A gripping post-apocalypticactionthriller has now cemented itself as one of the best movies of the year. While Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s return to the ragingzombie-infested world of28 Years Latermay have taken all the attention and headlines, a lesser-known genre outing has proven itself to be just as expertly put together as it combines action, horror, and contemporary themes to create something awe-inspiring. Which is now reflected in its near-perfect “certified fresh” score of 91% on the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes.
As well as cementing itself as one of the best action thrillers in years,WatchmenandCarry-OnstarDanielle Deadwyler continues to cement herselfas one of the genre’s best action heroes, transforming into a mother who must fight to protect her family from mysterious post-apocalyptic savages.
Danielle Deadwyler Takes Aim at Cannibals in the Politically Charged Thriller ‘40 Acres’
Danielle Deadwyler stars in this politically charged thriller, about Black and Indigenous farmers defending their land in the post-apocalypse.
Written and directed by R. T. Thorne in his feature film directorial debut, the movie is40 Acresand stars Danielle Deadwyler in the leadas the descendant of African American farmers who settled in rural Canada all the way back in 1875. Now, 200 years later, she must fight to defend what’s hers in a post-apocalyptic world full of villains trying to take it. Co-starring Kataem O’Connor, Jaeda LeBlanc, and Michael Greyeyes alongside Deadwyler,40 Acresfinally hit theaters earlier this month, and you can check out the official synopsis below.
“After a series of plagues and wars leaves society in ruins, the Freemans are surviving — even thriving — on a farm in the middle of nowhere… so long as they repel the occasional raiding party. Former soldier Hailey (Danielle Deadwyler) and her partner Galen (Michael Greyeyes) fled the collapse along with their children, training them to fight (and, yes, kill). But now Hailey’s eldest Emanuel (Kataem O’Connor) is a young man, and when he meets a young woman (Milcania Diaz-Rojas) in the forest beyond the fence, his need for human contact could place the whole family in jeopardy.”
The reviews and reactions to40 Acreshave been glowing,with the thriller having now been“certified fresh” with a hugely promising score of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes alongside an equally impressive 88% from audiences on the Popcornmeter. Praise has been heaped on Danielle Deadwyler in the lead, with Amanda Sink of The Hollywood Outsider saying…
Anchored by a powerful performance from Danielle Deadwyler, 40 Acres is a gripping and emotionally resonant post-apocalyptic thriller that masterfully blends high-stakes action with deep themes of family, loyalty, and the human need for connection.
The applause for Deadwyler continues courtesy of Devan Suber of IGN, who said, “Danielle Deadwyler reiterates her power as an actor: in the lead role she’s badass yet warm, with a talent for one-liners to boot,” before adding that 40 Acres boasts “cheer-worthy action scenes” and makes a “great companion piece to28 Years Later.” Echoing these sentiments is RogerEbert.com’s Cortlyn Kelly, who concluded, “Danielle Deadwyler yet again elevates everyone around her.” G. Allen Johnson of San Francisco Chronicleheaped praise on the action on displayin40 Acres, calling it “so creative, so visceral and unlike anything” they’ve ever seen before.
There’s an eye-popping action sequence in the second half of the scintillating post-apocalyptic thriller “40 Acres” that is so creative, so visceral and unlike anything I’ve ever seen in a movie before, that it alone is worth the price of a ticket.
Finally, and saving the best for last, Anne Brodie of What She Said awarded40 Acresa perfect 4/4 before calling the post-apocalypticaction thriller “one of the best films around.”
R.T. Thorne’s empathy comes through. Spellbinding, balletic, its a fully realised, striking and challenging creation and one of the best films around.
