Danielle Deadwyler Stars in Post-Apocalyptic Thriller '40 Acres'

The newly released trailer for '40 Acres' introduces Danielle Deadwyler as Hailey Freeman, a former soldier fiercely protecting her family and ancestral land in a post-apocalyptic world devastated by famine and the eradication of animal life. The film centers on the Freemans’ struggle to survive in isolation, relying on Hailey’s military discipline, while her son Emanuel’s desire for connection beyond their fortified farm threatens the family’s fragile safety. As the family faces a violent militia—and possibly cannibals—intent on seizing their land, the story explores themes of generational trauma, Black and Indigenous sovereignty, and the complexities of survival versus humanity. Director R.T. Thorne draws from personal experience, aiming to redefine Black masculinity through empathy and vulnerability, while the film’s title references the unfulfilled promise of '40 acres and a mule' to formerly enslaved Black Americans. With high-stakes action and emotional depth, '40 Acres' promises to spark conversation about love, resistance, and the enduring significance of land ownership when it arrives in theaters July 2, 2025.