl?

    Metacritic's Metascore for On Becoming a Guinea Fowl is 87 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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