A free man is captured and sold into slavery.

This film was based on a true story, so for folks like Solomon Northup, there's no escaping the memory of torment from his oppressors. All he has is hope and the will to survive, and that speaks volumes even in today's world.

Brutal to watch (which is the point) but much more difficult to live out (the actors- I commend you).

Steve McQueen takes you on a roller-coaster of emotions. From anger to rage to bewilderment to despair to understanding to hope. There's no sugar-coating any of it; what you get is raw, unfiltered storytelling here, and the actors grab onto it with courage and dive off the deep- end, pulling you along with it.

This film will rip your heart out and hopefully stitch it back together again.

8/10