‘American Son’ on Netflix: What to Know About the Kerry Washington’s New Movie

Netflix may not have taken home that many Emmys last night, but that doesn’t mean the streaming service didn’t take full advantage of the award show. During the broadcast, Netflix dropped the first trailer for American Son, an upcoming film adaptation of Kerry Washington‘s buzzed-about 2018 Broadway play.

Officially dubbed a “Netflix television event,” American Son is really more like a movie—an approximately 90-minute installment that finds Washington and her Broadway co-stars in front of the screen, acting out Christopher Demos-Brown’s critically-acclaimed play. Reviews of the film out of the Toronto Film Festival are mixed, but we have faith that Olivia Pope can make anything watchable. And if the rave reviews of Washington’s performance on Broadway are any indication, you won’t want to miss this one. Here’s everything we know so far about American Son on Netflix.

What is the American Son Broadway play about? What is the American Son plot?

American Son opened on Broadway last fall. The plot follows a mother named Kendra Ellis-Connor whose 18-year-old son Jamal is missing. As the story wears on, Kendra’s desperation and agony build, as she waits with her estranged, white husband Scott for news. The police officer who waits with them, Officer Larkin, is less than helpful, while the lieutenant who arrives later in the story is a powerful figure.

In the play—which was directed by Kenny Leon, who also directed the film—the entire story takes place at a police station, while mother and father anxiously await news regarding their missing son. Based on the Netflix trailer, it’s possible the film might take that direction, too. (Though often film adaptations of plays, such as 2016’s Fences, will add a few more locations to make it feel more cinematic.) The New York Times called it Leon’s “best work to date,” and ” a slice of a nightmare,” so get ready.

What is the American Son premiere date?

American Son premiered at Toronto Film Festival on September 12, and will head to Netflix on November 1.

Who’s in the American Son cast?

All the actors from the play will also play their roles in the film, including Scandal‘s Kerry Washington as Kendra, Rescue Me actor Steven Pasquale as her on-screen husband Scott, Supergirl‘s Jeremy Jordan as Officer Larkin, and Eugene Lee as Lieutenant John Stokes.

Is there an American Son trailer?

There sure is! Watch the new trailer for American Son above.

Watch American Son on Netflix