Native Son

Name: Native Son
Genre: Drama
Released: April 6, 2019
Duration: 104 min
Rating: 63
Cast: Ashleigh Morghan, Ashton Sanders, Barbara Sukowa, Bill Camp, David Alan Grier

2019

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 17 Ratings

See All

5.5

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

5.5	Your Score
5.5	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 17 Ratings

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.

Native Son (Teaser Trailer)

Now Playing: Native Son (Teaser Trailer)

Movie Details & Credits

A24 | Release Date (Streaming): April 6, 2019 | TV-MA

Starring: Ashleigh Morghan, Ashton Sanders, Barbara Sukowa, Bill Camp, David Alan Grier, Elizabeth Marvel, Jerod Haynes, KiKi Layne, Lamar Johnson, Margaret Qualley, Nick Robinson, Sanaa Lathan, Stephen Henderson

Summary: Bigger “Big” Thomas, a young African American man, lives with his mother and siblings in Chicago. Half-heartedly involved with a girlfriend, he sports green hair and a punk jacket, smokes weed, and carries a pistol—but rebuffs his buddy’s “easy-money” scheme to knock off a corner store. Full of self-determination, Big accepts a job as theBigger “Big” Thomas, a young African American man, lives with his mother and siblings in Chicago. Half-heartedly involved with a girlfriend, he sports green hair and a punk jacket, smokes weed, and carries a pistol—but rebuffs his buddy’s “easy-money” scheme to knock off a corner store. Full of self-determination, Big accepts a job as the chauffeur for wealthy businessman Will Dalton’s family. Moving into their mansion, he begins driving Dalton’s vehemently progressive daughter, Mary. But his involvement in an accidental death places Big on a collision course with the powerful social forces pitted against him. [Sundance]… Expand

Director: Rashid Johnson

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: TV-MA

Runtime: 104 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

The Film Stage Jake Howell

Feb 2, 2019

It may have moments where it feels unwieldy—like a runaway train gone off its tracks—but it never flags for one second. A movie this bold doesn’t dare lose momentum. Read full review

Carlos Aguilar

Feb 2, 2019

A gut-punch of a debut that examines race relations in America with unabashed force, Johnson’s present-day interpretation proves, disgracefully, how pertinent Wright’s text remains. Read full review

The Guardian Benjamin Lee

Feb 2, 2019

It’s a fiery, flawed, often stunningly made film that provokes uncomfortable discussion, rather like the Richard Wright novel it was based on, although purists might argue over some key changes. Read full review

A.A. Dowd

Feb 2, 2019

The early stretch of the movie is its strongest, as Johnson lays out the bric-a-brac of Bigger’s life, which involves a good deal of code-switching, and carefully tweaks the novel’s key relationships, updating the condescension of his employer’s rich-kid daughter, Mary (Margaret Qualley), to a new era of white guilt and microaggressions. Read full review

The Playlist Gregory Ellwood

Feb 2, 2019

For every scene that doesn’t work there is another that’s spellbinding. It’s gutsy and provocative and, frankly, that’s a compliment you can’t give many independent films these days. Read full review

Mike Ryan

Feb 2, 2019

Sanders plays Bigger Thomas in such a unique, interesting way that I couldn’t help but be enthralled by his life. Unfortunately, the plot points in Wright’s novel, of all things, betray him. Read full review

Alissa Wilkinson

Feb 2, 2019

Though it has some problems as a film — some of which are part and parcel of translating a book to the screen — Native Son still packs a punch, one that connects directly with the gut. Read full review

SEE ALL 12 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

The3AcademySins

Jun 6, 2019

Native Son is an incredibly well adapted take on Richard Wright's influential novel. The acting from every member of the cast is superb. The Chicago scene is done very faithfully (especially since a lot of principal photography took place in Cleveland!) and the script has a very intellectualNative Son is an incredibly well adapted take on Richard Wright's influential novel. The acting from every member of the cast is superb. The Chicago scene is done very faithfully (especially since a lot of principal photography took place in Cleveland!) and the script has a very intellectual take on race and politics. This is a very smart, highly skilled movie, and I loved almost every second of it. The first half is a lot stronger than the second half in terms of story, but I was able to follow the actors and the direction through to the finish without any problems. If you love the novel "Native Son" then you will love this movie!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

GrantD243

May 12, 2019

My first A24 movie of 2019 and I gotta say I came away a little bit disappointed. I thought that the first half of the film was great. Plenty of social commentary, with a narrative that intrigued although at times felt like it was struggling to find its direction. The "incident" that propelsMy first A24 movie of 2019 and I gotta say I came away a little bit disappointed. I thought that the first half of the film was great. Plenty of social commentary, with a narrative that intrigued although at times felt like it was struggling to find its direction. The "incident" that propels the story to its conclusion in the third act, though, felt like an odd choice by the writer. It wasn't where I saw the main character's journey going, and while I can appreciate subverting expectations I felt like it weakened the film as a whole. I still like it, but I feel like it could have been so much better.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

JLuis_001

Apr 23, 2019

I've never read Native Son but I've always wanted to do it, maybe now after I've seen this adaptation I finally do it.

The book was published 80 years ago and for all I've heard about it still quite relevant and although the story of this film is obviously an update of the subject the bookI've never read Native Son but I've always wanted to do it, maybe now after I've seen this adaptation I finally do it.

The book was published 80 years ago and for all I've heard about it still quite relevant and although the story of this film is obviously an update of the subject the book relates, I honestly found it a bit empty and even kinda robotic.
I'm not so sure if that's the right word to make clear how I felt the story but I said this because even though the film begins very well and keeps a good style for most of the first part, it comes to a certain point in the second half where it gets lost and also the final part feels a bit shallow. I know it seems to try to give a message but it really doesn't.

It's the HBO quality but it didn't leave me completely satisfied… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

SEE ALL 3 REVIEWS