They Will Fight for 40 ACRES

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writers Glenn Taylor, Lora Campell, director R.T. Thorne and Vertigo Releasing is a fight for 40 ACRES.

The Freeman farm came to be in 1875 when the family settled in Canada after the first Civil War. As the world has been turned upside down, Hailey Freeman (Danielle Deadwyler) knows that farmland is the most valuable thing on earth. Along with Galen (Michael Greyeyes)) and their kids Emmanuel (Kataem O’Connor), Danis (Jaeda LeBlanc), Raine (Leenah Robinson) and Cookie (Haile Amare), are strong together, smart, and well-trained tactically for survival all well tending the farm. That comes in handy as a band of raiders try to take what’s there’s!

Hailey monitors the radio staying in contact with the surrounding farm, especially Augusta Taylor (Elizabeth Saunders) since both women have a military background. They talk of more attacks on farms with no help. Out on patrol, Emannuel is enjoying alone time only to be startled by a stranger. He followers her to a camp but doesn’t tell anyone. Visiting the depot – Galen, Emmanuel, and Raine are met by a pack of strangers saying they were military but they knew differently knowing bad things happen when strangers are around.

More and more danger comes closer to the Freeman farm. What Hailey doesn’t know is what Emmanuel has done to put them all in jeopardy and into the fight of their lives. When the young man takes matters into his own hands, it is Hailey that has no choice but to do whatever it takes to secure her family and the farm. This battle is going to cost them all!

Deadwyler as Hailey is a returning soldier to the farm and the madness follows years later. Determined to keep the farm at all costs, she trains the kids to be able to handle anyone or anything that comes their way. Deadwyler is sharp, strong and doesn’t bat an eye from her objective. Motherhood, on the other hand, is still proving to be a challenge for her attempting to separate the two but her performance is stunning. If Deadwyler looks familiar, her recent 2025 film THE WOMAN IN THE YARD rattled more than a few nerves and recently a role on the Hulu series The Bear.

O’Connor as Emmanuel is the typical young man who thinks he knows more than everyone else and pushes the boundaries. Of course, as with this stereotype of a young person, the choices lead to disaster every step he takes and other suffer for it. That being said, O’Connor is a strong character in the story and makes his presence felt frame by frame. Greyeyes as Galen is the calming influence on the farm but has his moments when certain foods from the past times riles him up. Knowing a lot about the land from his own ancestry, he is happy on the farm with his family but protective just the same make no mistake.

Robinson as Raine is thrilled to be as good with a gun as she is. She is absolutely calm until its time not to be but even then, she knows what has to be done. I enjoyed her cool-as-a-cucumber persona which matches that of Galen. LeBlanc as Danis is a combination of Galen and Raine and thrilled with traditions. Amare as Cookie is such a young girl to be living in such a dangerous time but she also knows more on how to handle herself than I ever would.

Shout out to Saunders as Augusta who befriends Hailey in the early days and although her role is small, her time on the screen with Deadwyler is amazing. Also, Milcania Diaz-Rojas as Dawn coming into the story with a character that pushes Hailey to the brink.

Other cast include Drifters Mimi Cote, Patrick Garrow, John Tench, Derek Barnes, James Binkley and Tyrone Berskin as Felix Freeman.

Vertigo Releasing commitment to discovering and championing quality independent films and filmmakers is reflected in the success of our releases, with multiple Academy Award, BAFTA and BIFA nominated titles in our library including Boiling Point, Sound of Metal, Santosh, Hoard, Benediction, and Censor. Other popular releases include Late Night with the Devil, Timestalker, Reality, Crimes of the Future, Spring Breakers, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, Dog Soldiers, Five Feet Apart, Child’s Play, and Hunt for the Wilderpeople. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.vertigoreleasing.com.

40 ACRES is absolutely what I would expect of a post-apocalyptic world that doesn’t have zombies in it. Instead, it has those who are trying to survive without hurting anyone and those who want to survive by hurting everyone. I love that the film keeps up the pace of intensity because even with “relaxed” moments, I was never relaxed. The cast brings it full force from the very beginning and doesn’t let off the gas for a second.

Deadwyler takes on the role of lead in the film and she makes it look frightfully easy. Tethered to her is the supporting performance of Greyeyes who is the level head when Deadwyler’s Hailey looks like she could explode. In this world of violent adults, it is the young people of the film that have a grounding of what the world has become and the possibility of where it can go. That is, of course, once they stop the madness. Totally enjoyed the film!

In the end – get off our land!

She is the FIRESTARTER

 

Jeri Jacquin

Available on Digital and coming to Bluray and DVD from director Keith Thomas and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment based on a Stephen King novel is FIRESTARTER.

Andy (Zac Efron) and Vicky (Sydney Lemmon) are raising their young girl Charlie (Ryan Armstrong) in a bit of isolation. That is because when Charlie was a baby, she showed the powers pyrokinesis. That is not a surprise as dad Andy has the power of telepathy and mom Vicky is telekinetic being part of a chemical drug experiment years before.

Trying to evade those looking for them and that includes John Rainbird (Michael Greyeyes) so Vicky stays home, and Andy works as many paid gigs as he can get using a bit of his powers for cash. Charlie is at school, but she is not quite fitting in and when something upsets, her powers shake to her core.

That sets off alarms for Captain Jane Hollister (Gloria Reuben) who is helping Dr. Wanless (Kurtwood Smith) find Andy, Vicky and Charlie. After their home is invaded, Andy and Charlie have no choice but to go on the road and try to stay one step ahead of capture.

Yet Charlie learns what happened to her parent and why they want her so badly. They think dealing with the young girl will be easy, they do not know Charlie!

Efron as Andy gets to be a strong father for Charlie and would do anything to protect her. It is hard explain what happened and the consequences to the young girl but once they are on the run, Charlie gets it. We now live in the realm where Efron gets to play a dad – when did that happen? That being said, he played it well.

Armstrong as Charlie is a young girl trying to fit in and not quite understanding why she is the way she is. As her powers grow, controlling them becomes difficult and frightening for her. Relying on her father to guide her, there comes a moment when it is all on her and Armstrong gives it with fire and rage.

Greyeyes as Rainbird is on a mission to find Charlie and is going to do whatever it takes to make that happen, even the worse thing he can. Lemmon as Vicky lives day to day wondering when they will be discovered and what will happen to her young daughter.

Reuben as Hollister has a mean streak and does not hesitate to use her force but in a calm manner that is just as disturbing. Nothing worse than a twisted woman on a mission. Smith as Dr. Wanless tries to present himself as caring about Andy and Charlie but you only have to see him for two seconds to know his goals are self-serving and destructive.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.

MOVIES ANYWHERE gives viewers the ability to download the Movies Anywhere App. With that you can view films by downloading or streaming to your favorite device using a Digital Code. For more information on Movies Anywhere please visit www.MoviesAnywhere.com.

Bonus Features include Alternative Ending, Deleted and Extended Scenes, Gag Reel, A Kinetic Energy, Spark a Fire, Igniting FIRESTARTER, Power Struggle and Feature Commentary with Director Keith Thomas.

FIRESTARTER is a creation of Stephen King from his novel by the same name written in 1980. Nominated for many awards, the novel was turned into a screenplay that landed in theatres first in 1984 with a very young actress named Drew Barrymore.

This updated version still embraces the relationship between Charlie and her father and the evil that is trying to destroy them. That is the heart of the story, and it keeps that momentum going.

In the end – embrace the fire within!

WILD INDIAN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to select theatres and On Demand from writer/director Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr. and Vertical Entertainment is the story of a past that catches up to the WILD INDIAN.

Makwa (Phoenix Wilson) and Teddo (Julian Gopal) are two young boys who are not only cousins but best of friends. Makwa constantly deals with the abuses of home and Teddo is there for him when he needs him. Makwa finds solace with his crush on a young classmate. Too shy to speak to her, another boy has captured her attention.

Dealing with homelife brings an anger inside Makwa and when he sees his emotional rival in the woods, both Makwa and Teddo’s lives are about to change.

Years go by and Makwa (Michael Greyeyes) is now a man of means with a beautiful wife. Working hard has paid off as he is about ready to get a promotion that he has been waiting for. Teddo (Chaske Spencer), on the other hand, is a man who has spent many years in prison away from his family. Hardened by a secret, it has landed him on the wrong side of the law.

Trying to find his place in the world, Teddo makes a decision that will put everything Makwa has worked for in jeopardy. Now he must return home and it is not the homecoming Makwa ever thought would happen.

Greyeyes as Makwa is a man who is hardened by his childhood. Even getting excited about anything in his life just does not happen for him. His steely eyes and frightening walk is enough to keep most people away from him. When he is cornered, there is nothing he will not do to keep the spotlight off himself.

Spencer as Teddo has lived with a secret that has changed any chance of his life being more than one of prison. Hoping to find a place back with his family, he tries his best to fit in but feels the past in every step he takes being home. Making a decision that should have been done as children, Spencer’s Teddo attempts accountability.

Other cast include Tres Garcia as Daniel, Colton Knaus as James Wolf, Kody Burns as Mrs. Knoll, Adam Budron as Detective Fenton, Kate Bosworth as Greta Peterson, Lisa Gromarty as Cammy, Scott Haze as Priest and Jesse Eisenberg as Jerry.

Vertical Entertainment is a global independent distributor that offers a unique wealth of experience minus the studio costs. They have won a Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Actress for Molly Shannon’s role in OTHER PEOPLE and the film won a GLAAD Award for Outstanding Film Limited Release, Best International Film for Babak Anvari’s UNDER THE SHADOW, a BAFTA and three Independent British Independent Film Awards as well.

WILD INDIAN begins with a look at the history of Native Americans and their treatment by a world encroaching on their land. The film continues with the story of two young boys trying to fit into a world that still does not recognize their importance and treatment in history. It is not enough that Makwa deals with violence at home, but he is treated equally badly in school.

Kudos to Wilson as the young Makwa as his performance is heartbreaking and horrifying at the same time. Wilson has the ability to bring you into his pain through his eyes and a disconnect that transfers to Greyeyes as the older Makwa. Goppal as the young Teddo wanted nothing more than to be a source of comfort and understanding for his cousin Makwa. Their secret is one that changes everything.

There are parts of the film that seem a bit off but with director Corbine Jr. managed to keep the film going forward. Between Wilson and Greyeyes, the character of Makwa does not give us a moment to breathe because what happens from moment to moment is head shaking. Adding Spencer into the mix, it now becomes like bringing a knife to a gunfight.

In the end – a fraction of a second changed their lives!