40 Acres

In Deadwyler’s eyes, we see many lifetimes of pain and struggle that have hardened into a shell Hailey rarely lets down. While “40 Acres” can be shaky in its dialogue and staging, it’s her performance that keeps it moving.

Though R.T. Thorne’s dynamic siege thriller has some familiar moves, it is full of fresh ideas.

There’s plenty to the thrill of a twelve-year-old loading her automatic while running through corn fields, but the film’s chamber is emotionally empty.

Thorne and company don’t rewrite the formula, but they do it well, mixing strong world-building, escalating tension and stakes, and gruesome violence.

’40 Acres’ is not the worst movie I have ever seen. It is just not as memorable as it could be. However, it is cool to see Black and Indigenous actors at the center of a post-apocalyptic world.

While 40 Acres has its undeniable limitations, Thorne mitigates flaws both fiscal and conceptual through sturdy execution, delivering a genuinely arresting look at what life might look like after everything finally — or, further — goes to hell.

40 Acres delivers plenty of action and suspense as it journeys to find hope in a desolate future.

This film is far from relaxing but will have those who want to see a dark, action-packed post-apocalyptic drama leaving relatively satisfied.

40 Acres really shows up to play in its final act, releasing all the long-simmering tension through a series of taut, satisfying combat sequences: close-range fights, tactical shootouts, and grim moments of unsettling gore.

The film doesn't break the mould in any real respects, but it is the kind of project where the performances can elevate the premise.