Native Son

2019

1h 48m

Drama

List

62%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

48%

Audience Score

100+ Ratings

A young African-American living in Chicago enters into a seductive new world of money and power after becoming a chauffeur for an affluent businessman.

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Critics Consensus

Native Son's struggles with its problematic source material are uneven but overall compelling, thanks largely to Ashton Sanders' poised work in the central role.

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Hannah Giorgis

The Atlantic

At times quite visually stunning, but with tonal incongruities that make for a disjointed viewing experience.

Sep 10, 2019

Full Review

Soraya Nadia McDonald

Andscape

Nearly 80 years after Native Son was first published, we're still searching for answers.

Apr 11, 2019

Full Review

Steven Nguyen Scaife

Slant Magazine

Native Son makes a number of changes to its source material, many of which dilute the story's power.

Rated: 2.5/4

Apr 6, 2019

Full Review

Brian T. Carney

Washington Blade

A powerful indictment of systemic racism in America based on the classic novel by Richard Wright.

Dec 7, 2022

Full Review

Greg Carlson

Vague Visages

Johnson's striking vision is enhanced by Libatique's photography, which perfectly outlines the discomfort experienced by Big as he tries - and fails - to fit in anywhere.

Jul 29, 2019

Full Review

Juan Tomás Erbiti

Clarín

By itself, it falters. [Full review in Spanish]

May 28, 2019

Full Review

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Audience Member

Such a strong first half that falls completely apart, especially once the climax arrived, I genuinely thought "but...why?"

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Ashton Sanders è un astro nascente, detta il ritmo e cattura la scena in questo film molto particolare che si adatta perfettamente al suo personaggio. Piaccia o no, i ritmi lenti e cadenzati come le movente di Ashton, il film segue la parabola di un giovane afro americano, il cui destino è segnato da un singolo momento che fa crollare tutte le sue speranze, portandolo in una spirale di disperazione.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Native Son by Richard Wright is one of my favorite books. This film is not that book. It is a modernization with a different ending. Bigger is a Native Son. He is the product of systemic racism in America.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/16/20

Full Review

Audience Member

I've been underwhelmed by Ashton Sanders in the past, but he did a great job in this indie film. Unfortunately the plot takes a bombastic turn after the halfway mark, and to me, ruins a strong first half.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Coolest jacket ever. Ashton Sanders was my favorite "3rd" of Moonlight. But the film had a completely different tone from the book (which I discuss here) because of the deviation from the book's setting — modern day vs. 1930s — especially during the final act. The film's Bigger is more likable, which is the problem.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Plane ride home from Spain

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

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Rashid Johnson

Director

Ashton Sanders

Bigger Thomas

Margaret Qualley

Mary Dalton

Nick Robinson

Jan Erlone

Sanaa Lathan

Trudy Thomas

KiKi Layne

Bessie

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Synopsis

A young African-American living in Chicago enters into a seductive new world of money and power after becoming a chauffeur for an affluent businessman.

Director: Rashid Johnson
Producer: Matthew Perniciaro, Michael Sherman
Screenwriter: Suzan-Lori Parks
Production Co: Bow and Arrow Entertainment
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 6, 2019
Runtime: 1h 48m

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