Barry (2016)
A quiet, intimate portrait of a young Barack Obama navigating identity, race, and college life in 1980s New York City.
Barry - Movie Information
- Original Title: Barry
- Release Year: 2016
- Directed by: Vikram Gandhi
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 44m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 16, 2016
- Alternative Titles: 青年巴里 (CN)
- Production Companies: Black Bear Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
Barry - Plot
A young Barack Obama forges his identity while dealing with race, divergent cultures and ordinary life as a New York City college student.
Barry - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a first look at this compelling biographical drama.
Before he was Barack, he was Barry
Where to Watch Barry
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Barry - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Vikram Gandhi
Main Cast
- Devon Terrell
- Anya Taylor-Joy
- Jason Mitchell
- Ellar Coltrane
- Jenna Elfman
- Linus Roache
- Avi Nash
- John Benjamin Hickey
- Ashley Judd
- Sawyer Pierce
Writers
- Adam Mansbach
Producers
- Ben Stillman
- Teddy Schwarzman
- Dana O'Keefe
- Vikram Gandhi
Barry - FAQs
What is Barry about?
Barry follows a young Barack Obama during his early 1980s years at Columbia University in New York City. The film explores how he wrestled with questions of racial identity, cultural belonging, and personal purpose — the formative experiences that would eventually shape one of America's most consequential political figures.
Is Barry based on a true story?
Yes, Barry is rooted in real history. It dramatizes Barack Obama's college years in New York City during the early 1980s, drawing on his own memoir and accounts of that period. While some characters and scenes are fictionalized, the film stays true to the emotional and biographical core of his formative years.
Where can you stream Barry?
You can stream Barry on Netflix — it's available on both the standard Netflix plan and Netflix Standard with Ads. It's a straightforward pick for a quiet evening, especially if you're drawn to character-driven biographical dramas.
Who plays Barack Obama in Barry?
Devon Terrell takes on the role of a young Barack Obama, delivering a nuanced and understated performance. The supporting cast includes Anya Taylor-Joy as Charlotte, Ashley Judd as Obama's mother Ann Dunham, and Jason Mitchell as his friend PJ — all adding real texture to the story.
Is Barry worth watching?
If you appreciate intimate, quietly observed character studies, Barry is well worth your time. Devon Terrell's performance is a standout, and the film offers a refreshingly human portrait of Obama before the political spotlight. Critics praised its restraint and authenticity, making it a compelling companion to any interest in his life story.
Does Barry show Obama's time at Columbia University?
Yes, Columbia University is central to the film. Barry is set during Obama's student years there in the early 1980s, and the campus environment — its academic pressures, social dynamics, and diverse student body — forms the backdrop against which he grapples with questions of identity, race, and where he truly belongs.
Who directed Barry and what else have they made?
Barry was directed by Vikram Gandhi, a filmmaker known for blending documentary sensibility with narrative storytelling. He previously made the acclaimed documentary Kumaré (2011), which explored themes of identity and authenticity — concerns that carry directly into his approach to this portrait of a young Obama finding himself.
What themes does Barry explore beyond politics?
Barry steers well clear of political biography. Its real focus is on belonging — what it feels like to be caught between worlds, neither fully Black nor fully white, neither American nor Kenyan. The film is ultimately a quiet coming-of-age story about a young man searching for a sense of self before history came calling.
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