Some stories feel inevitable, as if history itself has been waiting for the right moment to bring them to the screen. Harriet (2019), directed by Kasi Lemmons, is one of those films.
It tells the story of Harriet Tubman—born Araminta Ross—an enslaved woman who escaped bondage and returned again and again to free others, later becoming a spy and soldier during the American Civil War.
Knowing that the story is true adds a profound weight to every scene. This is not just a historical drama; it is a testament to how injustice and suffering can transform a gentle soul into a woman of war.
Becoming Harriet: From Sweetness to Resistance
One of the most compelling questions the film asks—quietly but persistently—is: How does a sweet woman become a warrior? The answer unfolds through cruelty, loss, and moral urgency. Harriet (Cynthia Erivo) does not begin as a mythic hero. She is kind, deeply spiritual, and visibly afraid. Yet the injustices she endures and witnesses leave her no choice but to fight back.
The early depictions of enslaved people arriving and recounting their experiences are chilling. Their stories are not exaggerated for spectacle; they are restrained, which somehow makes them even more disturbing. The film understands that sometimes the most horrifying truths are the ones spoken plainly.
Escape, Failure, and Humanity
Harriet’s escape is portrayed not as a flawless act of bravery but as a deeply human one. Leaving her husband behind is one of the most painful moments in the film, and it matters that she fails—that she makes the wrong decision and lives with its consequences.
The film allows her mistakes to exist without diminishing her heroism. On the contrary, they make her more real. Strength here is not perfection; it is persistence.
War, Purpose, and a Mission Bigger Than Fear
As Harriet’s mission evolves, the film beautifully captures her growing sense of purpose. She is no longer just running from something, but toward a cause.
Her role in the war, though not always foregrounded in popular history, is shown as essential and courageous.
In this way, Harriet echoes the spirit of other historical dramas about resistance—stories where ordinary people are pushed into extraordinary action—not by ambition, but by necessity.
Supporting Characters and Moral Complexity
Walter: Charm as Strategy
Walter (Henry Hunter Hall - The Watcher) is an especially interesting character.
Whether or not he was a direct historical figure, he works effectively as a narrative device—someone who demonstrates how Harriet’s charisma, intelligence, and quiet authority could change minds.
Marie: Allyship at a Cost
Marie (Janelle Monáe) is another standout. Born free, she has never known slavery herself, yet she chooses to help, fully aware of the risks.
Her story is a powerful reminder that empathy does not require shared suffering—only the willingness to step into someone else’s pain. The price she pays is devastating, and it reinforces the film’s refusal to romanticize sacrifice.
Eliza Brodess: Cruelty Without Caricature
Jennifer Nettles’ portrayal of Eliza Brodess is surprisingly layered.
At first, she almost appears as a potential victim herself, trapped in a marriage to an awful man. But that sympathy quickly dissolves.
Eliza is a woman of her time, convinced of her superiority because of her skin color, using that belief to justify cruelty. The performance avoids caricature and instead presents a chillingly believable portrait of normalized evil.
Faith, Visions, and the Unknown
Harriet’s fainting and visions are never fully explained, and that ambiguity feels intentional. Were they divine messages, trauma-induced episodes, or something in between?
The film refuses to give easy answers, much like reality itself. History often leaves us with uncertainty, and Harriet respects that by allowing faith and doubt to coexist.
A Legacy of Strength
Harriet Tubman was strong, brave, and relentless, and her story deserved to be told with this level of care. Harriet succeeds not because it turns her into a legend, but because it allows her to remain human. By the end of the film, admiration feels inevitable—not just for Harriet Tubman, but for everyone whose courage helped bend history toward freedom.
Congratulations to the filmmakers for bringing this story to the screen with respect, power, and heart.
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