Arts & Entertainment
Trailer drops for new Janelle Monáe thriller, ‘Antebellum’
Fans of musician and actress Janelle Monáe are finally getting a better look at the star’s next movie thanks to a provocative new trailer.
The new clip for “Antebellum,” dropped by Lionsgate on Thursday, reveals more about what to expect from the upcoming horror movie than an earlier teaser trailer that was released last November – but instead of answering our questions, it only leaves us asking more.
Described in studio publicity as “a terrifying thriller,” the eagerly-awaited film by directors Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz (Bush+Renz) is due for release on April 24. Produced by Sean McKittrick with Bush, Renz, Zev Foreman and Lezlie Wills, it features Monáe leading a cast that includes Marque Richardson II, Eric Lang, Jack Huston, Kiersey Clemons, Tongayi Chirisa, Gabourey Sidibe, Rob Aramayo, Lily Cowles, and Jena Malone.
According to the official synopsis, the movie centers on successful author Veronica Henley (played by Monáe), who “finds herself trapped in a horrifying reality and must uncover the mind-bending mystery before it’s too late.”
The trailer doesn’t give us many clues about the nature of that mystery, other than that it seems to involve a scenario in which Monáe (whose character is clearly a strong and empowered, modern woman of color) is thrust back in time into the era of American slavery – a reality far more horrifying than any supernatural trappings might be wrapped around it in Bush + Renz’ provocative thriller. With such a setting, it’s a sure bet that “Antebellum” will be the next entry into the rising sub-genre of racially-charged allegorical horror, following in the footsteps of “Get Out” and “Us” – both of which were also co-produced by McKittrick.
The brief (less than 45 seconds) clip may not answer our burning questions about what we can expect from the story, but it definitely leaves us wanting more of what looks to be a sharp and intense performance by Monáe.
You can watch the trailer below.
The Freddie’s Follies drag show was held at Freddie’s Beach Bar in Arlington, Va. on Saturday, Jan. 3. Performers included Monet Dupree, Michelle Livigne, Shirley Naytch, Gigi Paris Couture and Shenandoah.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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Queer highlights of the 2026 Critics Choice Awards: Aunt Gladys, that ‘Heated Rivalry’ shoutout and more
Amy Madigan’s win in the supporting actress category puts her in serious contention to win the Oscar for ‘Weapons’
From Chelsea Handler shouting out Heated Rivalry in her opening monologue to Amy Madigan proving that horror performances can (and should) be taken seriously, the Critics Choice Awards provided plenty of iconic moments for queer movie fans to celebrate on the long road to Oscar night.
Handler kicked off the ceremony by recapping the biggest moments in pop culture last year, from Wicked: For Good to Sinners. She also made room to joke about the surprise hit TV sensation on everyone’s minds: “Shoutout to Heated Rivalry. Everyone loves it! Gay men love it, women love it, straight men who say they aren’t gay but work out at Equinox love it!”
The back-to-back wins for Jacob Elordi in Frankenstein and Amy Madigan in Weapons are notable, given the horror bias that awards voters typically have. Aunt Gladys instantly became a pop culture phenomenon within the LGBTQ+ community when Zach Cregger’s hit horror comedy released in August, but the thought that Madigan could be a serious awards contender for such a fun, out-there performance seemed improbable to most months ago. Now, considering the sheer amount of critics’ attention she’s received over the past month, there’s no denying she’s in the running for the Oscar.
“I really wasn’t expecting all of this because I thought people would like the movie, and I thought people would dig Gladys, but you love Gladys! I mean, it’s crazy,” Madigan said during her acceptance speech. “I get [sent] makeup tutorials and paintings. I even got one weird thing about how she’s a sex icon also, which I didn’t go too deep into that one.”
Over on the TV side, Rhea Seehorn won in the incredibly competitive best actress in a drama series category for her acclaimed performance as Carol in Pluribus, beating out the likes of Emmy winner Britt Lower for Severance, Carrie Coon for The White Lotus, and Bella Ramsey for The Last of Us. Pluribus, which was created by Breaking Bad’s showrunner Vince Gilligan, has been celebrated by audiences for its rich exploration of queer trauma and conversion therapy.
Jean Smart was Hack’s only win of the night, as Hannah Einbinder couldn’t repeat her Emmy victory in the supporting actress in a comedy series category against Janelle James, who nabbed a trophy for Abbott Elementary. Hacks lost the best comedy series award to The Studio, as it did at the Emmys in September. And in the limited series category, Erin Doherty repeated her Emmy success in supporting actress, joining in yet another Adolescence awards sweep.
As Oscar fans speculate on what these Critics Choice wins mean for future ceremonies, we have next week’s Golden Globes ceremony to look forward to on Jan. 11.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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