Emancipation

Emancipation

Inspired by the gripping true story of a man who would do anything for his family—and for freedom. When Peter, an enslaved man, risks his life to escape and return to his family, he embarks on a perilous journey of love and endurance.

  • Released: 2022-12-02
  • Runtime: 132 minutes
  • Genre: Drama, History, Thrillers
  • Stars: Will Smith, Ben Foster, Charmaine Bingwa, Steven Ogg, Gilbert Owuor, Mustafa Shakir, Grant Harvey, Ronnie Gene Blevins, Jayson Warner Smith, Jabbar Lewis, Michael Luwoye, Aaron Moten, Imani Pullum
  • Director: Antoine Fuqua
 Comments
  • isaifranco-61275 - 14 December 2023
    Peter
    Emancipation was a great movie. I loved the background and story of the movie. It sets the quality of how the movie is made. The movie had amazing acting from most actors. It shows how it would happen if slaves ran away from their owners. I loved the way everything is correct in this movie. The impact of what Peter does is amazing. He escapes from his master, figures out how to get rid of his scent so the dogs won't find him and get him back. The second thing is that he learns how to fight off an alligator. It is amazing how this is all a true story. And lastly he goes into the Civil War and kills some people and captures land. It's so amazing. I give this movie a 10/10 and I recommend it.
  • mooretoffees - 8 July 2023
    2 hours of my life I'm never going to see again
    It had so much promise but never delivered. Movies like this usually make you look away from the gratuitous violence of war. Will Smith's acting is enough to do this. Will Smith is stale, I fear his best days are behind him. His accent made the dialog difficult to understand, surely there are better actors out there who could of played that part. Ben Foster was a good support as always but it needed a better lead. The black and white picture was unnecessary and lacked the cinematic appeal edge it was intended to deliver. And just as you think it's over it carries on and on and on. 12 years a slave it is not.
  • joefro-65193 - 20 April 2023
    Interesting plot
    At first it started off pretty normal and calm which i liked because that's how I liked my movies that they don't just instantly hit you with all the action in the first 5 minutes of it. They did a really good job really teaching people because this was a based on a true story and it's something that really did happen. I really liked what they were trying to show, but what i think they needed was show different plot and like story line. The movie really needed more emotion onto something that was really serious and really depressing to think about now. They tried to make it as realistic like the whole no color thing too. What i didn't like is the way they tried rushing everything of course the movie could have been really long but they could have shortened things that really didn't matter like the things he imagined some of them had meaning the others were just killing time because they showed his family.
  • nicolemeerts - 30 December 2022
    Horrifying truth
    This is the most beautiful movie i have ever seen in my life.

    It shows the most horrifying truth of how slaves were treated in the days when white man thought they possessed the world. Black people from around the world were abducted to work on the cotton fields.

    Men, women and children were tortured, whipped, raped and hung or shot. They had to live in apalling conditions without almost any food, water.

    Will Smith plays the role of a lifetime. No one could have performed this any better than Will Smith. He was the wright person to play the role of a slave.

    I understand why this movie was in black and white. This made it even more realistic. For me this movie deserves an absolute 10.

    Maybe after watching this movie people will start thinking differently about the human race.

    Special thanks to all the people who made this movie.

    From a Belgian admirer.
  • kechlivefree - 24 December 2022
    Will Smith outdid himself with this one!
    One of the best movies about American history that I've seen. Anthony Fuqua is a genius! Will Smith was amazing! I'm glad someone touched on this from this perspective. The filming and directing, and the color scheme was wonderful and different I loved everything about this movie (aside from the reality of the ignorance and cruelty of the past)! This movie needs to be promoted more than it is! Good work Apple TV and to all who took part in this epic film! You all did a wonderful job. If you haven't seen it I suggest you do, and if you hate it I suggest a look in the mirror. The truth although sometimes wicked...should always come to light. Oscar winner for sure!
  • Idle_Hands08 - 20 December 2022
    Not as good as similar films...
    Well... this film was well made, well acted and did give the viewer an emotional connection to the main characters.

    It just wasn't as good as the following: 1. Django Unchained 2. The birth of a nation 3. 12 years a slave

    The civil war era slavery theme was explored here using a real life persons story, made famous from a photograph taken of him when he reached a certain point in his journey. This was great, unlike Django, it was based on a real person and the chase that ensured when he and fellow slaves made a run for it while building a railroad for the southern army in civil war USA. The sheer determination, courage, and strength of body and mind were unparalleled, and leaves you with something to think about in your own life.

    As a piece of entertainment, it just didn't match the aforementioned films and needed more action, suspense and payoff in the final act for this to really hit the mark. It was edited with a sort of sepia filter and I think would have been better if it was just black and white... Overall, worth a watch, but won't make anyone's best of the year lists.
  • shadow51-67-392160 - 18 December 2022
    Seriously why so low?
    I love IMDB and use the ratings as my guide to Whether a movie deserves my time to watch it. So glad I didn't check before watching this. Is it a 10? Obviously not but come on, 5.8 (at time of review), that's just insulting. I've seen far crapier movies with far higher ratings. This should be rated in the sevens for sure. I don't normally bother with reviews but felt I had to say something here!

    Acting was fantastic, cinematography was amazing and the story was engaging. Not sure what more anyone could want to rate a movie good. I have to admit I love Will Smith and Ben Foster and thought hey were both brilliant. I think this movie will be appreciated with time.
  • ekanhp - 15 December 2022
    Emotional and Hopeful
    I am going to start with the end, the end on how I felt and reacted to this movie. Honestly I dropped a tear or two at the end of this movie, I could not hold back - naturally. This movie gives you an emotional ride, a hopeful ride, a faithful ride and a belief, you feel attached to Will Smith and his belief/faith that he will make it to his destination. I've always been a fan of movies like this, fictionalised or non-fiction, it can touch your heart and give you mixed emotions. The characters that faced hardship, I felt for them and was silently cheering them on and the characters who abused authority, were driven by mad-thoughts, desires and power, yes I was cheering for them to lose and fall. Its a simplistic storyline with some good acting and roleplay. I give it a 8/10.
  • remybeautyy - 13 December 2022
    Great film - Outstanding performance by Will Smith
    Great film. Deserve an Oscar. It's always hard to watch films about slavery but this one in particular showcase love, black love which made the movie more enjoyable. I think Will Smith did a great job placing Peter. I actually like the black and white instead of color because it take us back a bit. As a person of faith I really enjoyed watching the film even though it was still very painful. This movie showcase slavery, perseverance and freedom a redemption story with a happy ending. I think the younger generation need to see this film and can learn more about black history. Bravo to the whole team.
  • authorkradir - 12 December 2022
    His Pain was palpable
    I enjoyed the realistic view of slavery n America. Someone had the guts and conviction to show truth. NOT ALL slaves were complicit. They fought and demanded to be treated as mankind not animals. That was Peter's convictions. He refused to be treated less than! I enjoyed seeing his voracious determination to be FREE and to be reunited with his family. Hollywood NEEDS to depict movies that show the truth about slavery. Some slaves fought and died for their dignity. Someone had the audacity to write a review calling Peter a disgruntle employee? How convoluted. I implore people to watch the film.