Emperor

Name: Emperor
Genre: Action, Drama
Released: August 18, 2020
Duration: 99 min
Rating: 39
Cast: Ben Robson, Bruce Dern, Harry Lennix, James Cromwell, Katerina Graham

2020

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 4 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

No score yet

tbd

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

tbd	Your Score
tbd	User Score No score yet

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Emperor

Now Playing: Emperor

Movie Details & Credits

Briarcliff Entertainment | Release Date (Streaming): August 18, 2020 | PG-13

Starring: Ben Robson, Bruce Dern, Harry Lennix, James Cromwell, Katerina Graham, Keean Johnson, M.C. Gainey, Mark Ashworth, Mykelti Williamson, Naturi Naughton, Paul Scheer

Summary: An escaped slave travels north and has chance encounters with Frederick Douglass and John Brown. Based on the life story of Shields Green.

Director: Mark Amin

Genre(s): Action, Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 99 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Peter Debruge

Aug 19, 2020

A striking discovery, Dayo Okeniyi will be unfamiliar to most in the lead role. He played a small part as District 11 tribute Thresh in “The Hunger Games,” and appears opposite Jennifer Lopez in “Shades of Blue,” but Emperor is effectively his breakout, which makes him feel as much a revelation to audiences as Green’s story will be. Read full review

Glenn Kenny

Aug 19, 2020

Okeniyi has a strong presence that conveys a genuine moral authority. Read full review

John DeFore

Aug 20, 2020

Emperor has difficulty mustering a seriousness to match its subject. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Simon Abrams

Aug 19, 2020

Emperor is lousy in the same way that many other mediocre slave narratives are: it re-presents a dark period in American history without being inspired or insightful enough to be worth your curiosity or emotional investment. Read full review

SEE ALL 4 REVIEWS

Write a Review

Negative:

User Reviews

debie

Apr 25, 2021

Not historically accurate but entertaining enough. They took quite a lot of liberties with the beginning and end of the story, making up details of Shields Green's life and completely changing the outcome of his plight. But besides all the historical inaccuracies, if you just wanted to watchNot historically accurate but entertaining enough. They took quite a lot of liberties with the beginning and end of the story, making up details of Shields Green's life and completely changing the outcome of his plight. But besides all the historical inaccuracies, if you just wanted to watch it for pure entertainment... the script was a bit weak, which made it hard for the actors to shine. Even though there were some big named actors, many performances were average due to the poor script, lack of character development, weak direction, and lackluster sets. While watching, I was drawn into wanting to see the outcome of Shields' trek to freedom (but I was disappointed to find out after the fact that most of what happened in the movie did not happen in real life.) It was watchable but could have been so much better, IMHO! 2.3 stars… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Sep 27, 2020

Although set in a different era, this film feels like 12 Years a Slave and The Birth of a Nation, but devalued in terms of seriousness, even when the subject matter is so grim.

And the inaccuracy is the least of its problems. But maybe it will get someone interested in the story of the mainAlthough set in a different era, this film feels like 12 Years a Slave and The Birth of a Nation, but devalued in terms of seriousness, even when the subject matter is so grim.

And the inaccuracy is the least of its problems. But maybe it will get someone interested in the story of the main character. I can say it did it with me.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 2 REVIEWS