NATIVE SON: SUNDANCE TO HBO
The Film Is Based On Richard Wright’s 1940 Novel
Ashton Sanders didn’t become a household name when he gave his complex performance as a teenage Chiron in Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight. What a shame. But that is all going to change when Rashid Johnson’s Native Son hits HBO on April 6.
The film is based on the 1940 novel of the same name by Richard Wright. Its protagonist, Bigger (Sanders), faces challenges involving race and class. He has to navigate a world of predestined outcomes. Bigger seemingly falls into luck when the rich, white Dalton family hires him to be its driver. Mary Dalton (Margaret Qualley) takes a liking to the newest addition of her family’s staff. Events spiral out of control — and as one could guess, not in favor of Bigger.
Native Son debuted at Sundance Film Festival in January, but HBO picked up the A24 film before its premiere. Maybe it’s the heartbreaking story with themes that echo in today’s society resonated with the acquisition team. Though its source material is rooted in the ’40s, playwright Suzan-Lori Parks modernizes it without defining the era in which the film takes place. That enforces the universality of the story, and it’s one we often hear and see played out in the modern era.
Alongside Sanders is a cast of newcomers and established veterans. Qualley is someone to keep on your radar. She’s slated for a recurring role in FX’s Fosse and Verdon, and she will star in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. Breakout star Kiki Layne (from Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk) will play Bessie. Perhaps the biggest name in the film is Stephen McKinley Henderson, who is known for his wise roles in films like Fences and Lady Bird.
The film is sure to be a standout among all streaming platforms. For those who haven’t read the book, there’s still time before its premiere. Nevertheless, this is one film you’re not going to want to miss.
