Harriet

Harriet is currently streaming in the US on Netflix, and it rewards the patience it asks of you. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Cynthia Erivo's performance alone is worth the time investment. Available now on Netflix — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Harriet arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. The writing in Harriet treats its characters as people first, plot devices second. The extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America's greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history. Cynthia Erivo and Leslie Odom Jr. Lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2019. What elevates Harriet is a refusal to let any character off the hook too easily. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

For anyone looking for storytelling that takes its characters seriously, Harriet delivers. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Cynthia Erivo carries the material with a performance that rewards close attention. Worth starting sooner rather than later.