Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Play trailer

2:19

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

R

2020

1h 34m

History

Drama

Music

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

318 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Tensions and temperatures rise at a Chicago music studio in 1927 when fiery, fearless blues singer Ma Rainey joins her band for a recording session.

Watch on Netflix

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Framed by a pair of powerhouse performances, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom pays affectionate tribute to a blues legend -- and Black culture at large.

Read Critics Reviews

Christina Newland

iNews.co.uk

09/23/2024

4/5

The poignant conclusion is as bitter as it is heartbreaking, because, fictional though it is, its story of racism, rage and lost promise shows an essential truth.

Go to Full Review

Shelli Nicole

Autostraddle

04/13/2022

The focus of the film is more on Levee, Chadwick Boseman’s character. It felt like Viola was the pull but I was left wanting to learn even more about Ma Rainey than before. However, that’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy the film because I absolutely did.

Go to Full Review

Roxana Hadadi

Pajiba

03/21/2021

The sense that we're beholden to the whims of unseen forces-that we're not the protagonists of our own stories-cuts deep in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

Go to Full Review

Joonatan Itkonen

Region Free

07/14/2024

4/5

While not perfect, it’s another milestone for Netflix in delivering smart, adult fare to theaters, and a gorgeous swansong for an actor gone too soon.

Go to Full Review

Ryan McQuade

InSession Film

04/04/2024

B-

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom leaves a little to be desired, even though Boseman gives the performance of his career. It’s a shame that the film he is in isn’t as wonderful as he, but with this, he leaves a legacy.

Go to Full Review

Farah Cheded

A Good Movie To Watch

10/14/2023

Unabashedly stagy in many respects, a quality that can work both ways — but, ultimately, the crackling current that runs through Davis and Boseman’s acting gives the movie all the blazing, goosebump-inducing immediacy of a live performance.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Raymond

06/05/2021

Whew. The overwhelming sense of being trapped as a black person, disregarded and disrespected leading to despair. Outstanding screenplay, acting, directing and music. The last scene appropriately made us white folks seem small and lame.

See more

Michael schwab

04/14/2021

Viola and chad excellent! Fascinating would like to see again! Great film.

See more

Shawan L

@ShawanLLibang Jan 27

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom delivers a sharp, soulful punch. Viola Davis dominates every scene with fierce charisma, while Chadwick Boseman gives a stunning, emotionally charged final performance. The film’s rhythm, dialogue, and tension pull you in from start to finish. Powerful, vibrant, and unforgettable absolutely worth watching

See more

Uzubenathi N

@RT59422573 Dec 16

Didn't expect to be this disappointed.Most of the run time was filled by Chadwick as Levee the mentally disturbed, ranting and raving trumpeter

See more

Meri S.

@mschroeder Sep 6

DNF. Written more like a play.

See more

Tom M

@RT77934561 Aug 21

This would of course work better on stage. I confess ignorance to the fact it started life as an August Wilson play. Once you realise this is the play then it's best to just go with it, enjoy the language and the rich character acting. Viola is a revelation.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

George C. Wolfe

Director

Viola Davis

Ma Rainey

Chadwick Boseman

Levee

Glynn Turman

Toledo

Colman Domingo

Cutler

Michael Potts

Slow Drag

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom: Movie Clip - Got Talent

0:36

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom: Movie Clip - Deep Moaning Blues

1:23

View more videos

Miles Ahead

74%

57%

Miles Ahead

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Miles Ahead

The United States vs. Billie Holiday

55%

79%

The United States vs. Billie Holiday

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The United States vs. Billie Holiday

Mudbound

97%

85%

Mudbound

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Mudbound

Bolden

70%

42%

Bolden

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Bolden

Nico, 1988

94%

64%

Nico, 1988

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Nico, 1988

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom: Trailer 1

2:19

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Tensions and temperatures rise at a Chicago music studio in 1927 when fiery, fearless blues singer Ma Rainey joins her band for a recording session.

Director: George C. Wolfe
Producer: Todd Black, Denzel Washington, Dany Wolf
Screenwriter: Ruben Santiago-Hudson
Distributor: Netflix
Production Co: Netflix
Rating: R (Language|Brief Violence|Some Sexual Content)
Genre: History, Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 25, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 18, 2020
Runtime: 1h 34m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now