Antwone Fisher (2002): Proper Therapy for the Black Experience

Black on Black Cinema reviews "Antwone Fisher" (2002), Denzel Washington's feature directorial debut, based on the true story of Antwone Fisher, a young Navy sailor sent to a psychiatrist who must face his painful past and search for the family he never knew. Derek Luke makes his film debut in the title role, opposite Washington as Dr. Jerome Davenport, with Joy Bryant, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, and Viola Davis. Fisher wrote the screenplay himself, drawing on his memoir "Finding Fish." We break down Luke's breakout performance, Washington's choices as a first-time director, how the film portrays a Black man opening up in therapy, and whether it holds up more than two decades later.


Black on Black Cinema is a long-running podcast featuring in-depth Black movie reviews and frank conversations that matter to the Black community. We review Black films across every genre — from Black horror and Black sci-fi to indie dramas, comedies, and blockbuster action. Covering filmmakers like Spike Lee, Jordan Peele, Ryan Coogler, Ava DuVernay, and more. Hosted by Jay, Micah, Terrence, and T'ara. Featured on RogerEbert.com. A TNP Studios production. New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. For more TNP Studios content, check out The Nerdpocalypse (movie & TV news), Look Forward (progressive politics), and Dense Pixels (video game news).