The Last Black Man in San Francisco

The Last Black Man in San Francisco is currently streaming in the US on Kanopy, and it rewards the patience it asks of you. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Watch it for Jimmie Fails — one of the stronger performances out there right now. Available now on Kanopy — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

The Last Black Man in San Francisco is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The writing in The Last Black Man in San Francisco treats its characters as people first, plot devices second. Jimmie Fails dreams of reclaiming the Victorian home his grandfather built in the heart of San Francisco. Joined on his quest by his best friend Mont, Jimmie searches for belonging in a rapidly changing city that seems to have left them behind. The performances from Jimmie Fails and Jonathan Majors give it more weight than the premise alone would suggest. It hit screens in 2019. What elevates The Last Black Man in San Francisco is a refusal to let any character off the hook too easily. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

Drama fans who appreciate slow-burn storytelling will feel right at home with The Last Black Man in San Francisco. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Jimmie Fails's work here is the kind that gets referenced in career retrospectives. It makes everything else feel thin by comparison.

The Last Black Man in San Francisco was released in 2019, directed by Joe Talbot. The full 121-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.