Native Son

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Native Son

2019

1h 48m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

62%

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52 Reviews

48%

Popcornmeter

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

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Soraya Nadia McDonald

Andscape

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

Apr 11, 2019

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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

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Brian T. Carney

Washington Blade

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

Dec 7, 2022

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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

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Juan Tomás Erbiti

Clarín

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

May 28, 2019

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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

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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

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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

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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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