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Action drama

Harriet (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Harriet (2019) movie poster

Harriet is a 2019 action drama directed by Kasi Lemmons, starring Cynthia Erivo as Harriet, Minty, Joseph Lee Anderson and Joe Alwyn. It runs 2 hours 5 minutes and earned $43.3 million worldwide on a $17 million budget. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 74% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
74%
worldwide gross
$43.3M
award nominations
7
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Harriet (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 5m (125 min)
Director
Kasi Lemmons
Genres
Action , Biography , Drama , History
Original language
English
Budget
$17M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Harriet About?

The premise of Harriet without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Fueled by courage and an unwavering resolve, Harriet Tubman bravely escapes slavery and dedicates her life to liberating others. She journeys through dangerous terrain, risking her own freedom to guide countless enslaved people to safety along the Underground Railroad, ultimately becoming a symbol of hope and a legendary figure in American history.

Harriet Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • slavery
  • underground railroad
  • african american
  • harriet tubman character
  • antebellum america
  • mother daughter relationship
  • american civil war
  • 19th century
  • no opening credits
  • based on true story
  • title spoken by character
  • character name in title
+38 more
  • f rated
  • title directed by female
  • escaped slave
  • narcoleptic
  • chase
  • pursuit
  • bridge
  • jumping off a bridge
  • jumping into a river
  • wading across a river
  • freedom
  • family relationships
  • father daughter relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • father son relationship
  • baby
  • black and white scene
  • flashback
  • flash forward
  • boat
  • horse
  • horse and wagon
  • horse and carriage
  • running
  • horseback riding
  • gun
  • rifle
  • pistol
  • husband wife relationship
  • kiss
  • bath
  • woman in a bathtub
  • girl
  • bound and gagged
  • murder
  • man murders a woman
  • man hits a woman
  • pounding on a door
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Cast & crew

Harriet Cast & Characters

Cynthia Erivo leads the cast as Harriet, Minty, with Joseph Lee Anderson as Robert Ross and Joe Alwyn as Gideon Brodess. Directed by Kasi Lemmons; 17 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Kasi Lemmons

More films directed by Kasi Lemmons, best-rated first: Eve's Bayou, Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody, The Caveman's Valentine and Black Nativity.

Full filmography
Ratings

Harriet Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Harriet 74% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 62/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

62 /100

Harriet Echo Score Breakdown

The film’s central strength rests in its dedicated lead performance and polished visual presentation, though its cautious adherence to biopic conventions limits dramatic momentum. Production design and cinematography often deliver clear, grounded imagery, but intermittent lapses in narrative flow and originality undermine deeper engagement. Direction balances moments of fervent intensity with underplayed sequences that feel safe rather than bold. Overall, Harriet manifests commendable craftsmanship and emotional sincerity while remaining somewhat restrained in its storytelling ambitions.

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

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of art and craft, Harriet presents generally polished production values and thoughtful visual framing. Cinematography gains praise for its steady compositions and period detail, while certain editing choices introduce occasional abrupt transitions. Direction provides respectable energy but often defaults to conventional staging rather than daring stylistic shifts. Overall, the film’s craft elements remain solid and serviceable without reaching memorable heights in innovation.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film benefits from a committed lead performance that anchors key moments with sincerity and conviction. Supporting portrayals offer varying depth, contributing empathy during pivotal scenes while occasionally lacking fuller development. Emotional resonance peaks in scenes of personal struggle, yet some relational dynamics feel underexplored. In sum, strong acting fosters genuine engagement even if certain character arcs could have been expanded further.

  • Story & Flow 55

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative follows a familiar biopic structure that provides clarity but limits originality. Pacing fluctuates between measured exposition and abrupt leaps, resulting in occasional disjointed progression. The script highlights significant events yet sometimes sacrifices nuanced exploration for broad strokes of inspirational messaging. Ultimately, the storyline delivers essential information and inspiring moments but struggles to sustain cohesive momentum throughout its runtime.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film offers a sleek visual palette and dependable period atmosphere. The score and sound design uphold a subdued but supportive presence, underscoring key emotional beats without overwhelming them. Production design effectively evokes the era, while occasional sound mixing feels uneven in action sequences. In total, the sensory elements cohere into an accessible and watchable presentation, even if few moments rise to true sensory immersion.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    In terms of rewatch value, Harriet provides enough sincerity and historical interest to warrant a revisit for viewers drawn to its subject matter. However, its conventional narrative structure and episodic pacing limit enduring appeal beyond an initial viewing. Emotional highlights and polished visuals may invite a second look, yet recurring moments of narrative familiarity reduce the incentive for repeated engagement. Overall, the film is moderately replayable but lacks the depth to become a lasting favorite.

Plot

Harriet Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Harriet from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the 1840s, in the slave state of Maryland, we meet Araminta “Minty” Ross (Cynthia Erivo), who is bound in servitude on the Brodess farm, despite being recently married to a freedman, John Tubman (Zackary Momoh). Minty’s family is fragmented; while she remains enslaved along with her mother, Harriet “Rit” Ross (Vanessa Bell Calloway) and sister, two of her siblings have already been sold off to another owner down South. Minty’s father, who has the status of a freedman, attempts to negotiate her freedom with Mr. Brodess, as it was promised that Minty’s mother and her family would be freed when she turned 45, a commitment made by Brodess’s great-grandfather.

Full summary

The whole story of Harriet, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Harriet Box Office & Budget

Harriet grossed $43.3 million worldwide on a $17 million budget, 2.5 times what it cost. $43.1 million came from the US and Canada and $264,862 (1%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$43.3M

2.5× its budget

US & Canada
$43.1M
International
$264.9K
Budget
$17M
US & Canada 99% Rest of the world 1%
Awards

Harriet Awards & Nominations

Harriet was nominated for 1 Oscar. The 7 nominations come from 5 ceremonies.

7 nominations5 ceremonies

Show all 5 ceremonies
Videos

Harriet Trailers & Videos

9 videos: 1 trailer and 8 clips.

All 9 videos
HARRIET - Official Trailer
  • Clip HARRIET - "They Should Be Too" Clip - In Theaters November 1
  • Clip HARRIET - " Don't Tell Me What I Cant' Do" Clip - In Theaters November 1
  • Clip HARRIET - "Im Going To Be Free Or Die" Clip - Now Playing
  • Clip Harriet | Harriet Tubman Frees Slaves Through the Underground Railroad
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Harriet?

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 Minty Ross's real name in the film?

Details

Harriet Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “海芮” and “Харриет”.

Also known as
  • 海芮
  • Харриет
  • Harriet - Der Weg in die Freiheit
  • Harriet - O Caminho para a Liberdade
  • Хариет
  • 해리엇
  • Гарриет
  • 哈丽特
  • Harriet, en busca de la libertad
  • ハリエット
  • Χάριετ
  • הארייט: הדרך לחופש
+9 more
  • Harriet - Özgürlük Ateşi
  • 哈莉特:廢奴之戰
  • Харијет
  • هاريت
  • Harieta
  • Herieta
  • แฮร์เรียต
  • Гаррієт
  • हैरिएट

Seen Harriet?

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Movies Like Harriet

Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including A Woman Called Moses, The Underground Railroad and Race to Freedom: The Underground Railroad.

FAQ

Harriet FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is Harriet?

Harriet runs 2 hours 5 minutes (125 minutes).

When was Harriet released?

Harriet was released on November 1, 2019.

Who directed Harriet?

Harriet was directed by Kasi Lemmons.

More films by Kasi Lemmons

Who is in the cast of Harriet?

Harriet stars Cynthia Erivo as Harriet, Minty, Joseph Lee Anderson as Robert Ross and Joe Alwyn as Gideon Brodess, among 17 credited actors.

How much did Harriet make at the box office?

Harriet grossed $43.3 million worldwide ($43.1 million domestic, $264,862 international) on a budget of $17 million.

How is Harriet rated?

Harriet has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 74% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.

Was Harriet nominated for any awards?

Harriet received 7 nominations across 5 ceremonies.

Does Harriet have a post-credit scene?

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

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