I tried to have this watched and written during Black History Month, but mental health issues and depression always seem to get in the way of my self-imposed deadlines. Fed is best and late is better than never.

Antebellum (2020) is a psychological horror film written and directed by duo Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz. It stars Janelle Monae as a sociologist who finds herself trapped on a plantation in Confederate Louisiana.

The A24 film was sent to digital release hell because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and I think that is why we don’t hear enough about this film or the actors performances.

First off, this is a brutal and hard to watch film for someone who is empathetic and emotionally charged in their suspension of disbelief. While I don’t want to give anything away, the ending is very satisfying. Where some people might get dissuaded by the time-travel aspect of the film, it is very important to understanding how our past haunts us and seeps into the fabric of our future lives. How some people can’t escape their history and others embrace it.

I felt this was a very important film, especially in a time where we see large groups of individuals still being persecuted in this country based on the color of their skin or their beliefs. We see the same types of violence on television with the current administration’s ICE raids and foreign policy. The genocide of people and their history in order for a few to remain comfortable in their power or cover up the sins of themselves and their fathers.

We can’t talk about this film without talking about the incredible performances by actresses Janelle Monae and Jena Malone (try saying both of those names 5 times fast). I have been a fan of Malone since Donnie Darko (2001) and seeing her name on a cast list typically means you’re in for a good time. She’s also taken this turn to horror that plays off that All-American girl next door quality she has and makes it feel sinister, even when she’s a sympathetic character. But the real horror in Antebellum comes from Monae’s performance. It is heartbreaking and hard to watch because she brings such emption and reality to the role. Janelle Monae doesn’t have a lot of horror roles under her belt, but with this film and her social media presence she has quickly become a rising star in the horror community. I remember the Shudder channel letting her curate a list of films to watch and every single one was something every true horror fan should watch.

I can’t state how impactful this film was to watch during February, but it really helped to solidify how important it is to celebrate Black History Month in my opinion. This is one of those works that should be taught in African American literature courses alongside pieces like I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Beloved, or Their Eyes Were Watching God.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Check it out from the Cabell County Public Library.

https://cabellcounty.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/test

*THIS POST AND THE A to Z Horror REVIEWS ARE NOT PROVIDED, ENDORSED, or SPONSORED by Cabell County Public Library*

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