In a media landscape crowded with postapocalyptic films focusing on white families whose stories of survival are often deemed universal, R.T. Thorne’s debut feature “40 Acres” emerges as a notable new addition to the genre. The film foregoes reinventing the wheel, opting instead for a straightforward yet brutal examination of the tenacity required for hope to flourish in a seemingly doomed world.

Set in a near future devastated by a global pandemic, widespread famine, and a new civil war in the United States, “40 Acres” follows Hailey Freeman (Danielle Deadwyler), a soldier-turned-farmer striving to protect her family. With society in collapse and the agricultural system battered by the loss of arable land, fertile farms like Hailey’s become valuable assets that others are willing to kill for.

The farm represents more than just a secluded piece of land in the Canadian wilderness to Hailey; it is a family heirloom passed down from her ancestors who originally acquired it during the Reconstruction era. The farm is also the home she shares with her partner Galen (Michael Greyeyes) and their blended family, including children played by Leenah Robinson, Jaeda LeBlanc, and Haile Amare. Despite the relative safety provided by living off the grid and an electrified fence, Hailey and Galen are acutely aware of the fragility of their situation. Consequently, they train their children in combat and prepare them to defend their home by any means necessary.

Hailey’s stern demeanor and insistence on distrust reflect a deeper emotional barrier, especially evident to her teenage son Emanuel (Kataem O’Connor). Emanuel wanders into the woods, hoping to encounter someone who can expand his small world. His hope materializes when he meets Dawn (Milcania Diaz-Rojas), a girl whose appearance inspires him to fill his sketchbook. However, when the Freemans learn that a secretive network of farmers to which they belong is being targeted by bands of marauding cannibals, they heighten their defense mechanisms.

“40 Acres” begins with a dynamic and brutal opening action sequence that sets the tone Thorne, known for his music video work and the creation of Hulu’s “Utopia Falls,” aims to achieve in his first feature-length film. The Freemans operate as a cohesive unit, eliminating intruders with precision, a necessity for survival in their perilous environment. Thorne and cowriter Glenn Taylor highlight how Hailey’s severity is balanced by a deeper understanding of preserving their cultural legacies for their Black and Indigenous heritage.

In contrast to other apocalyptic films such as “A Quiet Place” or the “Mad Max” series, which featured few people of color, “40 Acres” explicitly addresses how the Freemans’ racial identities influence their experiences in a dystopian world. These films often center white nuclear families, reflecting social fears about dehumanized “Others.” In contrast, “40 Acres” portrays the Freemans as perpetuating a legacy of survival in an unsafe world.

While the film is an ensemble piece, Deadwyler stands out with a commanding and intense performance that conveys Hailey’s profound fear for her children. Hailey’s strictness, while ensuring their survival, causes emotional rifts, notably with Emanuel. Despite some plot points being predictable, Thorne and cinematographer Jeremy Benning masterfully craft action sequences that keep the audience engaged and on edge.

Although its final act struggles slightly to heighten the already high emotional stakes, “40 Acres” concludes with a reinforced assertion of its core ideas. Amidst a subgenre brimming with average stories, “40 Acres” distinguishes itself as a remarkable work.

“40 Acres” does not yet have a distributor or theatrical release date.

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