Antebellum Review

Though audacious in narrative approach and powered by a radical performance from Janelle Monáe, Antebellum, the creative but shallow thriller by writer/directors Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz, too often attempts to use its themes of systematic racism to galvanize its audience cheaply. There are tons of promising moments throughout Antebellum, but nothing that is able to keep the film consistently suspenseful or exciting. Recognition should be given to Bush and Renz for attempting to forge a unique story with impactful symbolism, but Antebellum can't help but indulge itself in its overly cinematic moments that feel jarring and out of place, resulting in an obscure film that never meets its potential.

Antebellum follows successful author Veronica Henley, who finds herself trapped prisoner in a horrifying reality that forces her to be a slave to a cult of supremacists, urging her to uncover and escape the mind-bending enigma before it costs her life.

The lack of engagement throughout Antebellum is regularly due to its unremarkable ability to build tension. Too often does the film break moments of intrigue by implementing strange editing that periodically comes off as gimmicky. There's an evident indecisiveness in what the film wants to be and how it wants to tell its story, forcing Antebellum down periods of heavy-handed storytelling that miss satisfying payoffs.

Luckily for Bush and Renz, the duo proves that their directing is far more competent than their script is. Antebellum's visual elements are well executed and are often the catalyst to the film's few gripping moments.

Overall, Antebellum's effort into making a unique and impactful journey is apparent, but the countless creative indecisions that burden both its editing and storytelling too often steer the film off-course. With the exception of the commendable Janelle Monáe, Antebellum underwhelms frequently.

Clean cinematography, competent direction, and a stellar job from Janelle Monáe isn't enough to forgive Antebellum for its absence of tension and intrigue.

Produced By: Lionsgate
Runtime: 106 minutes
Rating: R