Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

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2:19

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

R

2020

1h 34m

History

Drama

Music

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Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

318 Reviews

72%

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1,000+ Ratings

Tensions and temperatures rise at a Chicago music studio in 1927 when fiery, fearless blues singer Ma Rainey joins her band for a recording session.

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Critics Consensus

Framed by a pair of powerhouse performances, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom pays affectionate tribute to a blues legend -- and Black culture at large.

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Christina Newland

iNews.co.uk

The poignant conclusion is as bitter as it is heartbreaking, because, fictional though it is, its story of racism, rage and lost promise shows an essential truth.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 23, 2024

Full Review

Shelli Nicole

Autostraddle

The focus of the film is more on Levee, Chadwick Boseman’s character. It felt like Viola was the pull but I was left wanting to learn even more about Ma Rainey than before. However, that’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy the film because I absolutely did.

Apr 13, 2022

Full Review

Roxana Hadadi

Pajiba

The sense that we're beholden to the whims of unseen forces-that we're not the protagonists of our own stories-cuts deep in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

Mar 21, 2021

Full Review

Joonatan Itkonen

Toisto.net

While not perfect, it’s another milestone for Netflix in delivering smart, adult fare to theaters, and a gorgeous swansong for an actor gone too soon.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 14, 2024

Full Review

Ryan McQuade

InSession Film

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom leaves a little to be desired, even though Boseman gives the performance of his career. It’s a shame that the film he is in isn’t as wonderful as he, but with this, he leaves a legacy.

Rated: B-

Apr 4, 2024

Full Review

Farah Cheded

A Good Movie To Watch

Unabashedly stagy in many respects, a quality that can work both ways — but, ultimately, the crackling current that runs through Davis and Boseman’s acting gives the movie all the blazing, goosebump-inducing immediacy of a live performance.

Oct 14, 2023

Full Review

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Raymond

Whew. The overwhelming sense of being trapped as a black person, disregarded and disrespected leading to despair. Outstanding screenplay, acting, directing and music. The last scene appropriately made us white folks seem small and lame.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/07/21

Full Review

Michael schwab

Viola and chad excellent! Fascinating would like to see again! Great film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/14/21

Full Review

Meri S.

DNF. Written more like a play.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

09/06/25

Full Review

Tom M

This would of course work better on stage. I confess ignorance to the fact it started life as an August Wilson play. Once you realise this is the play then it's best to just go with it, enjoy the language and the rich character acting. Viola is a revelation.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/22/25

Full Review

Stephen C

1 hour and 34 minutes based on a true story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Language, Brief Violence and Some Sexual Content!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/02/25

Full Review

Dave C

An affectionate tribute it might be, but it lacks any real depth to the story being told. It might have been better if there were greater depth to the key characters. Sorrow, worry, and injustice come through just enough, but it feels light on the tale of who Ma Rainey actually was

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/30/25

Full Review

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George C. Wolfe

Director

Viola Davis

Ma Rainey

Chadwick Boseman

Levee

Glynn Turman

Toledo

Colman Domingo

Cutler

Michael Potts

Slow Drag

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom: Movie Clip - Got Talent

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Ma Rainey's Black Bottom: Movie Clip - Deep Moaning Blues

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Ma Rainey's Black Bottom: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Tensions and temperatures rise at a Chicago music studio in 1927 when fiery, fearless blues singer Ma Rainey joins her band for a recording session.

Director: George C. Wolfe
Producer: Todd Black, Denzel Washington, Dany Wolf
Screenwriter: Ruben Santiago-Hudson
Distributor: Netflix
Production Co: Netflix
Rating: R (Language|Brief Violence|Some Sexual Content)
Genre: History, Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 25, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 18, 2020
Runtime: 1h 34m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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