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Action drama

Emperor (2020): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Emperor (2020) movie poster

Emperor is a 2020 action drama directed by Mark Amin, starring Harry Lennix as Frederick Douglass, James Cromwell and Naturi Naughton. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes. Critics gave it 31% on Rotten Tomatoes and 39 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
31%
Echo Score
49
Metascore
39
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Emperor (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 39m (99 min)
Director
Mark Amin
Genres
Action , Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Emperor About?

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

A former slave's dangerous trek northward takes him on a path filled with unexpected encounters. Along the way, he crosses paths with influential figures like Frederick Douglass and John Brown, and becomes entangled in the fight for freedom and rebellion against the institution of slavery. The journey tests his resolve as he confronts the harsh realities of the era.

Emperor Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • slavery
  • escaped slave
  • runaway slave
  • john brown character
  • frederick douglass character
  • shields green character
  • plantation
  • pursuit
  • harper's ferry west virginia
  • virginia the state
  • charleston south carolina
  • underground railroad
+38 more
  • murder
  • father son relationship
  • murder of wife
  • bounty hunter
  • hanging
  • scaffolding
  • branding
  • hung upside down
  • gunfire
  • battle
  • shootout
  • cross
  • freedom
  • wound
  • horseback riding
  • murderess
  • wanted poster
  • african american
  • black american
  • mustached man
  • n word
  • mute man
  • bare chested male
  • man in a bathtub
  • reference to abraham lincoln
  • abolitionist
  • old woman
  • woods
  • swamp
  • wading in water
  • mother son relationship
  • american civil war
  • year 1859
  • photographs during closing credits
  • boy reads a book
  • baby
  • singer
  • singing
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Cast & crew

Emperor Cast & Characters

Harry Lennix leads the cast as Frederick Douglass, with James Cromwell as John Brown and Naturi Naughton as Sarah Green. Directed by Mark Amin; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Emperor

· 7 more
Ratings

Emperor Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Emperor 31% on Rotten Tomatoes and 39 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 49/100, strongest in sensory experience (60) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).

49 /100

Emperor Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Emperor delivers an uneven experience that combines competent technical elements with narrative and character shortcomings. Some reviewers applaud the film’s historical context and moments of thematic nuance, while many criticize the limited plot engagement and variable performances. The visual production and soundtrack support the period atmosphere, yet the pacing and emotional resonance do not consistently sustain attention. In sum, Emperor presents an intriguing premise but falls short of cohesive execution and may not fully engage a broad audience.

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

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s production design and visual consistency present a competent period atmosphere, but the direction and set execution often feel lackluster. Reviewers note sparse visual flair and occasional tonal flatness. While the cinematography and special effects are serviceable, the overall staging and editing lack dynamism. Consequently, the film’s technical polish remains modest and seldom elevates the narrative.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    Regarding character and emotion, performances receive mixed appraisals, with some leads delivering a credible presence while others register as underdeveloped. The central figures evoke occasional moral weight, yet the supporting cast and chemistry often lack depth. Critics and audiences cite limited character arcs and emotional resonance as persistent weaknesses. Overall, the film’s character work yields uneven engagement and seldom achieves sustained empathy.

  • Story & Flow 50

    When it comes to story and flow, the narrative’s pacing and structural choices divide opinion, with some noting thoughtful thematic exploration and others finding the plot uninspired. Observers highlight moments of lingering tension around moral questions but point to a lack of dramatic momentum and coherence. The subplot elements, including romantic developments, often feel superfluous. Consequently, the story’s balance between nuance and engagement remains unsettled and occasionally sluggish.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    In terms of sensory experience, the soundtrack and visual effects are generally praised for supporting the period setting without drawing undue attention. Sound design and score earn positive remarks for their unobtrusive complement to the drama. However, reviewers also describe the audio-visual landscape as serviceable rather than distinctive. Thus, the film’s sensory elements contribute appropriately to atmosphere but rarely stand out memorably.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    Regarding rewatch factor, the film’s appeal appears limited, with few reviewers indicating a strong desire to revisit subsequent viewings. The historical context and occasional moments of thematic depth provide some lasting interest, yet overall narrative issues and inconsistent character engagement reduce replay value. As a result, Emperor may hold modest appeal for those particularly intrigued by its subject but is unlikely to inspire frequent repeat viewings.

Plot

Emperor Plot Summary

What happens in Emperor from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 1859, on a Charleston, South Carolina plantation, Shields “Emperor” Green works under a brutal system when his master gambles away the property. A cruel new overseer tortures Sarah Green and whips his son Tommy. In a desperate act of retaliation, Shields kills the overseer and escapes, but his wife is tragically killed during the escape.

On the road north, Shields dodges capture as a bounty is placed on his head. The master and neighboring plantation owners hire bounty hunter Luke McCabe to bring him in, creating a tense manhunt that snakes through rural towns and lonely backroads.

Full summary

The whole story of Emperor, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Emperor Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Emperor.

EMPEROR | Official Trailer | In Theatres March 20
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Emperor?

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 nickname of the film's main protagonist, Shields Green?

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FAQ

Emperor FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

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

How long is Emperor?

Emperor runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).

When was Emperor released?

Emperor was released on August 18, 2020.

Who directed Emperor?

Emperor was directed by Mark Amin.

Who is in the cast of Emperor?

Emperor stars Harry Lennix as Frederick Douglass, James Cromwell as John Brown and Naturi Naughton as Sarah Green, among 11 credited actors.

How is Emperor rated?

Emperor has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 31% on Rotten Tomatoes, 39 on Metacritic and 76% on TMDB.

Does Emperor have a post-credit scene?

No. Emperor has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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