About the film (courtesy of Lionsgate):
Successful author Veronica Henley (Janelle Monáe) finds herself trapped in a horrifying reality and must uncover the mind-bending mystery before it’s too late.
It all boils down to this. Antebellum fell short of the expectations I had going going into this. Part of the blame can be placed squarely on the shoulders of Lionsgate and their respective marketing teams. Why is that? Associating this new work with previous breakout films by touting “from the producer of the acclaimed films Get Out and Us,” sets the bar to an height that the vast majority of releases never reach.
The mystery and intrigue of what’s really going on in Antebellum is where the true draw is for this thriller. A short and vague synopsis coupled with trailers/promos that reveal very little tend to feed active imaginations. And if that doesn’t whet the appetite enough, this feature starts off, and continues on for a good chunk of time, in a way that will make you wonder if you dozed off for a bit and missed some key information. Slowly, the backstory is presented bringing everything into focus.
The effort is there starting with co-directors and co-writers Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz. Given that Antebellum is their first feature length work, the duo gives audiences something to gnaw on that can’t be quickly digested. Bringing in talented actors such as Janelle Monáe, Jena Malone, Kiersey Clemons, Gabourey Sidibe and Jack Huston helps to provide convincing depth and overall quality to this hopeful horror mystery.
Sadly though, the execution is not up to par with what many will be hoping for based on the peddling of this product by advertisements. I feel like Antebellum suffers from going through the motions at times making sure that certain boxes are checked to make sure to elicit certain responses and “feels” from the audience. And for that, it loses credibility in wanting to be an edgy thriller.
Maybe the downfall of Antebellum is that it came a couple of years too late. Audiences are conditioned for these types of movies, therefore the shock factor isn’t there. Perfection is never something I’m outwardly seeking because it’s usually extremely unrealistic. What should be present is a plot that pulls you in and keeps you entertained and not seeking ways out once you get there. Unfortunately, but not terribly surprisingly, this one falls short of those aforementioned expectations.
Antebellum is an “alright” movie choice, especially in a time where pickings are slim depending on what state you live in. Even so, and maybe even more so due to the elevated cost to watch this in the comfort of your own home via premium on demand, the value is questionable based on what you’re getting for your dollar is not quite what it should be. Antebellum has a few solid cinematic moments, but overall it’s more a watch at home for a much lesser negotiated price. Either way, you can check it right now on premium video on demand if you’re craving something new and slightly different.
