Magnolia Pictures has released the official trailer for 40 Acres, the subversive siege thriller marking the feature debut of filmmaker R.T. Thorne. The film follows a family’s last stand against a ruthless militia determined to seize their land.
Directed by Thorne and co-written with Glenn Taylor, 40 Acres stars Danielle Deadwyler (The Piano Lesson, The Harder They Fall) in a gritty story set in a famine-ravaged near future. After a series of plagues and wars leaves society in shambles, the Freeman family has carved out a life of survival—and even prosperity—on a remote farm. But their peace comes at a cost: fending off the occasional raiding party.
Hailey Freeman (Deadwyler), a former soldier, and her partner Galen (Michael Greyeyes) escaped the collapse with their children in tow, raising them to defend themselves—by any means necessary. Their son Emanuel (Kataem O’Connor), now on the brink of adulthood, begins to question their isolationist lifestyle when he encounters a mysterious young woman (Milcania Diaz-Rojas – ) beyond the borders of their land. His search for connection may put everything the Freemans have built at risk.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind the film, Thorne shared:
“Raised by a single mother, I grew up quickly in a world that saw me differently. She taught me to be vigilant, as the color of my skin meant I had to look out for myself because “not many people out there are trying to save little Black boys.” Her words shaped Hailey Freeman’s militant philosophies in 40 Acres. This film explores how fear of the “other” can infect our homes, families, and communities. It is also a meditation on the legacy of generational trauma many Black mothers carry. Emmanuel’s coming-of-age journey redefines Black masculinity to include empathy, loyalty, and vulnerability. Ultimately, 40 Acres proclaims the importance of Black and Indigenous sovereignty in a world that often seeks to erase them.”
40 Acres is produced by Jennifer Holness, with executive producers R.T. Thorne, Taj Critchlow, Sudz Sutherland, Danielle Deadwyler, John Laing, Mark Gingras, Dave Hudakoc, and Andrew Frank.
Magnolia Pictures will release 40 Acres in theaters nationwide on July 2, 2025.
