Emancipation

One man's journey from bondage to freedom.

Inspired by true events, Emancipation follows Peter, a man who escapes enslavement on a Louisiana plantation and endures the swamps, the hunters, and the war beyond in a relentless bid for freedom and reunion with his family. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and led by Will Smith as Peter, the film draws on the historical 1863 photographs of "Whipped Peter" — images that helped galvanize public opposition to slavery — to tell a story of faith, endurance, and human dignity.

Produced by Westbrook Studios in association with McFarland Entertainment and Escape Artists for Apple Original Films, the film released in theaters and on Apple TV+ in December 2022. A large-scale historical drama built around a demanding central performance, it reflects the ambition and reach of Westbrook's feature slate.