Ragesh Dipu
Universal Pictures has dropped the first look trailer for the upcoming drama ‘Queen & Slim’ on Sunday during the BET Awards. Written by Emmy-winning Lena Waithe (‘Master of None’) and directed by Melina Matsoukas, the Bonnie and Clyde flick stars Daniel Kaluuya (‘Get Out’) and debutante Jodie Turner-Smith.
The 1-minute 30-second trailer showcases Slim (Kaluuya), a retail employee, and Queen (Turner-Smith), a criminal defense lawyer, meets up in a restaurant for their first date. As the two start to get to know each other, things take a wild turn. On the way back through the deserted night streets of Ohio, they are asked to pull over by the cops for a minor traffic violation. In the confrontation that follows Slim kills the cop in self-deference.
Terrified, the couple goes on the run. But the incident is captured on video and goes viral. Slim and Queen’s lives turn upside down when they are tagged as “cop killers.” They “unwittingly become a symbol of trauma, terror, grief, and pain for people across the country,” according to the film’s synopsis.
“What do you want?” asks Queen in the trailer.
“I want to ride-or-die,” replies Slim.
Waithe adapted the screenplay from an original idea conceived by writer James Frey. Waithe also produce the movie for her home banner Hillman Grad Productions along with Matsoukas’ De La Revolución Films, Frey’s 3BlackDot, Andrew Coles, and Michelle Knudsen. While Makeready finances the movie, Universal Pictures will distribute it worldwide. eOne handles distribution in the U.K. and Canada.
Other cast includes Bokeem Woodbine (‘Fargo’), Chloe Sevigny (‘The Act’), and Grammy-winning musician Sturgill Simpson.
Waithe won a Primetime Emmy Award for her screenplay for Netflix’s ‘Master of None.’ She is also known for Showtime’s ‘The Chi’ and BET’s ‘Boomerang’ and ‘Twenties.’ Director Melina Matsoukas is best known for her breakout music videos for Beyonce and Rihanna, HBO’s ‘Insecure’ and FX’s ‘Y.’ ‘Queen & Slim’ is both the writer and director’s feature film debut.
“It’s meant to get people talking,” Waithe said when she released exclusive first look footage at Cinemacon earlier this year. “The film is not made to give the audience answers, but instead to ask questions and show what it looks like to be black and in love while the world is burning all around you.”
‘Queen & Slim’ is set to hit theaters on November 27, 2019. Watch the first look trailer below.
Cover Image Courtesy: Universal Pictures.
