Native Son

In the early 1940s, Hannah Thomas leaves the South with her three children, fleeing the horrific lynching of her husband. Settling in Chicago's black belt, they live in a cramped kitchenette, struggling with their new life.

The family's life takes an unsettling turn when they discover a rat in their home, which they nickname 'old man Dalton' after their landlord. In a moment of frustration, Bigger, Hannah's oldest son, kills the rat, symbolizing his growing unease about their living situation.

A relief agency worker approaches Bigger with a job offer as a chauffeur for the wealthy Dalton family. Despite his initial reluctance, he decides to take the job, marking a significant change in his life circumstances.

Bigger meets with his girlfriend Bessie, a waitress, who is thrilled by the prospect of singing at a club. However, Bigger grapples with jealousy and suspicion as he contemplates his feelings for Bessie and his interest in Mary Dalton.

Bigger drives Mary Dalton and her friend Jan to a club where they engage in patronizing conversations about race. The evening reveals both the stark divides between them and the pressure Bigger feels in their company.

After a night of drinking, Mary mistakenly puts herself in a vulnerable position when she asks Bigger to help her to her bedroom. In a moment of panic, fearing exposure due to their racial dynamics, Bigger accidentally kills her.

In a desperate bid to hide his crime, Bigger carries Mary's body to the furnace in the cellar. The next day, he fabricates a story about her disappearance, implicating Jan and deflecting suspicion from himself.

With a plan for ransom money, Bigger tells Bessie about his idea to claim they have kidnapped Mary Dalton. Although Bessie is hesitant, she ultimately agrees to aid him, showcasing their troubled relationship.

As the police begin their search for Bigger, tension mounts, exacerbated by the discovery of human remains in the furnace. Bigger, feeling trapped, comprehensively becomes a fugitive despite the evidence steadily building against him.

In an abandoned building, Bigger confesses to Bessie that he killed Mary, explaining the fear that drove him to commit the act. Their conversation escalates into a confrontation, highlighting Bessie's turmoil and Bigger's deepening despair.

After a series of unfortunate events, Bigger's paranoia culminates in the tragic death of Bessie. Convulsed by fear and betrayal, he throws her down an elevator shaft, revealing the depths of his psychological breakdown.

The police, tipped off about Bigger's location, storm the building where he and Bessie are hiding. In a desperate attempt to escape, Bigger shoots at the officers but is ultimately subdued and apprehended.

Hannah and Bigger's family come to visit him in jail. Hannah's request for prayer reflects their shattered family dynamic and the overwhelming grief surrounding the events that transpired.

In a poignant moment, Bigger contemplates his actions and expresses regret for what he has done. He hopes his tragic story serves as a warning for future generations, emphasizing the societal issues that contributed to his violent choices.

As he prepares for his execution in the electric chair, Bigger reflects on his life and the relationships he had. He asks his lawyer to convey a message to Jan, underlining his complicated feelings in the face of his impending death.