Stew Peas Movie: Jamaican Psychological Thriller Brings Obeah Folklore to the Big Screen

Jamaican cinema continues to break new ground with Stew Peas, a gripping psychological thriller that blends suspense, mystery, and one of the island's most controversial pieces of folklore. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sosiessia Nixon-Kelly, the feature-length film is already generating major buzz following its sold-out world premiere and multiple Caribbean Film Award nominations.

Scheduled for nationwide theatrical release across Jamaica on July 22, 2026, Stew Peas represents another milestone for the country's growing film industry as a completely Jamaican-made production from script to screen.

What Is Stew Peas About?

At the heart of the story is Detective Tessa Riley, a determined investigator obsessed with solving the murder of her closest friend. But while she pursues justice professionally, her personal life begins to spiral out of control.

Her husband, Neil Riley, slowly becomes emotionally and psychologically distant after the couple hires a mysterious new housekeeper named Marcia. What begins as marital tension soon evolves into something far darker.

The thriller draws on longstanding Jamaican folklore surrounding obeah, specifically the controversial belief that a woman can spiritually "bind" a man by secretly feeding him food containing her menstrual blood. In Stew Peas, that forbidden ritual becomes the catalyst for an unsettling psychological battle that blurs the line between belief, manipulation, and reality.

Rather than relying on traditional horror tropes, the film builds suspense through emotional tension, paranoia, and cultural mythology, making it one of the most uniquely Caribbean thrillers in recent years.

Stew Peas Movie Cast

The film features a talented Jamaican cast led by:

• Kerry-Ann Collins as Detective Tessa Riley

• Tarique Barrett as Neil Riley

• Shak-Quera South as Marcia

• Cornelius Grant as Detective Neil Wallace

• Shernet Swearine as Nira Riley

The performances have already earned praise, with Collins receiving a nomination for Best Actress at the inaugural Caribbean Film Awards.

A Victory for Jamaican Filmmaking

Produced by iKon Media & Films in association with Fareye Films, Stew Peas stands as a showcase of Jamaican filmmaking talent.

Every stage of production—from development and writing to filming and post-production—was completed by local creatives, highlighting the increasing strength and maturity of Jamaica's independent film industry.

Executive producers say the goal extends beyond entertaining audiences; they hope the film demonstrates that authentic Caribbean stories can compete on the international stage while inspiring greater investment in regional cinema.

Stew Peas Earns Six Caribbean Film Award Nominations

Before reaching theaters nationwide, the psychological thriller had already become one of the most talked-about Caribbean films of the year.

The film received six nominations at the inaugural Caribbean Film Awards, including:

• Best Feature Film

• Best Director

• Best Actress

• Best Screenplay

• Caribbean Heritage Film Award

• Caribbean Film of the Year

Those nominations further cement Stew Peas as one of the year's standout Caribbean productions.

Release Dates

Audiences can catch the film on the following schedule:

• June 27, 2026 – World Premiere at Carib 5 Cinemas in Kingston (Sold Out)

• July 22, 2026 – Nationwide theatrical release across Jamaica

• August 23, 2026 – International premiere in Greenbelt, Maryland, for Caribbean diaspora audiences.

Watch the Official Trailer

The official trailer teases a tense psychological mystery filled with suspicion, emotional conflict, and unsettling moments rooted in Jamaican folklore.

Viewers can watch the trailer here: Stew Peas Official Trailer

Overall

Stew Peas is more than a suspense film—it is a bold exploration of Jamaican culture, folklore, and psychological storytelling. By weaving together crime investigation, family drama, and one of the island's most debated traditional beliefs, director Sosiessia Nixon-Kelly delivers a film that is both culturally authentic and universally compelling.

With its sold-out premiere, award recognition, and international distribution, Stew Peas signals a promising future for Jamaican cinema. For moviegoers seeking a thriller that offers more than jump scares, this homegrown production is shaping up to be one of the Caribbean's must-see films of 2026.