The story of Harriet Tubman's escape and mission for freedom
Harriet is a 2019 biographical drama that traces the extraordinary life of Harriet Tubman, the legendary abolitionist who escaped slavery and became one of America's most fearless freedom fighters. The film centers on Tubman's own harrowing escape from Maryland's Eastern Shore, where she endured decades of brutal enslavement, and her subsequent transformation into a conductor on the Underground Railroad. What makes this narrative compelling isn't just the historical scope—it's the personal reckoning at its heart. Haunted by the memory of those she left behind, Harriet ventures back into the dangerous South repeatedly, risking capture and death to guide family members and other enslaved people toward liberation. Director Kasi Lemmons crafts a story that's part action thriller, part intimate character study, anchored by Cynthia Erivo's powerhouse performance as a woman driven by both trauma and an unshakeable moral conviction.
Behind the making of Harriet and its awards recognition
Kasi Lemmons, known for her work on the HBO series Lovecraft Country, wrote and directed Harriet alongside co-writer Gregory Allen Howard. The film arrived in November 2019 with considerable awards momentum, earning two Oscar nominations and a total of 21 wins across 56 nominations at various ceremonies. It secured a PG-13 rating despite its unflinching depiction of slavery's violence, making it accessible to younger audiences interested in this chapter of American history. The cast surrounding Erivo is sterling: Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton) plays a key ally, Janelle Monáe brings her characteristic intensity to a supporting role, and Clarke Peters, Vanessa Bell Calloway, and Omar J. Dorsey round out an ensemble that grounds the story in authentic emotional weight. At the box office, Harriet earned $43 million domestically—a solid return for a historical drama that wasn't a franchise or adaptation of a bestselling novel. Critics and aggregators gave it mixed-to-positive marks: Rotten Tomatoes certified it Fresh at 74%, while Metascore rated it 66/100, suggesting the kind of film that works better for some viewers than others. The 125-minute runtime allows breathing room for character development, though some felt it didn't quite justify the length.
What makes Harriet's performances stand out despite narrative stumbles
What's striking is how much Erivo carries this film on sheer presence and skill. She doesn't just play Harriet as a symbol or a saint—there's a ferocity to her, a real person wrestling with trauma, faith, and the weight of responsibility. In one scene, you can see her processing the decision to turn back toward danger; it's not a heroic moment played for the camera, but something quieter and more devastating. The supporting cast deserves credit too. Leslie Odom Jr. brings a measured gravity to his role, and Janelle Monáe's performance—though brief—carries an urgency that lingers. Reviewers consistently praised the acting even when they found fault with the film's broader structure. One critic noted that Erivo's "sheer determination, coupled with a feistiness and courage" is indeed well captured, even if the surrounding material sometimes felt like "an ordinary television movie." That's the central tension of Harriet: it's elevated by its cast and by Lemmons' visual direction, yet it can't quite escape the constraints of a conventional biopic formula. The film reaches for something grand—exploring themes of agency, Black resistance, and the psychological cost of freedom—but occasionally settles for more familiar storytelling beats. Still, the performances anchor it. They make you care.
Where to stream Harriet online
Harriet is currently available on Prime Video, where you can watch it on-demand. If you're hunting for where this film streams, Movie OTT tracks real-time availability across major platforms, so you can confirm it's still there before you settle in. Since streaming catalogs shift, it's worth checking the Where to Watch widget at the top of this page to see if Harriet is available in your region. Prime Video's rental and purchase options make it accessible whether you have a subscription or prefer to buy it outright. Given the film's 125-minute runtime and the depth of Erivo's performance, it's the kind of movie that rewards a focused viewing—not something to half-watch while scrolling.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is Harriet based on a true story?
Yes, Harriet is based on the real life of Harriet Tubman, the abolitionist and conductor on the Underground Railroad who escaped slavery in 1849 and subsequently led dozens of enslaved people to freedom. The film dramatizes key events from her life while taking some creative liberties with dialogue and specific incidents.
Q: Who directed Harriet and who stars in it?
Kasi Lemmons directed and co-wrote Harriet, with Gregory Allen Howard as co-writer. Cynthia Erivo plays the title role, with Leslie Odom Jr., Janelle Monáe, Clarke Peters, Vanessa Bell Calloway, and Omar J. Dorsey in supporting roles.
Q: What's the runtime and rating of Harriet?
Harriet runs 125 minutes and is rated PG-13, making it suitable for teens and adults, though it does contain depictions of slavery's violence.
Q: How did Harriet perform at the box office and with critics?
The film earned $43 million domestically and received mixed-to-positive reviews, with a 74% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metascore of 66. It earned two Oscar nominations and won 21 awards across 56 total nominations.
Q: Where can I watch Harriet right now?
Harriet is available on Prime Video. You can check the Where to Watch widget on this page to confirm current availability in your region, and Movie OTT keeps those listings updated as streaming rights shift.
Final thoughts on whether you should watch Harriet
Harriet isn't a perfect film—it sometimes plays it safer than the story deserves—but it's absolutely worth your time. Erivo's performance alone justifies the two hours, and there's real value in seeing Harriet Tubman's story brought to the screen with this level of production and star power. The film succeeds most when it focuses on the internal struggle: the psychological cost of freedom, the impossible choice between saving yourself and returning for others, the way trauma shapes courage. If you're looking for a biographical drama that doesn't shy away from historical brutality while also celebrating Black agency and resistance, Harriet delivers. It's the kind of film that lingers—not always because it's flawless, but because what it gets right, it gets really right.
