Inspired by the gripping true story of a man who would do anything for his family—and for freedom. When Peter, an enslaved man, risks his life to escape and return to his family, he embarks on a perilous journey of love and endurance.
Cinematography
Desaturated to near-monochrome—every frame looks like suffering itself.
Acting
Smith's silent moments hit harder than his dialogue.
Practical Effects
Real Louisiana swamps, real leeches, real misery.
Director
Antoine Fuqua
Will Smith
Peter
Ben Foster
Jim Fassel
Charmaine Bingwa
Dodienne
Ronnie Gene Blevins
Harrington
Aaron Moten
Knowls
Jabbar Lewis
Tomas
Michael Luwoye
John
Steven Ogg
Howard
Grant Harvey
Leeds
Mustafa Shakir
Lt. Andrew Cailloux
Paul Ben-Victor
Major G. Halstead
David Denman
General William Dwight
Jesse C. Boyd
Mike Hurley
Imani Pullum
Betsy
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 'scourged back' photograph this film recreates became one of the most widely circulated images of the Civil War, proving slavery's brutality to skeptical Northern audiences.
Fuqua shot in actual Louisiana swamps where alligators had to be cleared daily; Will Smith called it the most physically demanding shoot of his career, including freezing water scenes that required emergency medical attention.
US
