"'Antebellum' ends up being a noxious tour of historic violence against Black folks in service of a story that has nothing novel to say about the obliterating function of whiteness and anti-Black racism," she wrote. If you’re wondering what would happen if you crossed Craig Zobel’s The Hunt with that Confederate series D. B. Weiss and David Benioff wanted to make before HBO pulled the plug, the answer is definitely Antebellum, the … “I still have no idea who this film is supposed to be for, or why anyone could possibly think it was a good idea. She and the others all face instances of violence, like sexual assault and beatings, on the plantation daily. It’s not immediately clear, and even though figures from the plantation (a creepy little girl and a sadistic southern belle) show up unexpectedly in Veronica’s life, we’re still not sure where Eden and the plantation fit in. The ending of "Antebellum" is one we all hoped for but didn't expect. Warning: spoilers for the twist and ending of Antebellum are in play. While another woman is shot and killed, Eden is branded on her lower back by one of the plantation’s overseers. A vision of Veronica's ancestors? "You do feel hopeless and you can feel hopeless even in today's America. If this Black woman didn't come out heroic and victorious, I wasn't going to do it," Monáe says. But after she’s kidnapped on a work trip, it soon becomes clear that the first part of the movie wasn’t a dream or a vision of Veronica’s ancestors. At first, her only connection to Eden appears to be a nightmare she had early in the film, but she also encounters figures from the plantation. Spoiler alert! "Antebellum" is an extremely difficult watch, and there's certainly a lot to unpack in the film. I moved to the US from China — here are the biggest cultural differences I've noticed between the 2 countries, Bath & Body Works is now a standalone company — we visited a store and saw why it's been L Brands' secret weapon, CBA and NAB pass on RBA interest rate cut in full, but ANZ and Westpac defy Treasurer Josh Frydenberg's orders, How to watch Netflix on your TV in 5 different ways, The incredible story of Ferrari's 72-year journey from an upstart racing team to a $27 billion luxury brand, Warning: Major spoilers ahead for “Antebellum.”. "Endings matter. ), there's an airplane flying overhead and we definitely see a cellphone at least twice. I wasn't the greatest at U.S. history, but I could've sworn there were no planes in the 1800s, let alone cellphones. This twist is one of the movie’s biggest moments, and it appears the movie wants to position Veronica’s struggles to survive and reunite with her family as empowering. We see Veronica reign supreme in the end, saving not only herself but the rest of Black folks trapped on the plantation. She took issue with the fact that the film is unflinching in its portrayal of violence against Black women, but doesn’t offer any insight or meaning into the trauma the characters face. Writing for Vulture, critic Angelica Jade Bastién said that she is "tired of films like 'Antebellum.'" After suffering through enough trauma on the plantation, Julia takes her own life. The new horror film, starring Janelle Monáe, premieres Friday and is already making waves ahead … In fact, it’s only when Veronica is kidnapped on a work trip that the truth is revealed: The first part of the movie isn’t a dream or a flashback, but rather, Veronica’s new reality after she’s brought against her will to a Civil War-reenactment theme park called Antebellum. The woman at the start of the movie has a septum piercing, a pregnant Julia (Kiersey Clemons) recognizes Eden (Monáe) as being from Virginia and somewhat a prominent figure (how does she know?! It's a terrifying look back at the violent history of slavery — or at least, that's what it appears to be when Veronica (Monáe) wakes up next to her husband in the present day. The first half of the movie is kept purposefully vague — was it a dream? One of them, Amara (Achok Majak), runs away again in terror after watching the other men strap a device to another slave, Eli (Tongayi Chirisa). The new horror film, starring Janelle Monáe, premieres Friday and is already making waves ahead of its release. "'Antebellum' is ultimately a travesty of craft and filmmaking with a perspective that hollows out the Black experience in favor of wan horror," she concluded. Bastién's main point of contention with the film was that it uses Black trauma for shock value and as a means to an end — and not much else. She attempts to make her way to freedom and takes down anyone who stands in her way. The first two parts of the movie seem like separate narratives. Looking for smart ways to get more from life? The audacity. Throughout "Antebellum," we get hints the times are intertwined, one being when a sinister Elizabeth (Malone, whose character name is the same in both eras) video chats with Veronica. And each night, Eden is sexually assaulted by a white man, seemingly a Confederate general, who then sleeps in her bed with her. Account active Bastién criticized the movie's twist, which she called "banal," and expressed her frustration with the film overall. And Ciara Wardlow, in her review for Pajiba, shared similar criticisms of the film. Last chance to turn back before we spoil everything in this movie. Subscribe to our daily newsletter to get more of it. She and the others all face instances of violence, like sexual assault and beatings, on the plantation daily. “Antebellum” is an extremely difficult watch, and there’s certainly a lot to unpack in the film. “‘Antebellum’ ends up being a noxious tour of historic violence against Black folks in service of a story that has nothing novel to say about the obliterating function of whiteness and anti-Black racism,” she wrote. NOTE: This spoiler was submitted by Jeremy. '” Bastién criticised the movie’s twist, which she called “banal,” and expressed her frustration with the film overall. She took issue with the fact that the film is unflinching in its portrayal of violence against Black women, but doesn't offer any insight or meaning into the trauma the characters face. Like what you see here? Monáe also plays a Black enslaved woman named Eden who lives on a mysterious plantation. *CUT TO THE CHASE*. But near the end of the film, it's revealed that Veronica is Eden — they're the same person. If you’re not looking to spoil the specifics just yet, turn back around and head back to the outside world. It's then that the movie makes a drastic jump to modern-day, reintroducing Eden as Veronica, a wealthy, successful public speaker and author with a doting husband and adorable daughter. Janelle Monáe in "Antebellum." Starring Janelle Monáe, Jena Malone, Eric Lange and Jack Huston, "Antebellum" opens with scenes of a Civil War-era plantation. ", Review: Janelle Monae's 'Antebellum' tackles the horrors of slavery – with a rousing twist. The first half of the movie is kept purposefully vague — was it a dream? A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. When a new enslaved woman dies by suicide after being assaulted and losing her pregnancy, Eden decides to act and makes a covert plan (with a fellow enslaved man referred to only as "professor") to escape. Remembering the past is important, and entertainment plays an important role in shaping public memory,” she wrote, calling the film, “painful.”. Here’s a spoiler-filled breakdown of what exactly happens in “Antebellum” — and why some people aren’t happy with the film. The first two parts of the movie seem like separate narratives. The movie has a major twist that connects the two storylines. The audience watches as she's kidnapped on a work trip, and it soon becomes clear that the first part of the movie wasn't a dream or a vision of Veronica's ancestors. Veronica taking things into her own hands was more about justice than revenge, Bush says, adding that Black people "cannot rely upon the government or authorities to provide the justice we deserve." This post contains spoilers. The opening scenes of "Antebellum," a new horror movie starring Janelle Monáe, are brutal. The teaser was released a full five months before Antebellum graces theaters. “Lacking a strong point of view to grant interiority to its characters, its approach to horror and social commentary becomes deadened.”. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories, Watch a time-traveling Janelle Monáe take on Confederate soldiers and slave owners in the new trailer for 'Antebellum', Warning: Major spoilers ahead for "Antebellum.". Eden (Monáe), an enslaved woman on what is ostensibly a southern plantation, is brought back on horseback after attempting to escape. From there, the film picks up where the first part left off, and Veronica is eventually able to call her husband on a stolen cell phone and escape from the park, leaving most of the overseers dead. © 2020 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Remembering the past is important, and entertainment plays an important role in shaping public memory," she wrote, calling the film, "painful.". He says her triumph represents the "beauty of the resilience" in Black women generally, which comes at a great cost. Universal Pictures. "Antebellum" stars Janelle Monáe. Follow Business Insider Australia on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. The new horror film, starring Janelle Monáe, premieres Friday and is already making waves ahead … Upon arrival in the park, she's renamed Eden, and soon becomes the target of racist violence inflicted by white people who resent her intelligence and achievements. It's all the more confusing when these scenes are juxtaposed against a modern-day America, where Veronica Henley (also Monáe), a successful author, is tapped to speak at a conference in New Orleans. "The prestige slave film is a bad habit that needs to be broken. When a new enslaved woman dies by suicide after being assaulted and losing her pregnancy, Eden decides to act and makes a covert plan (with a fellow enslaved man referred to only as “professor”) to escape. Subscriber We see a drowsy Monáe being ushered in, draped over a horse, while Confederate soldiers try to violently prevent an enslaved Black woman from running away – but something is slightly off. A vision of Veronica’s ancestors? SPOILER WARNING: The following review reveals major spoilers for Antebellum, which hits PVOD on September 18. Some critics, however, have taken issue with the movie's plot. For the first forty minutes of the movie, the audience watches as Eden and the other enslaved people are sexually assaulted, beaten, and killed. "You don't get through this unscathed," Bush says. By Ciara Wardlow | Film | September 15, 2020 |. 'White men owe Black women peace':Janelle Monae on why 'Antebellum' is relevant. Upon arrival in the park, she’s renamed Eden, and soon becomes the target of racist violence inflicted by white people who resent her intelligence and achievements. The realisation that Monáe’s experience is real – and not a dream or vision – is one of the movie’s biggest twists. Here's what it was like. Some critics, however, have taken issue with the movie’s plot. For the first forty minutes of the movie, the audience watches as Eden and the other enslaved people are sexually assaulted, beaten, and killed. ANTEBELLUM. Janelle Monáe in "Antebellum." The film starts on what appears to be an 1800’s era antebellum plantation. Elizabeth compliments Veronica's Pat McGrath lipstick enviously, and she steals the lipstick shortly before kidnapping Veronica in an act of cultural appropriation. Most of the enslaved people who try to escape are shot and killed, their bodies dumped in a makeshift crematorium near the edge of the property. Eden/Veronica escapes her cabin while the plantation's owner known as "Him" (Lange) sleeps beside her. We see a drowsy Monáe being ushered in, … Eden (Monáe), an enslaved woman on what is ostensibly a southern plantation, is brought back on horseback after attempting to escape. "Antebellum" follows Monáe's character, Veronica. In fact, it's only when Veronica is kidnapped on a work trip that the truth is revealed: The first part of the movie isn't a dream or a flashback, but rather, Veronica's new reality after she's brought against her will to a Civil War-reenactment theme park called Antebellum. It is a grossly miscalculated waste of talent, resources, and time,” Wardlow wrote.

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