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Drama

Mudbound (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Mudbound (2017) movie poster

Mudbound is a 2017 drama directed by Dee Rees, starring Jason Mitchell as Ronsel Jackson, Jonathan Banks and Jason Clarke. It is based on Mudbound by Hillary Jordan. It runs 2 hours 14 minutes and earned $85,955 worldwide on a $10 million budget. It was nominated for 4 Oscars. Critics gave it 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 85 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10.

IMDb rating
7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
97%
worldwide gross
$86K
award nominations
12
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Mudbound (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 14m (134 min)
Director
Dee Rees
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$10M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Mudbound About?

The premise of Mudbound without spoilers, adapted from Mudbound by Hillary Jordan. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In the aftermath of World War II, two families navigate the challenges of rural life in the Mississippi Delta. The McAllans, seeking a fresh start after leaving Memphis, and the Jackson family, who have worked the land for generations, find their lives intertwined. As Henry McAllan's aspirations falter and Florence Jackson struggles against the social injustices of the time, returning soldiers from both families form an unexpected connection, exposing the harsh realities and racial tensions of the Jim Crow South.

Mudbound Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • drunkenness
  • poverty
  • misery
  • picking cotton
  • church
  • son murders father
  • mississippi
  • belgium
  • lynching
  • suffering
  • illness
  • suffocated with a pillow
+38 more
  • southern gothic
  • ku klux klan
  • murder
  • torture
  • 1930s
  • 1940s
  • preacher
  • husband wife relationship
  • brother brother relationship
  • father son relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • family relationships
  • racism
  • prejudice
  • beating
  • pickup truck
  • pre world war two
  • post world war two
  • world war two
  • letter
  • voice over letter
  • voice over narration
  • multiple narrators
  • flash forward
  • flashback
  • airplane
  • violence
  • tank
  • photograph
  • interracial romance
  • memory
  • pickup truck accident
  • mud
  • piano
  • pianist
  • whooping cough
  • mule
  • killing a mule
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Cast & crew

Mudbound Cast & Characters

Jason Mitchell leads the cast as Ronsel Jackson, with Jonathan Banks as Pappy McAllan and Jason Clarke as Henry McAllan. Directed by Dee Rees; 14 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Mudbound

· 10 more
From the director

More from Dee Rees

More films directed by Dee Rees, best-rated first: Pariah, The Last Thing He Wanted, The Box and Bessie.

Full filmography
Ratings

Mudbound Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Mudbound 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 85 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in art & craft (74).

80 /100

Mudbound Echo Score Breakdown

Mudbound is a thoughtfully crafted drama with strong emotional and sensory impact. The direction and cinematography offer a clear-eyed portrayal of its historical setting, while the ensemble performances provide nuanced emotional depth. Although the pacing and occasional narrative complexity can feel deliberate and dense, the film’s exploration of identity and injustice remains engaging. On balance, Mudbound delivers a compelling and resonant experience that holds lasting appeal despite its measured pacing.

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

  • Art & Craft 74

    In terms of art and craft, Mudbound presents a visually assured aesthetic that captures the rural South with deliberate framing and authentic production design. The cinematography employs naturalistic lighting and restrained editing to underscore the film’s historical authenticity. Some sequences feel unpolished in their pacing, but overall, the visual composition contributes a cohesive sense of place and period. The craftsmanship supports the narrative’s scope with measured clarity.

  • Character & Emotion 79

    When it comes to character and emotion, Mudbound features an ensemble of performances that deliver nuanced portrayals of hardship and resilience. The central cast conveys believable bonds and emotional stakes, grounding the social tensions in intimate human drama. While some narrative threads feel fitful in their development, the depth of characterization remains a driving strength. The film consistently evokes empathy through its carefully drawn relationships.

  • Story & Flow 78

    In terms of story and flow, Mudbound offers a narrative of substantial thematic weight, weaving multiple points of view into a cohesive examination of injustice and identity. The pacing is deliberate, allowing scenes to breathe and character moments to register, although extended exposition can occasionally slow momentum. Despite this, the plot remains engaging through its emotional stakes and revelations. Overall, the film maintains interest by balancing scope with personal drama.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When it comes to sensory experience, Mudbound employs a restrained yet evocative sound design and a score that accentuates the film’s tense atmospheres. The visual style favors a muted palette and immersive production details to evoke period authenticity. Dialogue and ambient sound blend seamlessly, reinforcing the emotional tone without overwhelming the drama. The combination of audio and visual elements creates a haunting and cohesive sensory landscape.

  • Rewatch Factor 76

    In terms of rewatch factor, Mudbound offers enduring appeal through its layered themes and emotional depth. The multiple perspectives and subtle narrative nuances invite reflection upon successive viewings. Although the deliberate pacing may feel dense on repeat, the film’s complex interplay of character arcs and social commentary sustains engagement. Overall, Mudbound rewards attentive audiences with fresh insights each time it is revisited.

Plot

Mudbound Plot Summary

What happens in Mudbound from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film begins with Jamie McAllan (Garrett Hedlund) digging a grave for his father as rain and darkness approach. During the storm, he gets trapped, but his older brother Henry (Jason Clarke) comes to his rescue, despite Jamie’s emotional fears of being left behind. The following morning, Laura (Carey Mulligan), Henry’s wife, reflects on their life as they struggle to fit the coffin into the grave. As they toil, a black family, the Jacksons, passes by in their wagon, and Henry, against Laura’s advice, asks them for assistance.

Full summary

The whole story of Mudbound, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Mudbound Box Office & Budget

Mudbound grossed $85,955 worldwide on a $10 million budget.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$86K

International
$86K
Budget
$10M
Awards

Mudbound Awards & Nominations

Mudbound was nominated for 4 Oscars. The 12 nominations come from 4 ceremonies.

12 nominations4 ceremonies

    • Nominated Best Acting Ensemble
    • Nominated Best Adapted Screenplay – Dee Rees
    • Nominated Best Cinematography
    • Nominated Best Supporting Actress – Mary J. Blige
  • Academy Awards (Oscars) logo
    Oscars 2018 4 nominations
    • Nominated Actress in a Supporting Role – Mary J. Blige
    • Nominated Cinematography
    • Nominated Music (Original Song)
    • Nominated Writing (Adapted Screenplay) – Dee Rees
    • Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
    • Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role – Mary J. Blige
  • Golden Globe Awards logo
    Golden Globes 2018 2 nominations
    • Nominated Best Original Song
    • Nominated Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama, Musical or Comedy – Mary J. Blige
Videos

Mudbound Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Mudbound.

Mudbound | Official Teaser [HD] | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Mudbound?

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

Who takes over the task of interring their father's remains when Jamie becomes stuck in the grave?

Cars

Cars in Mudbound

14 cars on screen, including the 1937 International Harvester D-Series and the 1939 Ford V8 De Luxe.

All 14 cars
  • 1937 International Harvester D-Series in Mudbound 1937 International Harvester D-Series Main role
  • 1939 Ford V8 De Luxe in Mudbound 1939 Ford V8 De Luxe Important role
  • Pressed Steel M4 A1 (76)W Sherman in Mudbound Pressed Steel M4 A1 (76)W Sherman Important role
  • 1947 Chevrolet unknown in Mudbound 1947 Chevrolet unknown Minor role
Details

Mudbound Also Known As

17 alternative titles, including “Ферма «Мадбаунд»” and “치욕의 대지”.

Also known as
  • Ферма «Мадбаунд»
  • 치욕의 대지
  • 머드바운드
  • Savaştan Sonra
  • 泥土之界
  • פרחים בבוץ
  • Мъдбаунд
  • Lágrimas Sobre o Mississipi
  • Ферма "Мадбаунд"
  • Mudbound: Δάκρυα στον Μισισιπή
  • Sárhozkötött
  • Mudbound - As Lamas do Mississípi
+5 more
  • マッドバウンド 哀しき友情
  • Mudbound: El color de la guerra
  • 泥沼
  • Madbūdas
  • แผ่นดินเดียวกัน

Seen Mudbound?

FAQ

Mudbound FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of Mudbound, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Mudbound?

Mudbound runs 2 hours 14 minutes (134 minutes).

When was Mudbound released?

Mudbound was released on November 17, 2017.

Who directed Mudbound?

Mudbound was directed by Dee Rees.

More films by Dee Rees

Who is in the cast of Mudbound?

Mudbound stars Jason Mitchell as Ronsel Jackson, Jonathan Banks as Pappy McAllan and Jason Clarke as Henry McAllan, among 14 credited actors.

How much did Mudbound make at the box office?

Mudbound grossed $85,955 worldwide on a budget of $10 million.

How is Mudbound rated?

Mudbound has 7.4/10 on IMDb, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 85 on Metacritic and 74% on TMDB.

Is Mudbound based on a book?

Yes. Mudbound is adapted from Mudbound by Hillary Jordan.

Was Mudbound nominated for any awards?

Mudbound received 12 nominations across 4 ceremonies.

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