Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures is a 2016 American biographical drama film directed by Theodore Melfi and co-written with Allison Schroeder.

Hidden Figures is a 2016 American biographical drama film directed by Theodore Melfi and co-written with Allison Schroeder. Based on Margot Lee Shetterly’s book, it dramatizes the work of three African-American mathematicians at NASA during the early 1960s Space Race. The film stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe.

Premise

The film follows three NASA mathematicians whose calculations supported early U.S. spaceflight missions. It presents their professional contributions alongside the segregation and sexism they faced in Virginia in the 1960s.

Production

Hidden Figures was directed by Theodore Melfi, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Allison Schroeder. It adapts Margot Lee Shetterly’s book about Black women mathematicians at NASA.

Cast and characters

Taraji P. Henson portrays Katherine Johnson, Octavia Spencer portrays Dorothy Vaughan, and Janelle Monáe portrays Mary Jackson. The ensemble also includes Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Mahershala Ali, and Glen Powell.

Reception and recognition

The film was widely promoted as an inspirational historical drama and received strong mainstream attention. It is described by major film platforms as a multiple Oscar nominee.