Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith are on the run in Queen & Slim trailer

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Universal released the first look at their new movie QUEEN & SLIM yesterday, starring Daniel Kaluuya (GET OUT, WIDOWS) and Jodie Turner-Smith (NIGHTFLYERS on SyFy) as “Slim” and “Queen”, who become folk heroes across the country after the former shoots a cop, sending the two on the run. Written by Lena Waithe (MASTER OF NONE, Showtime’s THE CHI) based on an original story from author James Frey (“A Million Little Pieces”, “Katerina”), the movie marks the film debut of director Melina Matsoukas.

When watching the trailer, it doesn’t take long to notice the links between movies like BONNIE & CLYDE and THELMA & LOUISE, both of which have cemented themselves as true classics. What QUEEN & SLIM has going for it that those others don’t is how it takes that premise of outlaws on the run and combines it with themes of racism in America, the true cost of violence and police brutality, all wrapping it up in a love story centered on two people who only just met.

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Universal must have some big awards hopes for the movie by setting it up for a November 27 release, and it could easily hit some festivals before then. From what I saw in the trailer it looks like a beautifully filmed crime drama that takes a look at relevant themes through an engaging lens and seems to sport two excellent performances from its leads. It has potential to be a critical hit destined to get in the crowds looking for a break from holiday movies on all sides, although it will be going up against one massive movie in FROZEN 2 and other smaller awards hopefuls like A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD with Tom Hanks and Rian Johnson’s KNIVES OUT.

Here are some images:

Here's the synopsis:

While on a forgettable first date together in Ohio, a black man (Get Out’s Daniel Kaluuya) and a black woman (Jodie Turner-Smith, in her first starring feature-film role), are pulled over for a minor traffic infraction. The situation escalates, with sudden and tragic results, when the man kills the police officer in self-defense. Terrified and in fear for their lives, the man, a retail employee, and the woman, a criminal defense lawyer, are forced to go on the run. But the incident is captured on video and goes viral, and the couple unwittingly become a symbol of trauma, terror, grief and pain for people across the country.

QUEEN & SLIM is in theaters November 27.