In a world devastated by a fungal plague, ’40 Acres’ presents a gripping narrative of survival, morality, and the struggle for autonomy amidst chaos.
’40 Acres’ Review: A Dystopian Home Invasion Saga
In a crushing blow to anyone who claims they’d rather be dead than vegan, a fungal plague wiped out animal life on planet Earth 14 years ago. This natural disaster effectively erased thousands of years of human economic development, reverting society back to agrarian roots overnight. Land has become the most crucial resource, and those who own farms are both blessed with survival resources and burdened by the constant threat of violence. With the need for protein still pressing, cannibalism is regrettably on the rise.
Plot Overview
So begins “40 Acres,” a dystopian home invasion saga anchored by a phenomenal performance from Danielle Deadwyler. She stars as Hailey Freeman, a former soldier who operates a family farm and is acutely aware of the dangers that lurk around her. Even in a world focused on survival, Hailey strives to ensure her son Emanuel (Kataem O’Connor) and stepdaughter Raine (Leenah Robinson) receive a semblance of a humanities education. Alongside farming and self-defense, she encourages them to read classics and complete book reports.
Her strict discipline has created a makeshift nuclear family amidst dire circumstances, but it hinges on her complete control. However, children grow up, and the danger has escalated with cannibals posing as soldiers conducting inspections. This prompts Hailey to tighten her grip on her children just as Emanuel begins to seek independence. The tension escalates when a new girl (Milcania Diaz-Rojas) appears in the forest, leading to a clash between Emanuel’s protective instincts and Hailey’s military mindset, forcing them to weigh safety against freedom.
Directorial Debut and Visual Style
“40 Acres” marks the feature debut of R.T. Thorne, who has enjoyed success directing TV episodes and music videos. The film benefits from his steady visual style, showcasing beautifully composed shots of landscapes and the hard-won food that illustrate the inseparability of this dystopian society from the farmland they are willing to die for. Thorne skillfully frames Deadwyler’s militant Hailey with the gravitas the character demands as she rules with an iron fist to protect her children from external horrors. The strong visual language elevates the film above many other limited-location dystopian survival stories.
Thematic Depth
The film’s engagement with American history is overt, taking its title from the broken promise that every freed slave would receive 40 acres and a mule during Reconstruction. It follows a Black woman named Freeman who owns her farm. Natural disasters that lead to cannibalism can obscure historical injustices, but Thorne’s decision to reboot history provides a blank canvas unburdened by the past. In this new world, land ownership remains the most valuable currency, and by making a Black woman the landowner, the filmmaker subverts historical narratives while highlighting the economic forces that perpetuate inequality.
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This film is a fitting Fourth of July weekend viewing, complete with plenty of cannibal combat.
Grade: B+
A Magnolia Pictures release, “40 Acres” opens in theaters on Wednesday, July 2.
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