'Anam's Wake': A mystery, death, redemption and finding purpose in grief

Look, I know Spider-Man: Brand New Day is dominating the global box office right now, but I want us to take a detour and focus on Anam's Wake.

The premiere happened this last weekend, Prestige cinemas, ahead of its wide release this week, 3rd to 8th August 2026, at a reasonably affordable ticket price.

So in the lobby, as we were networking and waiting to go in for the screening, I kept asking any attendee I had the opportunity to speak to two questions: why did you buy a ticket for this, and how did you hear about it? The reason being, the premiere and the opening weekend had sold out.

Most people I asked said they'd found it through social media, and most were regular consumers of Kenyan cinema who came out specifically because the trailer promised something different.

So an aggressive marketing push, I don't know whether it was my algorithm, but this film has been all over my feed, and a unique concept might have played a role when it came to the reception of the film. But let’s put all that away, the most important question here is: does the final product deliver?

Anam's Wake

Anam's Wake is written and directed by Likarion Wainaina, who also produces alongside Wanjiru Njoroge, with cinematography by Enos Olik. Marima Wanjiru leads as Anam, opposite Samson Omondi as a character you will need to discover for yourself, Ruth Apondi as Aunt Kavata, Peter Kawa as Mason Ebale, and Vanessa Okeyo as Amani Ebale.

The ensemble also includes Maureen Muthoni as Stella, Pras Jadi as Kwame Ebale, Gathoni Mutua as Zuri Ebale, and Brenda Ngeso as Nyawira.