In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty as well as unexpected kindnesses Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist will forever alter his life.
In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty as well as unexpected kindnesses Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist will forever alter his life.
The film's central thesis explicitly promotes a progressive ideology by offering an unflinching, systemic critique of chattel slavery, highlighting its inherent racial oppression, economic exploitation, and the profound dehumanization it inflicted.
The movie features a historically accurate, predominantly Black cast, reflecting the inherent racial context of its subject matter. Its narrative powerfully critiques traditional identities by explicitly portraying white slave owners as villains, making the critique of oppressive power structures central to the film's core message.
The film powerfully exposes the profound hypocrisy of slave owners who pervert Christian scripture to justify their cruelty and oppression. Simultaneously, it portrays the genuine faith of enslaved people as a vital source of solace, resilience, and moral strength, with the narrative condemning the abuse of faith rather than faith itself.
12 Years a Slave is a historical drama depicting the harrowing experiences of a free black man sold into slavery. The film's narrative is entirely centered on themes of racial oppression, survival, and the fight for freedom. There are no identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes present within the story, resulting in an N/A rating for LGBTQ+ portrayal.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
The film is a historical drama based on a real-life memoir. All significant characters, based on historical figures or established in the source material, maintain their documented or canonical gender in the on-screen portrayal.
The film is a historical drama based on a real-life memoir. All major characters, both historical figures and those based on real people, are portrayed by actors whose race aligns with their documented historical or canonical race.
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