Mudbound Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two families, one white and one Black, are forced to live near each other in Mississippi after World War II, and the mud is a metaphor for, uh, something deep.

🍿 Mudbound: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The McAllan’s Move to Mississippi

Laura McAllan, a woman seeking escape from her monotonous life, marries Henry McAllan, a man she doesn’t truly love but sees as her savior. Henry decides to move his family, including his overtly racist father Pappy, to a rural Mississippi farm, much to Laura’s dismay. The harsh realities of farm life quickly set in as they struggle with poverty, a dilapidated house, and constant mud.

The Jackson’s: Sharecroppers on the McAllan’s Land

The Jacksons, a Black family led by Hap and Florence, work as sharecroppers on the McAllan’s land. Despite generations of laboring on the same soil, they are denied ownership and face systemic racism and hardship. They maintain their dignity and strive for a better life for their children.

War and Shared Trauma

World War II dramatically impacts both families. Jamie McAllan, Henry’s younger brother, and Ronsel Jackson, Hap and Florence’s eldest son, both enlist and experience the horrors of war. Jamie becomes a bomber pilot, while Ronsel serves as a tank commander. Their shared experiences create a unique bond between them.

Returning Home to a Divided America

Upon returning home, Jamie and Ronsel find themselves struggling to adjust to civilian life and the deeply ingrained racism of the South. Ronsel experiences freedom and respect in Europe that is denied to him in Mississippi, while Jamie battles PTSD and alcoholism. Their friendship challenges the racial prejudices of the time and faces fierce opposition.

Rising Tensions and Forbidden Friendship

Jamie and Ronsel’s bond deepens as they share their war experiences and find solace in each other’s company. This friendship, however, is met with disapproval and hostility from the community, especially from Pappy McAllan, whose racism fuels the escalating tension.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Laura McAllan (Carey Mulligan): A woman unfulfilled by her marriage who is transplanted to a rural farm and forms unexpected connections.
• Henry McAllan (Jason Clarke): A stoic and often distant man, he is the owner of the farm and struggles with the realities of rural life.
• Ronsel Jackson (Jason Mitchell): A World War II veteran who faces prejudice upon returning home and forms an unlikely bond with a white soldier.
• Florence Jackson (Mary J. Blige): A strong and dignified woman, a mother and sharecropper who provides essential support to both her family and the McAllans.
• Hap Jackson (Rob Morgan): A hard-working and proud man striving for land ownership and equality in a racially divided society.
• Jamie McAllan (Garrett Hedlund): A troubled World War II veteran grappling with PTSD and alcoholism, he finds a connection with Ronsel, challenging societal norms.
• Pappy McAllan (Jonathan Banks): A deeply racist and bigoted man who represents the ingrained prejudice of the Deep South and is Henry’s father.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Hap Jackson: “What good is a deed? My grandfathers and great uncles, grandmothers and great aunts, father and mother, broke, tilled, thawed, planted, plucked, raised, burned, broke again. Worked this land all they life, this land that never would be theirs.” – Hap reflects on the generations of his family who worked the land without ever owning it, highlighting the injustice they faced.
• Pappy McAllan: “How many men you kill, boy? Did you look ’em in the eye?” – Pappy’s question to Jamie reflects his narrow-minded view of war and manhood, emphasizing a brutal, face-to-face kind of violence.
• Ronsel Jackson: “I fought for my country.” – Ronsel says this to remind Pappy, that he served in WWII, for the same country that is discriminating against him.
• Jamie McAllan: “We were both there. We were both in it.” – Jamie says this trying to explain his connection to Ronsel, the war connected them despite the racism.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12.5M
• Domestic Gross: $0.17M
• Worldwide Gross: $0.09M

💥 Mudbound Reviews

Personal Review

Mudbound hit me hard. I was captivated from the first scene by the raw honesty of the story and the incredible performances. The way the film depicted the everyday struggles of both the McAllan and Jackson families was so real and heartbreaking. That scene where Jamie and Ronsel connect over their shared war experiences truly moved me, but the ending was difficult to watch.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers interested in historical dramas”
  • “Fans of stories exploring racial themes and social injustice”
  • “Those who appreciate character-driven narratives”
  • “People who enjoy films with strong performances”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and torture”
  • “Racist language and hate speech”
  • “Depictions of war and PTSD”
  • “Sexual content”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Dee Rees crafts a powerful, unflinching portrait of post-WWII Mississippi, showcasing the intertwined lives of two families bound by land and prejudice. The performances are uniformly excellent, particularly Mary J. Blige as a resilient matriarch, making this a must-see.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Mudbound is a sweeping, emotionally resonant film that tackles themes of racism, poverty, and the enduring scars of war. While the pacing is deliberate, the film’s impact is undeniable, thanks to its strong performances and evocative cinematography.
• Variety: “Dee Rees’s Mudbound is a visceral and unflinching portrait of rural Mississippi in the aftermath of World War II. The film’s exploration of racial tensions and the bond between two war veterans is both heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful.

Audience Reactions

The acting was phenomenal, especially Mary J. Blige and Jason Mitchell.: Viewers praised the film for its honest portrayal of racial tensions in the post-WWII South and the complex relationships between the characters.

The cinematography beautifully captured the bleakness and beauty of the Mississippi Delta.: Many people felt that Mudbound was a powerful and emotional movie, leaving a lasting impact on them.

Overall Consensus: Mudbound is a critically acclaimed drama praised for its strong performances, unflinching portrayal of racism, and emotionally resonant story. It’s a powerful and moving film that explores the complexities of race, war, and family in the post-WWII South.

Awards

1. Black Reel Awards (Outstanding Film)- 2018
2. Black Reel Awards (Outstanding Director)- 2018

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Mary J. Blige had an aunt who was very much like her character Florence, who had worked for (and raised a bunch of kids in) a white family who loved her.”
• “Director Dee Rees insisted on using natural lighting as much as possible to enhance the realism, which presented significant challenges during night shoots.”

🖥️ How to Watch Mudbound?

Mudbound is available to stream on Netflix with a subscription. As a Netflix original, it is exclusively available on that platform. You can watch it directly through the Netflix app on your smart TV, streaming device, computer, or mobile device. It is not available for purchase on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Mudbound, you might like these similar films:

• 12 Years a Slave (2013): Both films depict the brutal realities of slavery and racism in American history, focusing on the dehumanization and suffering endured by African Americans.
• The Color Purple (1985): The Color Purple shares similar themes of racism, sexism, and the resilience of black women in the early 20th-century South.
• To Kill a Mockingbird (1962): To Kill a Mockingbird tackles racial injustice in the South and the moral struggle of individuals standing up against prejudice, reflecting similar themes found in Mudbound.

🛒 Mudbound Related Products

• Mudbound [Blu-ray]: Own the critically acclaimed film on Blu-ray, featuring bonus content and a stunning visual presentation. Relive the emotional journey of the McAllan and Jackson families in the muddy Mississippi Delta.
• The Mudbound Novel by Hillary Jordan: Dive deeper into the story with the original novel that inspired the film. Explore the intricate lives and perspectives of each character in Hillary Jordan’s acclaimed novel.
• 1940s US Southern Cook Book: An authentic collection of family recipes from the south in the 1940s! Get a taste of the setting of Mudbound, and eat how the McAllans and Jacksons ate.
• Mississippi Delta Blues CD Collection: Experience the evocative soundscape of the era with this blues collection. Hear music with the same emotional resonance and historical context that drove the tone of Mudbound.

🎧 Soundtrack

Mudbound features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Mighty River” – performed by Mary J. Blige
• “One Morning Soon” – performed by Dr. C.J. Johnson

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Mudbound | Based on a True Story

Ever wondered how accurate ‘Mudbound’ is? This video breaks down the real history behind the film’s setting and themes. It’s fascinating stuff, and it’ll totally change how you see the movie!

Mudbound | Featurette: An Inside Look [HD] | Netflix

Want to see how ‘Mudbound’ was made? This featurette gives you an exclusive peek behind the camera. It’s always cool to see the process and appreciate the effort put in!

Mary J. Blige, Garrett Hedlund, Dee Rees on Relevance of Racial Divide in ‘Mudbound’ | TIFF 2017

The cast and director of ‘Mudbound’ discuss the movie’s powerful themes and how they still resonate today. It’s thought-provoking and really makes you consider the film’s deeper meaning.

Scene From ‘Mudbound’ | Anatomy of a Scene

Want to have the director of Mudbound walk you through one of the most important scenes in the movie? Well, here’s your chance! Dee Rees takes you behind the camera for this one.

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