40 Acres is a new film that initially premiered over the 4th of July in theaters, but recently released on VOD. Directed by R.T. Thorne and co-written by Thorne & Glenn Taylor, the film stars Danelle Deadwyler, Kataem O’Connor, Michael Greyeyes, Milcania Diaz-Rojas, and Leenah Robinson. In a famine-decimated near future, Hailey Freeman and her family struggle to safeguard their generational farm as they make one last stand against a vicious militia hell-bent on taking their 40 Acres.

I’ve been aware of this film for quite some time now, but fate never let me see this in theaters for some reason. Every time I tried to go, the timing just never worked. Even with rave reviews, it felt like this one got swept under the rug since it came out the same time as Jurassic World Rebirth. It’s unfortunate this is the case, because this is not just the better movie – it’s one of the best movies of the year that no one is talking about.

Danielle Deadwyler leads with a phenomenal performance. It’s ironic how her other movie about protecting her home also felt like it got swept under the rug with this year’s The Woman in the Yard. This is the better of the two, both in terms of story and characterization, allowing Deadwyler to showcase why she’s one of the best working actresses today.

Along with her are two amazing supporting performances between Kataem O’Connor and Michael Greyeyes. Kataem O’Connor is terrific in a role that gives him enough characterization that will catapult him into another great role. As for Michael Greyeyes, it’s great to see him here. I was a huge fan of season 3 of Fear the Walking Dead, and it was great to see him here. I immediately recognized him. I was really excited to see his talents here.

The incredible performances all wouldn’t be possible without R.T. Thorne’s effort as director & co-writer. He brings so much authenticity to this world and its characters that makes this small indie compelling enough to feel what these characters are going through. For a feature directorial debut, this is amongst one of the best. Thorne has a clear vision that is fully utilized.

When you look at the synopsis alone, I did not expect the film to open the way it does. It’s a thrilling opening scene that sets the tone for who these characters are and the world they live in. While Thorne fully brings these characters to life through conflict, the way he captures the action with his cinematographer pulls you in and feel the action.

At almost two hours long, I was wondering what else the film could do after that nail-biting opening, and you can feel it. The film slows down to a halt. It rightfully lets you learn more about what’s going on with a unique structure that often makes the story unpredictable. To keep the momentum up, I do believe there is a 90-minute runtime somewhere here that leans more into the intensity. Knowing who these characters are, there are some actions that could have easily been cut to help the film get to its point.

Lastly, I do feel conflicted with the conclusion. While it is happy and satisfying in its own right, it also doesn’t feel it concludes on everything that came before. Without getting into spoilers, something happens that feels highly implausible. It also makes it seem like this sort of issue could happen again. I think it would have been far more interesting if Kataem O’Connor’s character got put into more of a leadership role.

Overall, 40 Acres is a pleasant surprise that demands a higher viewership. If you’re looking for something entertaining & surprising, this is one that you can’t miss this summer. Danielle Deadwyler continues to prove why she’s one of the best working actresses today, Kataem O’Connor has a promising career ahead of him, and I personally can’t wait to see what R.T. Thorne does next as a director.

VERDICT: 4/5 (Great)