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Characters & Themes

Harriet (2019) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 125 min · English
Echo score 62
JustWatch #10,631 8
Directed by
Kasi Lemmons
Starring
Clarke Peters, Joe Alwyn, Leslie Odom Jr., Deborah Ayorinde, Henry Hunter Hall, Omar J. Dorsey
Budget
$17M

Fueled by courage and an unwavering resolve, Harriet Tubman bravely escapes slavery and dedicates her life to liberating others. She journeys through dangerous terrain, risking her own freedom to guide countless enslaved people to safety along the Underground Railroad, ultimately becoming a symbol of hope and a legendary figure in American history.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Harriet
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Harriet (2019)

Where can you watch Harriet? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix, Netflix Standard and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

Harriet Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Harriet (2019), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Araminta 'Minty' Ross / Harriet Tubman (Cynthia Erivo)

    Harriet Tubman, originally named Araminta 'Minty' Ross, is a young enslaved woman whose journey from bondage to freedom defines her life. She is courageous, resourceful, and compassionate, demonstrating a fierce determination to rescue her family and others from enslavement. Her resilience and leadership eventually earn her the nickname 'Moses' as she guides many to freedom.

    • 🎖️ Hero
    • 🕊️ Freedom Seeker
    • 💪 Resilient
  • Gideon Brodess (Joe Alwyn)

    Gideon Brodess, the son of Minty's owner, represents the oppressive force of slavery. He is portrayed as conflicted, struggling with his upbringing and the morality of his family's actions. His character showcases the inner turmoil faced by individuals within an oppressive system as he becomes increasingly enraged by Harriet's defiance.

    • ⚔️ Antagonist
    • 😡 Oppressor
  • William Still (Leslie Odom Jr.)

    William Still is a dedicated abolitionist and a prominent leader in the Underground Railroad. His commitment to the cause and interactions with Harriet illustrate the powerful network of support that existed for escaping slaves. He serves as a mentor and source of inspiration for Harriet, encouraging her to take on a vital role in the fight for freedom.

    • 🤝 Ally
    • 🗽 Abolitionist
  • Marie Buchanon (Janelle Monáe)

    Marie Buchanon is a freewoman and boarding-house owner who aids Harriet in her escape. Her character represents the courage of free Blacks during this era as she provides shelter and support to those in need. Marie's nurturing presence is pivotal in Harriet's transition from slave to a leader in the abolitionist movement.

    • 🏡 Supporter
    • ✊ Freedom Advocate

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:34

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Setting

Where and When Does Harriet Take Place?

The setting of Harriet (2019): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

1840s

The 1840s was a tumultuous decade marked by the persistence of slavery in the United States and the burgeoning abolitionist movement. During this time, many enslaved individuals sought freedom, often risking their lives through perilous escapes. The introduction of the Fugitive Slave Act intensified fears and tensions surrounding the plight of enslaved people.

Location

Maryland, Philadelphia, Canada

The movie takes place in the slave state of Maryland, known for its historical complexities surrounding slavery. Philadelphia serves as a beacon of hope and a critical stop on the Underground Railroad where Harriet finds support from abolitionists. Canada represents freedom and safety for those escaping slavery, highlighting its role as a destination for runaway slaves.

  • 🌍 Locations
  • 🏞️ Geography

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:34

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3 major themes

Harriet Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Harriet (2019) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Freedom

    The quest for freedom is central to Harriet's journey as she bravely escapes slavery and becomes a conductor on the Underground Railroad. Her determination to save herself and others reflects the universal struggle against oppression. Through her actions, she embodies the hope and resilience of those seeking liberation.

  • Sacrifice

    Sacrifice is a recurring theme, as Harriet risks her life and safety to rescue her family and others from bondage. Her choices underscore the harsh realities faced by those in pursuit of freedom and the emotional toll of leaving loved ones behind. The theme highlights the personal cost associated with the fight for justice.

  • Courage

    Harriet's story exemplifies incredible courage in the face of danger. Her defiance in jumping into the river rather than returning to captivity symbolizes her unyielding spirit. This theme illustrates how courage can inspire others to rise and fight against injustice.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:34

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Character & theme questions

Harriet Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Harriet (2019): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does Harriet take place?

The movie is primarily set in Maryland, a slave state, where Harriet escapes from captivity. Philadelphia serves as a critical stop on the Underground Railroad, offering hope and support from abolitionists. Canada represents the final destination of freedom for those escaping slavery.

  • maryland
  • philadelphia
  • canada
  • setting
  • underground railroad
  • locations
Q2

What time period does Harriet depict?

Harriet is set in the 1840s, a decade defined by the persistence of slavery in the United States and the growing abolitionist movement. The era was marked by the introduction of the Fugitive Slave Act, which intensified fears and dangers for enslaved people seeking freedom.

  • 1840s
  • time period
  • historical era
  • slavery
  • fugitive slave act
Q3

What are the main themes in Harriet?

The three dominant themes are Freedom, Sacrifice, and Courage. Freedom drives Harriet's journey from bondage to leading others to liberation. Sacrifice explores the emotional cost of leaving loved ones behind to rescue others. Courage is exemplified by her defiance and willingness to risk her life, inspiring others to fight against injustice.

  • themes
  • freedom
  • sacrifice
  • courage
  • meaning
  • message
Q4

Who are the main characters in Harriet?

The main characters include Harriet Tubman (originally Araminta 'Minty' Ross), the enslaved woman who becomes a conductor on the Underground Railroad. Gideon Brodess represents the oppressive slave-owning class. William Still is a key abolitionist mentor, and Marie Buchanon is a freewoman who aids Harriet's escape.

  • characters
  • cast
  • william still
  • marie buchanon
  • gideon brodess
Q5

Who helps Harriet escape slavery?

Harriet receives help from several key figures. Marie Buchanon, a free Black woman who runs a boarding house, provides shelter and support during Harriet's transition to freedom. William Still, a prominent Philadelphia abolitionist, becomes her mentor and supports her role in the Underground Railroad.

  • help
  • escape
  • marie buchanon
  • william still
  • abolitionists
Q6

Why is freedom the central theme in Harriet?

Freedom is the driving force of the entire narrative. Harriet's brave escape from slavery and her subsequent dedication to liberating others embodies the universal struggle against oppression. Her journey transforms her from an escaped slave into 'Moses,' a leader who guides countless people to freedom along the Underground Railroad.

  • freedom
  • underground railroad
  • liberation
  • slavery
  • oppression
Q7

What role does Philadelphia play in the story?

Philadelphia serves as a beacon of hope and a critical hub on the Underground Railroad. It is where Harriet finds support from the abolitionist community, particularly William Still. The city represents the possibility of freedom in the North and becomes a base for Harriet's eventual work as a conductor.

  • philadelphia
  • abolitionists
  • underground railroad
  • north
  • freedom
Q8

How does the movie portray slavery in Maryland?

Maryland is portrayed as a slave state with historical complexities surrounding slavery. The movie shows the harsh realities of enslavement and the constant threat of being captured. Harriet's escape from Maryland sets the entire narrative in motion, and the state's oppressive conditions motivate her subsequent missions to free others.

  • maryland
  • slavery
  • slave state
  • enslavement
  • oppression
Q9

Who is William Still in Harriet?

William Still is depicted as a dedicated abolitionist and prominent leader in the Underground Railroad network in Philadelphia. He serves as a mentor to Harriet, encouraging her to take on a vital role in the fight for freedom. His character illustrates the powerful network of support that existed for escaping enslaved people.

  • william still
  • abolitionist
  • mentor
  • philadelphia
  • underground railroad
Q10

Who is Marie Buchanon in the film?

Marie Buchanon is a free Black woman who owns a boarding house and aids Harriet in her escape. She represents the courage of free Blacks during the 1840s who risked their safety to help those escaping slavery. Her nurturing presence is pivotal in Harriet's transformation from slave to leader.

  • marie buchanon
  • boarding house
  • free black
  • support
  • helper
Q11

Why is courage a major theme in Harriet?

Courage permeates the entire film as Harriet repeatedly risks her life in defiance of slavery. Her willingness to jump into the river rather than return to captivity symbolizes her unyielding spirit. This theme illustrates how individual acts of courage can inspire collective action against injustice.

  • courage
  • bravery
  • defiance
  • inspiration
  • resistance
Q12

What does Canada represent in Harriet?

Canada represents ultimate freedom and safety for those escaping slavery. After the Fugitive Slave Act made Northern states dangerous, Canada became the destination where escaped enslaved people could live without fear of being captured and returned. It symbolizes the hope of true liberty.

  • canada
  • freedom
  • destination
  • fugitive slave act
  • safety

Movie threads

More Movies Like Harriet, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Harriet tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Defiant biographical dramas like Harriet

True stories of individuals who risked everything to defy injustice. Find more movies like Harriet that depict true stories of courage and defiance. These historical dramas and biographical films feature individuals fighting against injustice, offering hopeful and empowering narratives rooted in real events.

  • determined
  • hopeful
  • gripping
  • empowering
  • tense
  • historical
  • Tone: hopeful, determined
  • Pacing: steady, methodical
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow a linear, straightforward path, chronicling the protagonist's journey from oppression to action. The focus is on their unwavering resolve and the sequential, often perilous, steps they take to achieve their goal, building towards a triumphant or historically significant conclusion.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their focus on a singular, courageous figure from history, a steady-paced biographical structure, a tone that balances heavy subject matter with hopeful determination, and a high-intensity emotional weight derived from real-world stakes.

Movies with hopeful journeys through harsh realities like Harriet

Stories where hope and resilience triumph over dark, difficult circumstances. If you liked the hopeful tone of Harriet despite its heavy subject matter, explore these movies. They share a similar vibe of finding light in darkness, featuring determined characters who overcome immense adversity with courage and resolve.

  • hopeful
  • heartbreaking
  • gripping
  • empowering
  • tense
  • anxious
  • Tone: hopeful, gripping
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a protagonist enduring a series of devastating setbacks within a grim context. Their emotional journey is one of perseverance, where each hardship is met with greater resolve, leading to a climax that affirms their spirit and delivers a cathartic, happy or hopeful ending.

Why they belong together: These movies are connected by a core emotional contradiction: a heavy, often dark, setting contrasted with a persistently hopeful and empowering character arc. The shared experience is one of emotional weight balanced by triumphant resolve and a steady, gripping pace.

If you liked this

Movies Like Harriet

Similar movies to Harriet: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

Harriet (2019) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Harriet in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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