‘40 Acres’ Review: Danielle Deadwyler Is a Steely Matriarch Protecting Her Own in Riveting Post-Apocalyptic Thriller

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In a world where land is highly prized, the Freemans strictly follow a policy of self-imposed seclusion. The close-knit family at the heart of R.T. Thorne’s tense debut novel “40 Acres” confine their activities solely to their farm, a vast expanse in rural Canada enclosed by barbed wire fences, and they avoid interaction with other survivors in this perilous post-apocalyptic era. Guided by the determined leadership of Hailey (played impressively by Danielle Deadwyler) and Galen (Michael Greyeyes, equally compelling), the Freeman offspring spend their days cultivating crops, undergoing rigorous military training, and learning about the customs of their Black and Indigenous forebears.

However, the peaceful life of the Freeman family is disrupted when Emanuel (Kataem O’Connor), the oldest child, encounters a distressed woman seeking aid from his kin.

Drawing inspiration from various relatable sources, particularly the writings of Octavia Butler, Thorne constructs a gripping tale about the Freeman family’s struggle to endure in a world devastated by disease, famine, and a violent civil war. In the film “40 Acres“, set for release this week by Magnolia Pictures following its debut at the Toronto Film Festival last year, Thorne expands upon the racial and ecological politics that drive Butler’s most prophetic narratives. Much like the American science fiction author, the Canadian director scrutinizes these themes through the gripping perspective of a tumultuous family saga. Similar to the protagonist of “Parable of the Sower“, referenced in “40 Acres“, Emmanuel grapples with his contrasting views towards the world compared to those of his parents and seeks a sense of belonging beyond the Freeman colony.

40 Acres begins by establishing a backstory filled with elaborate world-building details. A title card explains the current state of the world; it resembles an additional section from the Biblical plagues. Over 14 years ago, a fungal disease wiped out over 90% of the animal kingdom. This triggered a global food chain collapse and eventually led to civil unrest. Subsequently, famine ensued, making arable land highly sought after. The farmland that Hailey, Galen, and their four children – Emanuel (O’Connor), Raine (Leenah Robinson), Danis (Jaeda LeBlanc), and Cookie (Haile Amre) – inhabit is an inheritance from their ancestors, who fought for freedom. This land represents a long-standing promise made by the U.S. government after the Civil War to compensate former slaves, although that promise was never fully realized. Consequently, Hailey values her farmland highly and has no intention of sharing its resources with anyone else.

In Thorne’s novel, which he collaborated on with Glenn Taylor and Lora Campbell, the story unfolds through a series of chapters. Initially, these chapters depict the daily life of the Freeman family, offering insight into their farm activities. The director’s past in music videos is noticeable in these instances, as seen when he synchronizes Emanuel’s initial explorations of the farm with k-os’ song “Neutroniks,” a track whose lyrics mirror the young adult’s deep-seated existential concerns. Unlike his mother and stepfather, Emanuel yearns for contact with other survivors. When he stumbles upon Dawn (Milcania Diaz-Rojas) swimming in her favorite woodland pond, he watches her with a longing that echoes the desperation of those seeking companionship.

In the gripping story of “40 Acres,” I, as a resident, find myself constantly on edge due to a string of baffling deaths and vanishances among our neighboring farms. When not guiding my kids on self-defense tactics, I’m manning the radio. One fateful day, I receive news that the Flemings, our neighbors, have met a gruesome end. This grisly tale of their murder sends shockwaves through our community, revealing a brutal, cannibalistic militia on the loose. This revelation pushes us Freemans into a state of high alert, and I instruct my children to treat strangers with extreme caution, prioritizing immediate action over questioning.

As a devoted fan, I can’t imagine myself being indifferent to such a situation. If I were Emmanuel, finding Dawn bloodied and terrified at our farm gate would have sent me into action. Hiding her in the barn was my immediate response, unaware of the chain reaction of catastrophic events that this simple act would trigger. These events threatened not only Dawn’s safety but also the survival of our family and our cherished land.

Generally speaking, Thorne’s direction is confidently balanced, skillfully switching between the intense suspense of the main narrative and the comical aspects of its side stories. The filmmaker doesn’t overemphasize the genre’s conventions; instead, he injects humor into 40 Acres, making the central characters more relatable. Despite their struggle for survival, these family members still find moments to laugh at the dinner table or joke during training. It’s also thrilling to watch how the director combines Black and Indigenous folklore, highlighting the shared experiences of historically oppressed groups in American history.

As a gamer immersed in a storyline, I find Deadwyler’s portrayal captivating as she brings to life a steel-hearted woman grappling with the harsh realities of war and attempting to shield her innocent kids from its horrors. It’s refreshing to witness this versatile actress, known for her strong, resolute roles, showcase softer, even comical facets of her character.

As a gamer, I found “40 Acres” intriguing yet somewhat vague in its world-building. The filmmakers, Thorne, Peter Cosco, and Jeremy Benning, did an impressive job creating a believable post-apocalyptic setting by meticulously designing the Freeman’s living space and utilizing expansive shots of dense forests filmed on a farm in northern Ontario. However, I was left yearning for more information about the rules governing this world or the motives behind the hostile militia attempting to seize the farmland. While hints are dropped through casual dialogue and Hailey’s demeanor, I found myself questioning the identities of these people and their roles beyond serving as obstacles for our protagonists. This ambiguity slightly diminished the impact of an otherwise compelling film.

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2025-07-03 20:24