12 Years a Slave

In 1841, Solomon Northup is depicted as a free African American man living in Saratoga Springs, New York. He enjoys a happy family life as a skilled carpenter and talented fiddle player, cherishing moments with his wife and two children.

Solomon's life takes a tragic turn when he is deceived by two men who offer him a job as a musician. After being drugged, he awakens in chains, facing the horrifying reality of being sold into slavery.

After his capture, Solomon is transported to New Orleans, where he is stripped of his identity and renamed 'Platt.' This marks the beginning of his harrowing journey into the depths of slavery, losing all that he once held dear.

Solomon is purchased by plantation owner William Ford, who is relatively kind compared to others. Solomon's carpentry skills shine as he constructs a waterway for efficient logging transportation, earning Ford's gratitude and a gift of a violin.

Conflict arises when carpenter John Tibeats grows resentful of Solomon's abilities. Their relationship culminates in a physical attack against Solomon, leading to a near-lynching incident that forces Ford to sell him.

Solomon is sold to Edwin Epps, a cruel plantation owner who uses a misinterpretation of the Bible to justify his actions. Epps forces the enslaved individuals, including Solomon, to pick an unbearable amount of cotton under brutality.

Patsey, a fellow slave, becomes the target of Epps' obsession as she can pick an astonishing 500 pounds of cotton daily. She endures horrific sexual assault from Epps while facing jealousy-driven abuse from his wife.

A devastating cotton worm blight strikes the plantation, and Epps wrongfully blames the newer slaves for the disaster. During their temporary lease to another plantation, Solomon's musical talents garner the attention of a neighboring owner.

Returning to Epps, Solomon attempts to use a coin to pay a man to send a letter to his friends in New York. Instead, he is betrayed, leading to a tragic moment where he burns the letter, extinguishing his last hope for freedom.

Solomon forms a bond with Bass, a Canadian laborer, who openly criticizes Epps' treatment of slaves. As the two navigate their dangerous surroundings, Bass becomes a key figure in Solomon's hope for liberation.

After discovering Patsey's absence, Epps punishes her severely upon her return. In a tormenting moment, he forces Solomon to whip Patsey, leaving Solomon profoundly traumatized by his inability to protect her.

In an act of desperation, Solomon confides in Bass about his abduction and pleads for assistance in sending a letter to Saratoga Springs. Bass's decision to aid him becomes a crucial turning point in Solomon's quest for freedom.

A local sheriff, accompanied by a man from Solomon’s past, arrives at the plantation to confirm Solomon's identity. Despite Epps' fierce protests, this moment signals an impending liberation that Solomon has long awaited.

After enduring twelve grueling years of slavery, Solomon is finally liberated. This moment is filled with emotional weight as he is torn from Epps' grasp and set free to reclaim his life.

Upon returning home, Solomon experiences an emotional reunion with his family. The sight of his beloved wife, daughter, and grandson fills him with warmth, reminding him of the love and life he fought to regain.