Watch Native Son

Native Son is a 2019 drama film directed by Rashid Johnson and adapted from Richard Wright’s 1940 novel. It stars Ashton Sanders as Bigger Thomas, a young man living on the South Side of Chicago who takes a job as a chauffeur for a wealthy white family. Margaret Qualley plays Mary Dalton, the daughter of the family, while Nick Robinson portrays Jan Erlone, Mary’s communist boyfriend who has a hidden plan to manipulate Bigger for his own political gain.

The film follows Bigger as he struggles to navigate his new job and the world of the Daltons, which is starkly different from his own impoverished existence. Through his interactions with Mary and Jan, Bigger begins to question the racial hierarchy of American society and the roles assigned to him and those around him. As tensions rise, Bigger becomes embroiled in a series of events that lead to dire consequences for himself and those he cares about.

One of the most striking aspects of Native Son is its visual style. Director Rashid Johnson, who is primarily known as a visual artist, brings a keen eye to the film’s aesthetic. Scenes are imbued with a dreamlike quality, as Bigger navigates through a world that is both alluring and dangerous. Johnson also incorporates elements of Wright’s own artwork into the film, using shadow and light to comment on the complexity of racial identity and the dangers of stereotype.

The performances in Native Son are also noteworthy. Ashton Sanders, who previously starred in the award-winning film Moonlight, gives a powerful performance as Bigger. He imbues the character with a simmering rage and a desire to escape the constraints placed upon him. Margaret Qualley is equally impressive as Mary, capturing the character’s naivete and inner turmoil. Nick Robinson, who is most well-known for his roles in Love, Simon and Jurassic World, brings a complexity to Jan that is both sympathetic and unsettling.

Overall, Native Son is a powerful film that explores the complexities of race, class, and identity in America. It is a thought-provoking work that asks difficult questions about privilege, power, and the legacy of racism in our society. The film’s beautiful cinematography, strong performances, and bold style make it a compelling addition to the canon of works inspired by Richard Wright’s groundbreaking novel.

Native Son is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7 and a MetaScore of 63.