Those searching for their next emotionally gripping and gut-wrenching watch are in luck, as we have just the recommendation. While the war drama genre is filled with excellent offerings, one often overlooked gem is being hailed as a must-watch by critics and audiences alike.
A Masterpiece on Netflix
The 2017 historical war drama Mudbound has left viewers spellbound, with people describing it as a ‘masterpiece’ they cannot stop thinking about days after watching. Directed by Dee Rees with a screenplay by Rees and Virgil Williams, the film is based on the 2008 novel of the same name by Hillary Jordan.
The film stars Carey Mulligan, Garrett Hedlund, Jason Clarke, Jason Mitchell, Jonathan Banks, Rob Morgan, and Mary J. Blige, all of whom received immense praise for their performances after the movie’s release.
Plot and Setting
Available to stream on Netflix, the official plot states: “Set in the rural American South during World War II, Dee Rees' Mudbound is an epic story of two families pitted against one another by a ruthless social hierarchy, yet bound together by the shared farmland of the Mississippi Delta.”
Awards and Recognition
Mudbound had a fantastic run during awards season, receiving two nominations at the Golden Globe Awards for Best Supporting Actress (Blige) and Best Original Song (Mighty River). At the Oscars, it was nominated in four categories: Best Supporting Actress for Blige; Best Original Song for Blige, Raphael Saadiq, and Taura Stinson, making Blige the only person ever nominated for acting and songwriting in the same year; Best Adapted Screenplay for Rees and Virgil Williams, making Rees the first African-American woman nominated in that category; and Best Cinematography, making Rachel Morrison the first woman nominated in that category.
Critical Acclaim
With a near-perfect 97% approval rating on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, Mudbound is a rare combination of impeccable storytelling, emotional performances, and themes that remain relevant today, despite being set in the 1940s.
One critic said: “Dee Rees created a remarkable piece of art that not only showcases a heartbreaking time in our history, but also causes you to question what pieces of this time still remain today.” Another shared their emotional reaction: “This film destroyed me. It kicked me in the stomach, ripped out my guts, and stomped on them. Watch it. Watch it immediately.”
Another reviewer called it a ‘masterpiece’: “Dee Rees' masterpiece is the closest thing we've seen in a while to George Stevens' 'Giant' or John Ford's 'The Grapes of Wrath'; a salt-of-the-earth epic that rises to the level of tragic literature.”
One critic simply noted: “Mudbound is going to be one of the hard to forget films of 2017 or this decade.” Yet another commented: “Elevating Netflix's theatrical game, Mudbound is a powerful and absorbing film, one that does a splendid job of preserving its literary voice while painting a densely layered portrait of two families in World War 2-era Mississippi.”
Audience Reactions
Audience reviews are equally praiseworthy. One viewer wrote: “I seldom award five stars, reserving it for truly exceptional films. I'm pleased to affirm that this movie earned its five-star rating—it was truly outstanding. The narrative was captivating, offering a poignant glimpse into the challenges faced by people in that era, particularly dealing with hate and racism. The performances were phenomenal, and the direction was unparalleled. Overall, an extraordinary film that comes highly recommended.”
An IMDB user review states: “Netflix has made a film worthy of the highest praise. The entire screening audience became engrossed in this movie, so quiet you could hear a pin drop on the carpet. The story unfolds necessarily slow and snares you. The different perspectives of the storytellers is blatantly obvious while the movie spares little in realistic actions that make the viewer cringe at times, laugh at times and cry at times. It doesn't hold back. The acting is top notch. It is also a movie for our times. People from the screening audience are still talking about this movie four days later. An Oscar contender this should be.”
Another user writes: “Extraordinary!!! I can't remember the last time I watched a film that was so touching. Especially set more than half a century ago, the acting is exceptionally great. The narrative is as smooth as molasses. But what really caught in my soul was that some of these racial prejudices still exist. Well done to all the tellers and actors - You have made my month! (maybe my year) I'd bet you'll never be the same for having the chance to perform these roles. Bravo!”
One viewer showered the film with high praise: “One of the Best Movies This Year — Raw, Real, Emotionally Captivating. This is by far one of the best movies I've seen this year, and in my opinion will stand to be one of the best period pieces ever created. Outstanding film!”
Mudbound is available to stream on Netflix.
