David Oyelowo is heading back to the big screen, and this time, he is taking audiences on a mind-bending ride. The acclaimed actor is starring in Newborn, an emotionally charged, edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller written and directed by Nate Parker. After years of anticipation, the film is officially gearing up for an exclusive theatrical release at AMC Theatres on April 10.
Newborn, which was originally titled Solitary, follows the harrowing journey of Chris Newborn (played by Oyelowo). After serving seven grueling years in solitary confinement, Chris is finally released and seeks to rebuild his life and reconnect with his family.
However, his transition back into society is far from smooth. He quickly discovers that his newfound freedom has become a terrifying psychological battleground, pushing his mind to its absolute limits.
The project holds a special significance for both Oyelowo and Parker, who produced the film under their joint production and distribution label, Mansa Studios, alongside Aaron L. Gilbert and Christina Lee Storm. The cast is rounded out by Olivia Washington, Barry Pepper, and Jimmie Fails.
If it feels like this movie has been a long time coming, that is because it has. Newborn originally went into production back in 2020. Like many indie projects, it had to navigate the massive hurdles of the COVID-19 pandemic and an increasingly difficult distribution landscape for independent films. Fortunately, a partnership with AMC Theatres ultimately gave the film the theatrical push it deserved.
Nikkole Denson-Randolph, Chief Content Officer at AMC Theatres, praised the project, sharing that Newborn is “the kind of bold, provocative, and original storytelling that comes alive on the big screen.”
For Parker and Oyelowo, preserving the communal theatrical experience was non-negotiable.
“It was essential to us that audiences experience this emotionally charged, edge-of-your-seat thriller together—on the biggest possible stage, and AMC provides both scale and a dedicated audience,” Parker shared about the partnership.
Oyelowo echoed that exact sentiment, sharing that AMC perfectly understood their vision for the project. “When it came to our distribution goals, AMC truly understood the empowering direct-to-consumer nature of the partnership we were seeking for our film while embracing the non-algorithmic yet immersive experience we wanted the audience to have,” the actor added.
If the intense new trailer is any indication, Newborn promises to be a gripping, thought-provoking thriller that will stay with audiences long after the end credits roll.
Newborn hits AMC theaters April 10. Check out the trailer below.
