Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- sincere
- date night
- girls night
What critics said
Critics generally found the romance engaging and respectful, praising the leads' chemistry and representation of affluent African-American life while noting a formulaic plot and simplified treatment of racism.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Kenya and Brian's attraction is repeatedly tested by Kenya's concerns about family, friends, and racial perception.
Kenya's corporate ambition and idealized image of a suitable black partner shape her romantic resistance and eventual growth.
The film portrays Kenya's corporate career, upscale home, debutante event, and upper-middle-class African-American community.
Kenya hires landscape architect Brian to transform her new home, creating repeated opportunities for their relationship to deepen.
Films like Something New, and why
Guess Who
interracial romance, female self-discovery, and socially aware romantic comedy
The Holiday
career-focused woman navigating family expectations and romantic commitment in an accessible romantic comedy
The Best Man
romantic comedy centered on an accomplished black woman, friendship, and community expectations
Loving
warm interracial relationship drama balancing cultural tension with mainstream romance conventions
Movie Details
- Director
- Sanaa Hamri
- Release Date
- 2006-01-29
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (266)
Cast
- Sanaa Lathan
- Simon Baker
- Blair Underwood
- Wendy Raquel Robinson
- Taraji P. Henson
- Golden Brooks
- Mike Epps
- Donald Faison
- Alfre Woodard
- Earl Billings
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Something New about?
- A driven African-American accountant must confront her assumptions about race, status, and the ideal partner when an unexpected romance reshapes her carefully ordered life.
- What is Something New like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Something New as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Something New violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Something New.
- What did critics think of Something New?
- Critics generally found the romance engaging and respectful, praising the leads' chemistry and representation of affluent African-American life while noting a formulaic plot and simplified treatment of racism.
- Which films are like Something New?
- Films with a similar feel include Guess Who, The Holiday, The Best Man, and Loving.
- How long is Something New?
- Something New runs 99 minutes.
- Where can I watch Something New?
- In United States, Something New is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
