ANTEBELLUM

Antebellum

Initial release date: September 18, 2020 (PVOD)

Studio: Lionsgate

Plot: Successful author Veronica Henley is finishing a book tour before she returns home to her husband and daughter. But a shocking turn of events is about to upend Veronica’s existence, plunging her into a horrifying reality that forces her to confront her past, present and future - before it’s too late.

Cast

Janelle Moore (Harriet) - Veronica/Eden

Eric Lange (The Empty Man) - Him

Jena Malone (The Public) - Elizabeth

Jack Huston (The Irishman) - Capt. Jasper

Kiersey Clemons (Zack Snyder’s Justice League) - Julia

Gabourney Sidibe (TVs Empire) - Dawn

Marque Richardson - Nick

Tongayi Chirisa (Hulu’s Palm Springs) - Eli/Professor

Robert Aramayo (The Empty Man) - Daniel

Lily Cowles - Sarah

Writer/director: Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz (feature film debuts for both)

Rated R for disturbing violent content, language and sexual references (105 minutes)

There is really not a whole lot to say about the thriller “Antebellum.” There are a few moments in the movie that can be a little chilling. Some of the score can be downright chilling, which actually does a decent job setting up the mood for the movie.

The concept of the thriller is really good and interesting. Yet, they could have done so much more to it. If you watch the trailer for the movie, it gives off a supernatural vibe to it. And, there is nothing supernatural about the movie. So, either the studio did this to throw the twist of the movie off or did it just to get people to see the movie.

There is only one major twist throughout the entire movie. And, honestly, it was kinda too predictable. Once the major clues to the twist start popping up, the twist is just a dead giveaway.

Here are a few interesting tidbits about “Antebellum”:

• Gerard Bush got the idea from a nightmare he once had. He initially thought it would be a good basis for a short story, but he later developed it with co-director Christopher Renz into a screenplay for a feature film.

• Despite the marketing implying otherwise (“from the producer of ‘Us’ and ‘Get Out’”), Jordan Peele had no direct involvement with this movie. The producer in question is Sean McKittrick, who also produced both those movies.

• The directorial debut of both directors, who had both only directed short films and music videos prior.

• The butterfly motif on the posters is an intentional homage to “The Butterfly Effect” and “The Silence of the Lambs.”

• “Antebellum” was released through VOD in the US on September 18, 2020, while still playing in theaters in select countries. The movie was originally scheduled to be released on April 24, 2020, but was pulled off the schedule due to the pandemic, then was rescheduled for Aug. 21, before being pulled off the schedule yet again in July 2020.

• In its debut weekend, “Antebellum” was No. 1 most rented title across film and TV on Amazon Prime Video, and No. 1 rented film on FandangoNow and AppleTV and 3rd on Google Play.

• IndieWire estimated that if about 500,000 homes rented the movie, it would result in $8 million for the studio.

• In October 2020, The Hollywood Reporter said the movie was the 6th most popular PVOD title amid the pandemic.

• Made only $6.8 million worldwide.