Set in the antebellum South, this extremely powerful drama follows Nat Turner, a literate slave and preacher—played by Nate Parker (Beyond the Lights) who, in addition to starring and directing, also wrote and co-produced the film. Forced to use his preaching to subdue unruly slaves, Turner witnesses countless atrocities and finally orchestrates a violent uprising in the hopes of leading his people to freedom. The Birth of a Nation is “a searingly impressive [directorial] debut” (Variety).