Burden Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Klansman falls for a girl, leaves his hate group, and ends up needing help from the Black reverend he was protesting, proving love is wilder than southern drama.

🍿 Burden: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Town Divided by Hate

Set in 1996 in Laurens, South Carolina, “Burden” introduces a town grappling with deep-seated racial tensions. The conflict escalates when a museum celebrating the Ku Klux Klan is set to open. Amidst this backdrop is Reverend Kennedy, an idealistic African American preacher committed to peace and forgiveness. He leads his congregation in non-violent protest against the KKK’s presence and influence.

Mike Burden’s World

Mike Burden is a loyal member of the local Ku Klux Klan, raised within its ideology and treated as a son by the group’s manipulative leader, Tom Griffin. Mike works for Griffin in his repo business. Mike’s beliefs begin to waver when he starts a relationship with Judy, a single mother who challenges his worldview. His encounters with Judy, and a reconnection with his childhood friend Clarence Brooks, who is Black, force him to confront the contradictions in his life.

The Turning Point

Faced with an ultimatum from Judy and increasingly conflicted by his experiences, Mike makes the difficult and dangerous decision to leave the Ku Klux Klan. This choice alienates him from Griffin and the entire Klan community, putting his life and the lives of Judy and her son in peril. Mike finds himself ostracized and threatened.

An Unexpected Alliance

In a remarkable act of faith and courage, Reverend Kennedy decides to offer shelter and protection to Mike, Judy, and her son after they are cast out by the Klan. This decision is met with resistance not only from the white community but also from members of his own congregation and even his family. The film then explores the challenging dynamics within the Reverend’s household as they attempt to live alongside a former Klansman, and the continued threats posed by Tom Griffin and the KKK.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mike Burden (Garrett Hedlund): A member of the Ku Klux Klan who decides to leave the group after falling in love and re-examining his beliefs.
• Reverend Kennedy (Forest Whitaker): An idealistic African American preacher who strives for peace and racial reconciliation, sheltering a former Klansman despite community resistance.
• Judy (Andrea Riseborough): A single mother whose relationship with Mike Burden inspires him to abandon his life in the Ku Klux Klan.
• Tom Griffin (Tom Wilkinson): The manipulative and hateful leader of the local Ku Klux Klan chapter who views Mike Burden as a son.
• Clarence Brooks (Usher): Mike Burden’s African American childhood friend whose bond challenges Mike’s current racist ideology.
• Janice Kennedy (Crystal Fox): Reverend Kennedy’s supportive wife who grapples with the danger and implications of sheltering a former Klansman in their home.
• Kelvin Kennedy (Dexter Darden): Reverend Kennedy’s teenage son who struggles to accept his father’s decision to bring a former Klansman into their family’s life.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mike Burden: “Sir, if I call you my enemy, I’ll walk through Heaven and I will punch God just to get to you. If I call you my friend, I’ll walk through Hell and I’ll slap the devil for you.” – Mike says this to Reverend Kennedy early in their relationship, expressing the depth of his loyalty or animosity, reflecting his intense personality and commitment.
• Clarence Brooks: “that boy just says whatever, I don’t even think he knows what he’s saying sometimes.” – Clarence says this to Reverend Kennedy when discussing Mike’s behavior, attempting to explain or contextualize Mike’s actions and language rooted in his upbringing.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3 million
• Domestic Gross: $139,270
• Worldwide Gross: $450,189

💥 Burden Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, “Burden” really got to me. Watching Mike’s struggle to leave the Klan was intense; you could just feel the weight of everything he was tied to. Garrett Hedlund’s performance felt so real, showing how lost and messed up the character was. And then Reverend Kennedy enters the picture, and Forest Whitaker is just… perfect. The scene where the Reverend has to decide whether to help Mike and his family, and the reactions of his own family, hit me hard. It felt incredibly authentic and challenging. It’s not an easy movie to watch because of the subject matter, but the story of forgiveness and faith overcoming hate was powerful. I was so invested in seeing if Mike could truly change and if the community could heal. Seeing the real people at the end was a great touch and made it even more impactful.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers interested in true stories and historical dramas”
  • “Fans of films exploring themes of race, prejudice, and redemption”
  • “Audiences who appreciate strong character-driven narratives”
  • “Those interested in civil rights history and social issues”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Rated R for language and some disturbing material/violence.”
  • “Contains scenes depicting racism and hate group activities.”
  • “May be intense for sensitive viewers due to thematic content.”

Professional Reviews

• Fictional Critic Review based on user feedback: “”Burden” hits hard, delivering a raw, emotional look at hate and the unexpected paths to redemption. Hedlund gives a standout performance as the conflicted Klansman, while Forest Whitaker is, as expected, phenomenal as the Reverend whose faith is put to the ultimate test. It’s a difficult watch at times, but ultimately a moving story about the possibility of change and the courage of compassion.
• Fictional Critic Review based on user feedback: “Based on an incredible true story, “Burden” explores complex racial tensions with unflinching honesty. The acting across the board is superb, particularly from Garrett Hedlund and Andrea Riseborough, who anchor the human heart of the film. While the subject matter is heavy, the film offers a much-needed message of hope and the power of forgiveness. A vital story for our times.
• Fictional Critic Review based on user feedback: “This film is an emotional journey, showing how deep-seated hate can be challenged by love and radical kindness. Andrew Heckler’s direction brings a gritty realism to the small-town South setting. It might make you uncomfortable, but the performances, especially Whitaker’s portrayal of quiet strength and faith, make this an unforgettable experience. Highly recommended for its powerful message.

Audience Reactions

Forest Whitaker’s performance as Reverend Kennedy is widely praised as a standout.: Many viewers were deeply moved by the film’s message of redemption, forgiveness, and the power of love over hate.

Garrett Hedlund’s portrayal of Mike Burden’s internal struggle and transformation resonated strongly with audiences.: The fact that it’s based on a true story added significant emotional weight and relevance for many viewers.

The film sparked conversations about overcoming racism and finding common ground in divisive times.: Andrea Riseborough’s role as Judy was also noted for being strong and contributing significantly to Mike’s journey.

Overall Consensus: A critically praised and emotionally resonant drama, ‘Burden’ is seen by audiences as a powerful, well-acted, and timely film about overcoming hate through faith, love, and radical acts of forgiveness.

Awards

1. Sundance Film Festival (U.S. Dramatic Audience Award)- 2018

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Writer/director Andrew Heckler began working on the screenplay in the late 1990s after reading a newspaper article about the real Reverend Kennedy and the Redneck Shop & KKK Museum in Laurens, South Carolina, and subsequently meeting the Reverend.”
• “The film reportedly took a long time to get released (from its 2018 Sundance premiere to 2020 release) partly due to challenges securing funding and production support.”

🖥️ How to Watch Burden?

As of late 2023 and early 2024, the movie “Burden” (2018) is available for digital purchase or rental on major platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check these services for current pricing and availability, as streaming rights may vary over time and by region. It is not consistently available on subscription streaming services but may appear periodically.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• Mississippi Burning (1988): A powerful historical drama focused on an FBI investigation into the murders of civil rights workers in Mississippi, directly confronting the violence and intimidation tactics of the Ku Klux Klan.
• American History X (1998): Explores a former white supremacist’s journey toward redemption and his attempts to prevent his younger brother from following the same path, highlighting the internal struggle to abandon hate.
• A Time to Kill (1996): Set in the same time period and region, this film deals with intense racial tensions and the complexities of justice and community reactions in the American South.
• BlacKkKlansman (2018): Based on a true story, this film directly addresses the absurdity and danger of the KKK through the lens of infiltration, offering a modern perspective on confronting racial hate groups.
• To Kill a Mockingbird (1962): A foundational American classic that explores themes of racial prejudice, justice, and moral courage in a small Southern town through the eyes of a child, resonating with the core conflicts in Burden.

🛒 Burden Related Products

• “Burden” Official Movie Poster: Capture the essence of the film’s powerful story with this high-quality official movie poster, featuring the main cast.
• Digital Copy of “Burden”: Own the inspiring true story of ‘Burden’ with a digital download, available for streaming and viewing across your devices.
• “Acts of Faith: The True Story of Reverend Kennedy and Mike Burden”: Delve deeper into the real-life events that inspired the movie with a book detailing the incredible story of Reverend Kennedy and Mike Burden.
• Southern History & Civil Rights Documentary Collection (DVD/Blu-ray): Explore the historical backdrop of ‘Burden’ with a collection of acclaimed documentaries on Southern history, culture, and the Civil Rights movement.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Green Grass and High Tides” – performed by The Outlaws

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Gumball | The Burden | Cartoon Network

Want to see how Gumball and Darwin deal with a classic Watterson-style ‘burden’? This clip from the official channel is pure chaos and totally worth watching if you’re a fan!

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