40 Acres

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Danielle Deadwyler, known for her roles in Watchmen and Carry-On, takes on the role of your next preferred action hero in the debut trailer for the post-apocalyptic thriller, 40 Acres. The footage depicts Deadwyler engaged in intense battles and gunfights as she defends her family and their land in a world devastated by successive pandemics and wars. Catch the first glimpse of 40 Acres below.

In his first-time directorial effort, R. T. Thorne crafts the movie “40 Acres,” with Danielle Deadwyler headlining as a descendant of African American farmers who established their homes in rural Canada more than 150 years ago. Fast forward to the present day, where she is compelled to protect her land against adversaries seeking to seize it in a dystopian future. Joining Deadwyler on screen are Kataem O’Connor, Jaeda LeBlanc, Michael Greyeyes, and others. The film is scheduled for release in theaters on July 2, 2025, and for more details, you can read the official synopsis provided below.

Following numerous disasters such as plagues and wars that have left society devastated, the Freemans are managing not just to survive, but to prosper on a remote farm. However, they must frequently defend themselves against attacking parties. Hailey (Danielle Deadwyler), a former soldier, and her partner Galen (Michael Greyeyes) escaped the societal collapse with their children, teaching them how to fight and kill for survival. Now that Emanuel (Kataem O’Connor), their eldest son, has grown into a young man, his desire for human connection could potentially put the entire family at risk, especially after he encounters a young woman (Milcania Diaz-Rojas) in the forest beyond their protective barrier.

’40 Acres’ Could Be a Post-Apocalyptic Thriller Classic

40 Acres premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival about a year ago in September, receiving exceptional reviews that awarded it a unique perfect rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, classifying it as a thriller. Stephen Saito from Variety highly commended Danielle Deadwyler for her role as the action heroine, likening her impact to renowned Hollywood figures such as Clint Eastwood and Bruce Willis.

In a way that’s reminiscent of the dramatic entrances typically seen in films starring action legends like Clint Eastwood or Bruce Willis, where the camera follows from behind to reveal the heroine, mid-action such as subduing an intruder on her property with a knife, it carries a unique impact when a Black woman is portrayed with such authority. R.T. Thorne’s gripping hostage drama may borrow some familiar elements, but it brims with original ideas.

Ferdosa Abdi from Screen Rant commended the film for finding a glimmer of hope amidst the gloom, expressing that “the movie carries some poignant scenes and ideas, and while it’s heavy on darkness and violence, ultimately, it tells an inspiring tale about family, heritage, and optimism.” Similarly, Molly Henery from The Blogging Banshee praised the film for its action-packed and suspenseful storyline that manages to unearth hope in a desolate future.

Courtney Small from Shelf described the thriller as a “thrilling movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat” and added it to the list of essential films to watch this year. Meanwhile, Cassondra Feltus of Black Girl Nerds gave 40 Acres a top rating of 5/5, summarizing…

As a cinephile, I can’t help but be drawn into the intriguing fusion of dystopian horror and coming-of-age drama in this Magnolia Pictures & Magnet Releasing film. The movie masterfully blends hauntingly chilling scenes with heartwarmingly touching moments, creating a compelling viewing experience that keeps me captivated from start to finish.

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2025-05-02 13:02