40 Acres Review: Danielle Deadwyler Shines in a Gripping Post-Apocalyptic Thriller

In a post-apocalyptic world, people often split into two camps: those determined to survive at any cost and others who believe prolonging life only extends the suffering. Hailey Freeman, portrayed by Danielle Deadwyler in 40 Acres, is firmly in the survivalist camp. Her heritage traces back to her great-great-grandfather, a slave who escaped a plantation and journeyed to Canada to start anew. Now, Hailey not only owns the land but also leverages her military background to fend off violent, cannibalistic marauders in this dystopian landscape—all while Deadwyler delivers an exceptional performance, a fact that’s surprising given her lack of an Oscar nomination for Till.

Set 14 years after a devastating fungal pandemic has wiped out all animal life, 40 Acres plays out largely as a home invasion thriller. Unfortunately, not everyone has embraced veganism; savage cannibals roam in packs, sporting human body parts as grisly trophies. On the farm, Hailey lives with her partner Galen (Michael Greyeyes), his daughter, their kids, and her teenage son Manny (Kataem O’Connor). Galen, who is of Indigenous descent, is teaching the family the Cree language. To ensure their survival, Hailey maintains strict discipline, running her household like a military operation with daily push-ups and regimented structure. Deadwyler delivers a solid performance, her expressive eyes showcasing both Hailey’s resilience and the perpetual fear she faces.

While Deadwyler’s performance is the film’s heart, the plot itself tends toward predictability, particularly in Manny’s teenage rebellion against his mother. Some unnecessary flashbacks further disrupt the tension, which is unfortunate because debut director RT Thorne effectively orchestrates the suspenseful cat-and-mouse dynamic between the family and the invaders. The film also explores meaningful themes related to Black and Indigenous experiences, addressing issues like displacement and generational trauma within a survival narrative.

40 Acres is now playing in UK cinemas and streaming on MGM+ as of August 1.