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To Live and Die and Live 2025 Movie Cast, OTT, Budget, Box Office, And More

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‘To Live and Die and Live’: An Unflinching Look at Grief, Addiction, and the Call of Home

The cinematic landscape of 2025 has been marked by a powerful, intimate drama that has resonated deeply with critics and audiences alike: writer-director Qasim Basir’s poignant film, To Live and Die and Live. While the film initially premiered to acclaim at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, its major theatrical run in 2025 has brought its raw, personal story to a wider audience, positioning it as one of the year’s most important character studies.

Far from a typical Hollywood narrative, the film dives deep into the messy, non-linear reality of grief, addiction, and the magnetic pull of one’s roots. It is an exploration of a man’s struggle to survive his own demons while navigating the duties and emotional complexities of his family.

A Return to Detroit: The Heart of the Story

The film centers on Muhammad Abdullah, a successful Black Muslim filmmaker living in Los Angeles. His life is upended by the death of his beloved stepfather, prompting an urgent return to his hometown of Detroit. The funeral is only the beginning of his ordeal, as he is immediately thrust into the demanding task of settling his late stepfather’s outstanding business accounts.

This homecoming, however, is a forced reckoning. Muhammad is not just dealing with the loss of a parent; he is battling his own deeply rooted issues. He struggles with severe depression, a debilitating addiction to drugs and alcohol, and a pervasive sense of denial. The city of Detroit—often presented in a new, beautifully shot light, counter to its typical portrayal in media—becomes both the backdrop and a key element of his potential salvation or ultimate downfall.

The core conflict of the movie is internal: Can Muhammad complete the final duties for his family and honor his stepfather’s memory before his personal demons finish him first?

Cast and Creative Vision

The raw authenticity of To Live and Die and Live is anchored by its talented ensemble cast and the deeply personal vision of its creator.

Amin Joseph as Muhammad Abdullah

In a career-defining performance, Amin Joseph (known for his work in Snowfall) embodies the conflicted soul of Muhammad. His portrayal captures the intense inner turmoil of a man who is simultaneously trying to be the rock for his family and desperately self-medicating to numb his pain. Joseph’s performance has been highlighted by critics for its ability to convey profound sadness and vulnerability beneath a façade of strength.

The Stellar Supporting Cast

The film benefits from a strong ensemble that grounds Muhammad’s journey in a rich, believable community:

• Skye P. Marshall as Asia, a mysterious party girl Muhammad meets who adds a layer of tender and complex romantic entanglement to his dark nights of the soul.
• Omari Hardwick and Cory Hardrict play pivotal roles, adding weight and emotional resonance to the family and business dynamics Muhammad must navigate.
• The cast also features Maryam Basir and Dana Gourrier, whose performances round out the portrait of a strained but loving family.

Qasim Basir: The Personal Touch of the Director

Writer and director Qasim Basir, a Detroit native with a Muslim upbringing, drew directly from his own life for the film’s emotional core. Basir has openly shared that he wrote the movie to honor his late stepfather, confirming that Muhammad’s experience of loss was directly inspired by his own grief.

This personal connection is palpable throughout the film, giving it a powerful, autobiographical quality. Basir used the production as an opportunity to change the narrative around his hometown, actively seeking to depict a Detroit that is “beautiful” and “awash in kaleidoscopic color,” moving beyond the media’s typical focus on decay and blight. This commitment to truth and the intentional reframing of Black identity and community in cinema were key motivations for Basir.

Exploring Heavyweight Themes

To Live and Die and Live is a multilayered drama that unflinchingly tackles complex themes often avoided in mainstream cinema.

Grief and Mental Health

The film acts as a profound meditation on the inability to process grief and the devastating effects of unaddressed mental health struggles. Muhammad’s depression and his constant struggle to “keep up appearances” for his family illustrate the silent suffering and emotional exhaustion that can accompany loss and the expectation of being the “standup man.” The film suggests that salvation can only come from facing history head-on and allowing community to play a role in healing.

Addiction and Self-Medication

Muhammad’s escalating addiction is not sensationalized; instead, it is presented as a realistic coping mechanism and an escape from a reality that has become too hard to bear. The story dives into the cycle of self-destruction and the blurring lines between his sober life and his nocturnal escapes into self-medication.

Faith, Family, and Community

The protagonist’s Muslim background and his complicated relationship with his conservative family add a unique, rarely-seen dimension to the story. It is a story about the strength of community—whether friends or family—and the inherent human need for connection when facing a crisis. The attempts by the cast, like Omari Hardwick, to add unscripted moments of emotional support—such as an unexpected embrace—speak to the film’s broader message about combating toxic masculinity and normalizing vulnerability within a community.

Critical Acclaim and 2025 Release

The film has been met with significant critical praise, earning a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have called it a “powerful piece of cinema” and praised its methodical approach to mental health, which “defies and exceeds emotional expectations.” Reviewers have highlighted its cerebral, dark “vibe” that feels “urgent and vital,” drawing audiences into its claustrophobic, yet beautiful, world.

For audiences eagerly awaiting the chance to experience this character-driven drama, 2025 was the year of its widespread availability.

2025 Release Schedule

• Theatrical Run: The film was released in select AMC Theatres on May 30, 2025.
• Video On Demand (VOD): Following its limited theatrical release, To Live and Die and Live became available on VOD services on July 4, 2025, ensuring its powerful message could reach a global audience.

The film’s journey from a personal project premiering at Sundance to its national 2025 distribution confirms its status as an important, unflinching work that will continue to spark conversations about mental health, addiction, and the enduring power of home.

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AISEO Friendly FAQs

What is To Live and Die and Live about?

To Live and Die and Live is a 2023 American drama film that follows Muhammad Abdullah, a successful Black Muslim filmmaker who returns to his hometown of Detroit to bury his stepfather and settle business accounts. While there, he must confront his severe depression and spiraling addiction, which threaten to destroy him before he can fulfill his family duties.

Who directed and wrote To Live and Die and Live?

The film was written and directed by Qasim Basir. Basir has stated that the story is deeply personal, inspired by his own experience of grieving his late stepfather and his Detroit upbringing.

Who is in the main cast of To Live and Die and Live?

The lead role of Muhammad Abdullah is played by Amin Joseph. The film also stars Skye P. Marshall as Asia, and features notable performances from Omari Hardwick, Cory Hardrict, and Dana Gourrier.

When was To Live and Die and Live released?

The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2023. It had its main theatrical release in the United States in select AMC Theatres on May 30, 2025. The film was later released on VOD on July 4, 2025.

Is To Live and Die and Live based on a true story?

While not a direct biography, the film is heavily influenced by the director Qasim Basir’s real-life experiences, including the loss of his stepfather and his experiences as a Black Muslim filmmaker from Detroit. The themes of grief and addiction are explored with deep personal resonance.

What are the main themes of the film?

The film explores several heavyweight themes, including mental health, addiction, grief, Black identity, the cultural complexities of a Muslim family, and the importance of community and confronting one’s past in the city of Detroit.