How a 2019 biopic brought the legendary life of Harriet Tubman to the screen.

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The 2019 film Harriet chronicles the harrowing journey of Araminta Ross, who escaped slavery to become the iconic conductor known as Moses. Starring Cynthia Erivo, the production navigates the tension between historical tribute and cinematic formula, offering a visceral look at a life defined by courage, visions, and relentless liberation.

The development of the film Harriet was a long-term endeavor, with various iterations considered over several years. By 2015, Viola Davis was attached to star and produce, though that version never materialized. Production on the final project began in May 2016, with Cynthia Erivo eventually cast in the lead role. Directed by Kasi Lemmons, the film was shot entirely in Virginia, utilizing locations like the Berkeley Plantation to recreate the historical settings of the 19th century.

The narrative follows the life of Minty, a slave in Maryland who experiences visions following a childhood head injury. After her owner, Edward Brodess, refuses to honor a legal document promising her family's freedom, she escapes to Philadelphia. There, she adopts the name Harriet Tubman and joins the Underground Railroad. The film depicts her evolution into a conductor who leads dozens of slaves to safety, eventually navigating the dangers of the Fugitive Slave Act and the threat of slave catchers.

Critical reception was mixed but generally favorable. While some reviewers, such as those at IndieWire and Variety, felt the film relied on conventional biopic tropes, Erivo’s performance was widely praised as a powerful and soulful centerpiece. The film holds a 74% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an A+ grade from CinemaScore audiences. Beyond its dramatic retelling, the film concludes with an epilogue detailing Tubman's real-life accomplishments, including her role as a Union spy and her leadership in the Combahee River Raid, which freed more than 750 slaves.

Financially, the film performed modestly, grossing $44 million worldwide against a $17 million production budget. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2019 before its wide release in November. Despite criticisms regarding its formulaic approach, the film stands as a significant attempt to dramatize the life of a pivotal figure in American history, blending historical events with the intense, personal struggle of a woman who famously declared her will to be free or die.

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