Is Native Son Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Native Son is likely a skip if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 104 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Native Son Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2019, Native Son emerges as a significant entry in the Drama domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of A young black man named Bigger Thomas takes a job working for a highly influential Chicago family, a decision that will change the course of his life forever. Unlike standard genre fare, Native Son attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Native Son features a noteworthy lineup led by Ashton Sanders . Supported by the likes of Margaret Qualley and Nick Robinson , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Native Son (2019) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.4/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Native Son Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Native Son is a Drama film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through nuanced character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Native Son Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Native Son attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Native Son reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Native Son?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Drama films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
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Full Cast & Crew of Native Son
- Ashton Sanders – Bigger Thomas
- Margaret Qualley – Mary Dalton
- Nick Robinson – Jan Erlone
- KiKi Layne – Bessie Mears
- Bill Camp – Henry Dalton
Top Highlights
Ashton SandersBigger Thomas
Margaret QualleyMary Dalton
Nick RobinsonJan Erlone
KiKi LayneBessie Mears
Bill CampHenry Dalton
Sanaa LathanTrudy Thomas
Elizabeth MarvelMrs. Dalton
David Alan GrierMarty
Lamar JohnsonJackson
Jerod HaynesGus
Where to Watch Native Son Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
JioHotstarParents Guide & Age Rating
Native Son has not been officially rated yet.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.4/10, and global collection metrics, Native Son stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2019 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Native Son movie hit or flop?
Native Son has received mixed reviews with a 5.4/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Native Son worth watching?
Native Son is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Native Son online?
Native Son is currently available for streaming on JioHotstar. You can also check for it on platforms like JioHotstar depending on your region.
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How Native Son Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Native Son
**I'd skip the book too.** _mild spoilers:_ This is not how you make a good movie and here is why. First off the protagonist is hard to get into, is he a punk or appreciative of the fine arts, is he a bicycle man or a driver, is he a hard ass or a lover? The story telling could not decide, there was evidence for everything. There is no way a broad audience can root for a scrawny, talent free nobody who's sense of humor is defined by holding a dead rat to his sister's face. The second big mistake, two thirds into the movie a main character dies. That's like eating a meal and half-way through someone takes away your side and says go ahead, eat up it's art now. At that point in the film it is safe to fast forward, skipping pathetic conversations the pot head fake-glasses-wearing hero has, with his bathroom sex jealous instead of happy for him girlfriend. And lastly, the probably biggest flaw of this "story". The plot was non-existent. Things happen, but none of them are intertwined. There is no structure, events just happen without connection, other than the time-line. Where are the scenes of importance you remember when interesting plot-twists happen? Where is the build-up? Character development? "Native Son" is not that kind of movie. "Native Son" is a bad movie. 1 star for production value. 8 April 2019 I am migrating my reviews from a different site which has become simply garbage. TMDB looks awesome and I look forward to be a part of it.
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
