Our verdict on the latest historical books and media

A harrowing and spectacular piece of television

So far in 2021, The Underground Railroad stands out as the most essential viewing experience of the year. Created and directed by Barry Jenkins and based on the celebrated novel of the same name by Colson Whitehead, this new Amazon Prime series is an often harrowing look at the experience of slavery in early 19th century America that needs to be seen.

The idea of a ten-episode exploration of slavery may sound a little intimidating, but

The Underground Railroad aims at something more than brutal realism. Much like the book on which it’s based, the show is a mix of history and heightened reality. The titular railroad, for example, which in reality was a network of safehouses and ‘conductors’ who helped enslaved people to free states, is depicted here as a real subterranean rail system. But this railroad doesn’t so much take people to freedom as it takes us from one example of the subjugation and dehumanisation of Black people in America to another.

Jenkins is a master storyteller and he expertly weaves us through these moments, managing to create a gripping story of escape, emancipation, hope, dread and more. He is ably assisted by longtime cinematographer James Laxton, who marries beauty and destruction incredibly well throughout. The landscapes depicted are captivating, but always have a lingering threat of the unknown behind them. Nothing is purely good in this world.

This is the lesson that Cora gradually comes to learn, in a breakout performance from South African actress Thuso Mbedu. She’s put through an emotional whirlwind: tormented, chased, saved, lost, and always running. We understand Jenkins had a therapist on set to help his actors and crew deal with the emotional weight of what they were trying to portray. Given the deep well of emotional anguish on display in Mbedu’s performance, we can understand why that would feel necessary. Mbedu balances anger and torment very well, rightfully enraged and terrified in equal measure much of the time.

The Underground Railroad isn’t afraid to show the complex and contradictory nature of life during slavery in America. Some enslaved people seem resigned to their fate, much as Cora begins, while others resist. Some have sided with their enslavers and are ready to betray others for preferential treatment. One of the cruellest examples of this is the young boy Homer (Dillon) who works with the slave-catcher Ridgeway (Edgerton). He is not a slave, but is devoted to his White caretaker and committed to his role as sidekick in pursuit of Cora and others like her.

Ultimately, what the show displays incredibly well is the toxic effect slavery has on everyone, regardless of their place in or outside of the system. No one’s hands are clean when this level of injustice and systematic violence is allowed to persist. It’s a message wrapped up in stunning visuals, incredible performances and a captivating reimagining of history.