Tomi Adeyemi's debut novel Children of Blood and Bone (2018) became a young adult fantasy phenomenon after its publication. The book's world draws on West African, and particularly Yoruba, mythology, which is exactly why it stood out from mainstream fantasy inspired by the European Middle Ages. The film rights were sold even before the book came out. After a long and winding development process, the film opens in Finnish cinemas on Friday 15 January 2027.
What is Children of Blood and Bone about?
The story is set in the fantasy kingdom of Orïsha, where magic once belonged to the maji. A ruthless monarchy has taken the magic away and persecuted those who used it. According to Paramount's trailer release, a young woman named Zélie sets out to restore the magic her people have lost. Her brother Tzain comes along, and unexpectedly the king's own children, Princess Amari and Prince Inan, become their allies. Together they rise up against the king's cruel rule.
Readers of the novel know that the central tension in the book lies between Zélie and Inan: Inan is both an enemy and something more, and his loyalty to his father is put to the test.
Cast and roles
The film's cast is exceptionally strong:
- Thuso Mbedu – Zélie
- Amandla Stenberg – Amari
- Damson Idris – Inan
- Tosin Cole – Tzain
- Chiwetel Ejiofor – King Saran
- Viola Davis – Mama Agba
- Cynthia Erivo – Admiral Kaea
- Idris Elba – Lekan
- Lashana Lynch – Jumoke
- Regina King
South African Thuso Mbedu made her breakthrough in Barry Jenkins' series The Underground Railroad, and she also appeared in Prince-Bythewood's previous film, The Woman King. Viola Davis, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Regina King are all award-winning, internationally renowned actors. In this film they mostly appear in supporting roles around the young protagonists.
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood
Gina Prince-Bythewood is known for Love & Basketball (2000), The Old Guard (2020) and The Woman King (2022). The Woman King in particular is the starting point for this film: it too was an action-driven epic set in West Africa, with women as warriors. Her experience with large-scale battle sequences and period world-building is already visible in the trailer.
The screenplay was written by Prince-Bythewood and author Tomi Adeyemi herself.
The author's contentious relationship with the film
Behind the film lies a controversy that has caught the attention of the book's fans. The project moved from Lucasfilm to Paramount at one point. According to JoBlo's headlines, Adeyemi has since publicly described the filmmaking process as an extremely painful experience and said she does not intend to watch the finished film. JoBlo has also reported on how the author's attitude to the project has changed along the way.
The details of the dispute are partly unclear, and we take no position on whose view is right. It is, however, rare for a novel's author and credited screenwriter to distance herself so visibly from her own adaptation just before release. This makes the film's reception interesting to follow.
Age rating and running time
KAVI's age rating and the official running time had not been published at the time of writing. Judging by the battle scenes in the trailer, the film is aimed at teenagers and adults. We will update the details once they are confirmed.
Analysis: the start of a new fantasy series?
Adeyemi's book series continues with Children of Virtue and Vengeance (2019) and Children of Anguish and Anarchy (2024). The film is therefore a potential first instalment of a larger series. For Paramount it is an investment: if successful, the studio would have its own young adult fantasy franchise, as The Hunger Games and Harry Potter once were.
The film's strengths are obvious. It has an original world, an experienced director and an unusually strong cast. The author controversy and the mid-January release are risks, though. January is traditionally a quieter month for cinema, but in the wake of December's big releases, a fantasy film also has the chance to find its audience without fierce competition.
For readers of the book, the film is an event in any case. For those who have not read it, it is a chance to discover a fantasy world unlike anything seen on the big screen before.
If you liked these, watch Children of Blood and Bone
- The Woman King (2022) – Prince-Bythewood's previous war epic set in West Africa, also featuring Thuso Mbedu and Viola Davis.
- Black Panther (2018) – a blockbuster drawing on African culture and myth that paved the way for projects like this.
- The Hunger Games series – a film series based on a young adult book series in which a young woman challenges an oppressive regime.
Our expectations
Above all, we expect spectacular world-building. Prince-Bythewood's battle scenes were the strongest part of The Woman King, and Orïsha's magic system gives them new possibilities. The biggest risk is structure. The novel is long and eventful, and condensing it into a single film could make the story feel rushed. The author controversy says nothing certain about the film's quality, but it does indicate that the adaptation has changed its source. Readers should therefore be prepared for differences. We will judge the result only after seeing the film.
Frequently asked questions
When is Children of Blood and Bone released in Finland?
According to Finnish cinemas, the film opens on Friday 15 January 2027.
What is the film based on?
The film is based on Tomi Adeyemi's novel Children of Blood and Bone (2018), the first book in a trilogy.
Who plays Zélie?
Zélie is played by South African actor Thuso Mbedu.
Who else is in the cast?
The supporting cast includes Viola Davis, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cynthia Erivo, Lashana Lynch and Regina King.
This text is based on information published by the film's distributors, production companies and film media. Assessments and interpretations are our own and are not based on seeing the finished film unless stated otherwise.
