Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Horror thriller

Antebellum (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Antebellum (2020) movie poster

Antebellum is a 2020 horror thriller directed by Christopher Renz and Gerard Bush, starring Jack Huston as Captain Jasper, Janelle Monáe and Eric Lange. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes and earned $7.8 million worldwide on a $15 million budget. Critics gave it 31% on Rotten Tomatoes and 43 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.

IMDb rating
5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
31%
worldwide gross
$7.8M
Echo Score
58
Loading streaming availability…
Antebellum (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 45m (105 min)
Genres
Thriller , Horror , Comedy
Original language
English
Budget
$15M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Antebellum About?

The premise of Antebellum without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Bestselling author Veronica Henley finds her life upended by a disturbing and inexplicable turn of events. Thrust into a terrifying and unfamiliar reality, she's forced to confront a sinister mystery that blurs the lines between different eras. To survive, Veronica must unravel the truth and fight to escape a horrifying ordeal that tests the very foundation of her identity and challenges her understanding of the past and present.

Antebellum Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • lipstick
  • rape
  • slave
  • kidnapping
  • picking cotton
  • cotton plantation
  • racism
  • long take
  • slow motion scene
  • restaurant
  • taking a selfie
  • uber
+38 more
  • airplane
  • cell phone
  • escape
  • girls night out
  • creaking floor boards
  • ankle tattoo
  • confederate flag
  • man wrapped in a flag
  • burned alive
  • american civil war
  • antebellum south
  • hotel suite
  • female slave
  • offscreen suicide
  • slavery
  • violence
  • confederate army
  • suicide
  • suicide by hanging
  • whistling
  • woman with a gun
  • woods
  • brutality
  • civil war reenactment park
  • civil war reenactment
  • vodka cranberry
  • rape and revenge
  • anachronism
  • deliberate anachronism
  • forbidden to speak
  • meeting an old friend
  • flowers with a note
  • southern plantation
  • child's drawing
  • captivity
  • stealing a cell phone
  • interracial rape
  • stealing a horse
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Antebellum Cast & Characters

Jack Huston leads the cast as Captain Jasper, with Janelle Monáe as Veronica, Eden and Eric Lange as Him, Senator Denton. Directed by Christopher Renz and Gerard Bush; 11 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Antebellum Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Antebellum 31% on Rotten Tomatoes and 43 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 58/100, strongest in sensory experience (78) and weakest in rewatch factor (38).

58 /100

Antebellum Echo Score Breakdown

In overall terms, Antebellum delivers potent social commentary through striking visuals and immersive sound design but suffers from uneven narrative cohesion and character development. While its shocking depictions and conceptual ambition garner praise for originality, critics and viewers alike note a disjointed structure and artificial execution. The film’s sensory strengths are tempered by a convoluted plot and limited emotional depth, resulting in a mixed net impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 72

    In terms of Art & Craft, Antebellum’s visual composition is often striking. Critics praise its bold production design and measured editing that underscore the film’s unsettling atmosphere. A number of viewers noted the polished cinematography and nuanced framing, though some describe the color palette as overly stark. Overall, its visual craftsmanship leaves a memorable but uneven impression.

  • Character & Emotion 58

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, performances are uneven in depth. Janelle Monáe’s portrayal is frequently cited as reliable and engaging, yet supporting roles at times feel underdeveloped or two-dimensional. User feedback highlights moments of authentic emotional resonance but also notes artificial chemistry and sporadic lapses in acting quality. In sum, character engagement remains mixed.

  • Story & Flow 45

    In terms of Story & Flow, the film’s premise is original but suffers from pacing irregularities. The initial setup intrigues with its twist-driven structure and thematic ambition, yet narrative cohesion falters in the film’s middle sections. Several reviewers describe the plot as disjointed and heavy-handed, with the twist feeling contrived. Ultimately, the storytelling proves uneven and occasionally perplexing.

  • Sensory Experience 78

    When it comes to Sensory Experience, Antebellum excels with an eerie soundtrack and cohesive sound design that heighten tension. Critics and some viewers commend the striking visual style and immersive audio cues, while a few note that sensational tonal shifts can undercut emotional impact. The film’s polished sensory elements consistently reinforce its haunting atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 38

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, Antebellum’s initial impact is strong but diminishes on subsequent viewings. The shock value and thematic revelations lose potency once the twist is known, and noted narrative gaps become more apparent. While the film’s stylistic boldness remains appreciable, its structural flaws and flat character arcs limit enduring appeal and replay value.

Plot

Antebellum Plot Summary

What happens in Antebellum from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The story unfolds on an antebellum plantation set in the 1800s, where Confederate troops, led by Jack Huston as Captain Jasper, capture runaway slaves. The tension escalates as Jasper chases a terrified slave named Amara (Achok Majak), ultimately deciding her fate with a tragic shot to the head after she pleads for death over a return to bondage.

Full summary

The whole story of Antebellum, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Antebellum Box Office & Budget

Antebellum grossed $7.8 million worldwide on a $15 million budget, 52% of what it cost.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$7.8M

52% of its budget back

International
$7.8M
Budget
$15M
Videos

Antebellum Trailers & Videos

9 videos: 3 trailers, 1 teaser and 5 clips.

All 9 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer New Trailer
  • Trailer Official Final Trailer
  • Teaser Official Teaser
  • Clip Antebellum (2020 Movie) Official Clip "Not Always What They Appear To Be" – Janelle Monáe
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Antebellum?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the plantation overseer in 'Antebellum'?

Details

Antebellum Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “Elegida” and “앤터벨룸”.

Also known as
  • Elegida
  • 앤터벨룸
  • Antebellum: A Escolhida
  • A Escolhida
  • 内战前
  • Избраната
  • Vyvolená
  • Антебеллум
  • אנטבלום
  • Antebellum – A Escolhida
  • 안테벨룸
  • Antebellum: Η Εκλεκτή
+9 more
  • 顫役輪迴
  • Antebellum: Išrinktoji
  • Bẫy Thực Tại Kinh Hoàng
  • 顫·役·前
  • Antebellum: Izredzētā
  • หลอน ย้อน โลก
  • Antebellum: A kiválasztott
  • Antebellum: Te-a ales
  • アンテベラム, ომამდელი

Seen Antebellum?

FAQ

Antebellum FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Antebellum, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Antebellum?

Antebellum runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).

When was Antebellum released?

Antebellum was released on September 18, 2020.

Who directed Antebellum?

Antebellum was directed by Christopher Renz and Gerard Bush.

Who is in the cast of Antebellum?

Antebellum stars Jack Huston as Captain Jasper, Janelle Monáe as Veronica, Eden and Eric Lange as Him, Senator Denton, among 11 credited actors.

How much did Antebellum make at the box office?

Antebellum grossed $7.8 million worldwide on a budget of $15 million.

How is Antebellum rated?

Antebellum has 5.8/10 on IMDb, 31% on Rotten Tomatoes, 43 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

Does Antebellum have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Antebellum has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app