Stephan James gives his all in the new trailer for Ricky, also starring Sheryl Lee Ralph and Titus Welliver.

Directed by Rashad Frett, the film quickly became a Sundance 2025 darling and earned Frett the Sundance Directing Award.

James stars as the title character, a man who has just been released from prison. Because he was incarcerated as a teenager, the now 30-year-old Ricky has never experienced true adulthood until his release. Now, as the logline says, he must navigate “the challenging realities of life post-incarceration, and the complexity of gaining independence for the first time as an adult.”

The film, based on Frett’s short film of the same name, also stars Maliq Johnson, Imani Lewis and Simbi Kali.

What to know about the film’s Pay-It-Forward Kickstarter campaign

Blue Harbor Entertainment is distributing the film, but the filmmaking team, who retain the movie’s rights, has launched a Pay-It-Forward Kickstarter campaign that’s “focused on the theatrical release that will give audiences a direct role in supporting independent film and the communities in which the story is centered.”

It’ll allow the film to be screened for social justice organizations and youth programs focused on prison reform and re-entry. The campaign will also allow people to pre-purchase a ticket to a theatrical screening or buy a ticket for someone who might not have access to the film otherwise.

“This film resonates far beyond incarceration,” Frett said in a statement received by Blavity’s Shadow and Act. “Whether someone has lived that experience or simply recognizes their own struggle in Ricky’s journey, our goal is to spark real conversations about re-entry, resilience, and the human cost of starting over. At the same time, we want to shine a light on the state of independent filmmaking itself — an art form at risk in today’s industry. That’s why we chose to take the film’s future into our own hands and put audiences at the center of this journey.” 

The film is produced by Steelo Brim, DC Wade, Josh Peters, Pierre Coleman, Simon Taufique, and Mark Steele, in association with Ossetra Films. It is executive produced by James and his Bay Mills Studios banner. 

When will ‘Ricky’ be in theaters?

Ricky comes to select theaters on March 20. Watch the trailer below: