Movie Profile: BLACK SNAKE MOAN
| Attribute | Details |
| Title | Black Snake Moan |
| Release Date | December 9, 2006 (Butt-Numb-A-Thon) • March 2, 2007 (Wide Release) |
| Director & Writer | Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow, Dolemite Is My Name) |
| Producers | Stephanie Allain, John Singleton |
| Genre | Drama, Music |
| Runtime | 116 minutes |
| Box Office | $10.9 million |
| Distributor | Paramount Vantage |
| Lead Cast |
• Samuel L. Jackson (Lazarus Redd) • Christina Ricci (Rae Doole) • Justin Timberlake (Ronnie Morgan) • S. Epatha Merkerson (Angela) • John Cothran (Reverend R. L.) • David Banner (Tehronne) • Kim Richards (Sandy Doole) |
Trailer
Plot Overview
In rural Mississippi, former blues guitarist Lazarus Redd (Samuel L. Jackson) is reeling from a devastating betrayal after his wife leaves him for his brother. Heartbroken and angry, Lazarus abandons his music, turns back to farming, and relies on his deep faith to navigate his grief.
Meanwhile, Rae Doole (Christina Ricci), a troubled young woman suffering from severe trauma and anxiety due to childhood abuse, spirals out of control after her boyfriend Ronnie (Justin Timberlake) leaves for military service in the National Guard. After a night of self-destructive binging and violence, Rae is beaten and left for dead on the side of a dirt road.
Lazarus discovers Rae’s unconscious body near his farm and nurses her back to health. Recognizing her deep psychological turmoil and self-destruction, he takes extreme measures to “cure” her soul—chaining her to a heavy radiator with a long iron chain to force her through detox and spiritual redemption. Through their unconventional bond, shared love of traditional blues, and mutual pain, both Lazarus and Rae help each other heal from their respective trauma—just as Ronnie unexpectedly returns home looking for her.
