Antebellum

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Antebellum

R

2020

1h 46m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

31%

Tomatometer

205 Reviews

50%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Successful author Veronica Henley is finishing a book tour before she returns home to her husband and daughter. But a shocking turn of events is about to upend Veronica's existence, plunging her into a horrifying reality that forces her to confront her past, present and future -- before it's too late.

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Critics Consensus

Antebellum fails to connect its images with any meaning, making for a largely unpleasant experience lacking any substantial scares.

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Mark Kermode

Kermode & Mayo's Film Review

It proves how hard it is to make a remarkable film like Get Out or Us...this works on paper but doesn't earn its keep on screen.

Apr 6, 2021

Full Review

Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

The visual style (lots of slow-mo) is sometimes overdone. But the ideas are alive, Monáe is a star and the drama is quietly unsettling.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 2, 2021

Full Review

Ben Travis

Empire Magazine

It's an audacious swing - but ultimately a miss from a pair of filmmakers who know exactly what they want to say, and haven't yet mastered how best to say it.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 1, 2021

Full Review

Bryce Hanson

Horror Movie Talk

What I can say is that it’s not that bad. While this is not the film that I expected, it’s still a very intriguing concept that is told in a passable way even if it’s not the route I would have chosen.

Rated: 5/10

Sep 18, 2025

Full Review

Manuel São Bento

MSB Reviews

Antebellum is set to divide viewers due to its uncomfortable yet realistic, extreme violence. Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz deliver an undeniably shocking film, involving hard-to-watch depictions of torture, slavery, and racism.

Rated: B

Jul 24, 2023

Full Review

LaNeysha Campbell

But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Antebellum subverts the delusional and romanticized view of the American South while not abusing the slave narrative for shock value.

Rated: 9/10

Jan 17, 2023

Full Review

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Audience Member

The cinematography is fantastic and the story is really well driven, the ending is a complete plot twist that quite literally left my jaw dropped. Excellently written and played! Y’all who’s rating it bad must’ve not watched it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/27/25

Full Review

Breeze P

Amazing movie with a powerful message. Antebellum had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Those who don’t like it, it either struck a cord, or they missed the message. if you were uncomfortable while watching, good. You were supposed to be.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/27/25

Full Review

Brad B

Confused and ineffective.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/25/25

Full Review

Kai H

Very badly underrated movie; I suspect that a lot of the low rankings come from the fact people could not follow or understand the plot, which, admittedly, could have been shot a little better, but it was still a wonderful punch to the gut and I was cheering for the main character.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/19/25

Full Review

Rosana B

Qualquer semelhança com Deus, Pátria e Família não é mera coincidência… O filme é tão real e tão absurdo, estou catatônica com o desfecho. Estava a pensar quando irá começar o terror, uma introdução forte, mas alongada, e quando nos demos conta o terror é mesmo a escravidão vivida, sem spoiler, mas o horror desse momento pavoroso vivido pela maioria dos países, é uma eterna macula na sua áurea, ainda hoje, e dói na alma… Uma produção caprichosa, se não funciona como terror, o faz em drama…

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/23/25

Full Review

KENDREA B

Lol based on the reviews...I see who watched this movie and who didn't. Point of film completely missed by many..not surprised though.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/25

Full Review

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Gerard Bush

Director

Christopher Renz

Director

Janelle Monáe

Veronica

Jena Malone

Elizabeth

Jack Huston

Jasper

Kiersey Clemons

Julia

Antebellum: Official Clip - Fighting for Her Freedom

2:38

Antebellum: Official Clip - Julia's Death

3:00

Antebellum: Official Clip - My Name is Veronica!

1:57

Antebellum: Official Clip - Kidnapping Veronica

1:04

Antebellum: Official Clip - Please Kill Me

2:45

Antebellum: Official Clip - Julia's Miscarriage

2:14

Antebellum: Official Clip - Burning the Racists

2:33

Antebellum: Official Clip - Say Your Name!

3:00

Antebellum: Official Clip - No Good Confederate

2:59

Antebellum: Official Clip - Riding to Freedom

2:31

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Antebellum: Exclusive Interview

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Antebellum: Final Trailer

2:00

Antebellum: Trailer 2

1:10

Antebellum: Trailer 1

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Antebellum: Teaser Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Successful author Veronica Henley is finishing a book tour before she returns home to her husband and daughter. But a shocking turn of events is about to upend Veronica's existence, plunging her into a horrifying reality that forces her to confront her past, present and future -- before it's too late.

Director: Gerard Bush, Christopher Renz
Producer: Raymond Mansfield, Sean McKittrick, Zev Foreman, Gerard Bush, Christopher Renz, Lezlie Wills
Screenwriter: Gerard Bush, Christopher Renz
Production Co: QC Entertainment, Lionsgate
Rating: R (Language|Disturbing Violent Content|Sexual References)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 18, 2020
Runtime: 1h 46m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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