Antebellum

As the sun rises over the sprawling antebellum plantation, a sense of foreboding settles like a shroud over its inhabitants. The arrival of Confederate troops, led by Jasper (Jack Huston), brings with it a group of desperate runaways, including Amara (Achok Majak), whose flight from captivity is met with brutal force as she's chased down and killed by Jasper on horseback. This stark introduction to the film's harsh realities sets the tone for the cruel world that follows.

In the midst of this chaos, Eden (Janelle Monae) is brought before her owner, a Confederate general known only as "Him" (Eric Lange), who brutalizes her with a branding iron, searing his mark into her back as she screams in agony. The sound of her weakly crying out her name hangs in the air like a challenge to the cruel fate that has been imposed upon her.

Six weeks later, a fresh group of captives is brought to the plantation, and Jasper's authority is reinforced by his order to remain silent unless explicitly permitted. His wife Elizabeth (Jena Malone) brings their daughter to select one of the women in the group, whom she names Julia (Kiersey Clemons). As Eden takes Julia under her wing, the young girl asks pointed questions about their surroundings and circumstances, only to be rebuked by Eden's stern warning to remain quiet.

Meanwhile, Eli (Tongayi Chirisa) approaches Eden with a glimmer of hope in his eyes, seeking guidance on how to escape. But Eden's spirits have been broken, and she walks across the creaking floorboards with deliberate care, testing each step as if searching for an exit strategy that may never come. Julia, driven by desperation and pregnancy, looks to Eden as a leader, only to be met with a harsh lesson in the form of Eden's own branding scar – a gruesome reminder of the consequences that await those who dare to defy their oppressors.

As the sun beats down on the plantation, the slaves are compelled to toil under the watchful eye of their ruthless overseer, Him, who revels in his ability to preserve the status quo for generations to come. Amidst this backdrop of oppression, two young soldiers, Purcell and Daniel (Robert Aramayo), catch Julia's gaze, prompting Daniel to express a sense of longing towards her. With Purcell's encouragement, Daniel takes a chance and approaches Julia, only to have his benevolent facade shattered when he brutally strikes her for daring to speak to him without permission. The full weight of his cruelty is laid bare as he kicks her in the stomach before departing, leaving Julia reeling from the physical and emotional trauma.

The next day, Julia's body bears the scars of Daniel's brutality as she suffers a miscarriage amidst cries of pain and distress. Eden, moved by Julia's plight, rushes to her aid, earning Jasper's ire. The tension is momentarily defused when Eli intervenes, referring to Jasper as a "cracker" - a term that cuts deep into the heart of racial tensions on the plantation. As Jasper redirects his frustration towards Eli, ordering him to clean out the shed, Eli uncovers a haunting reminder of Amara's tragic fate, her burnt remains frozen in time like a macabre memento mori. The weight of this discovery sends Eli crashing to the ground, consumed by grief and despair.

That night, Eden's slumber is disrupted by an otherworldly ringing, which she initially mistakes for a cell phone before realizing it was just a product of her fevered imagination. As she drifts off into unconsciousness once more, she awakens to find herself transported to the present day, assuming the identity of Veronica Henley (London Boyce), a celebrated author and activist married to Nick (Marque Richardson). With their young daughter Kennedi by their side, the Henleys reside in modern-day Atlanta, Georgia. Veronica's tireless advocacy for social justice has earned her both admiration and scorn from pundits, who frequently clash with her on matters of racial equality. As she prepares for an upcoming speaking engagement, Veronica engages in a video conference with Elizabeth, whose condescending remarks about Veronica's work are laced with racist undertones. The tension is palpable as Elizabeth takes a keen interest in Kennedi, leaving Veronica feeling uneasy and exposed.

As Veronica reunites with her confidante Dawn (Gabourey Sidibe) in the sanctuary of her hotel room, she unloads the emotional baggage of her domestic life onto a receptive friend. The cathartic conversation serves as a balm for her frazzled nerves, but just as she's finding solace, an enigmatic visitor arrives at her doorstep, bearing flowers and a cryptic message that leaves Veronica pondering their provenance - though Nick (not explicitly mentioned) seems the most likely culprit.

Later that evening, Veronica runs into Sarah (Lily Cowles), another cherished companion, as they prepare to embark on a night of merriment and camaraderie. Meanwhile, Elizabeth slips into Veronica's room, indulging in a spot of sartorial experimentation with her friend's lipstick. As she prances around the space, inspecting her reflection, Veronica's door tag is discreetly altered, ensuring that housekeeping won't disturb their revelry.

The morning after, Veronica takes center stage at a conference, delivering an impassioned address to a captivated audience of African American women. Her words resonate deeply, leaving a lasting impression on those who listen. As she returns to her room, a chance encounter with the young woman believed to be Elizabeth's daughter takes place in the elevator - though Veronica dismisses the girl's unsettling warning as mere playfulness.

As the night wears on, Veronica joins Dawn and Sarah for dinner at a posh establishment. The evening is filled with laughter, wine, and conviviality, punctuated by Veronica's spirited conversation with Nick, who downplays the mysterious florist as a fan. Dawn, meanwhile, proves to be a demanding diva, commanding the finest table and a selection of premium vintages. Her haughty demeanor earns her a vodka cranberry from an unseen admirer (implied to be Jasper), which she graciously accepts before sharing a personal encounter with him.

As the evening draws to a close, Veronica summons an Uber, only to receive a bewildering phone call from a woman claiming to be her driver. Upon arriving at the vehicle, however, Veronica discovers that Elizabeth is behind the wheel - a revelation that sends her scrambling for a way out. Jasper then materializes from the shadows, ensnaring her in his grasp before rendering her unconscious.

Here is the rephrased section:

As Veronica slowly regains consciousness, she finds herself back on the plantation, where the incessant ringing of a phone continues to echo through her mind. Meanwhile, Senator Blake Denton (voiced) answers the call, his tone laced with concern as he discusses Nick's high-profile search for Veronica alongside Kennedi. He reassures the person on the other end that he will take care of the situation, and Veronica feigns sleep, listening intently to their conversation as Denton promises not to let anyone take her away from him.

The following day brings devastating news: Julia has taken her own life. In a state of despair, Veronica decides that tonight will be the night she finally escapes. She waits until Denton falls asleep before making her move, sneaking outside with stealthy precision. It is there that Eli finds her, and together they hatch a plan to call for help. Their initial attempt is foiled by Purcell and Daniel's drunken escapades, forcing Veronica and Eli to hide and drop the phone. When Daniel picks it up, Eli seizes the opportunity to strike, cracking him in the face and leaving him to choke on his own blood while they retrieve the phone. Undeterred, they make a second attempt at reaching the cabin, only to be met with Denton's brutal attack. A fierce fight ensues, with Eli shielding Veronica from Denton's grasp before ultimately falling victim to a deadly hatchet blow. As Denton closes in on Veronica, she seizes a tea kettle and strikes back, momentarily repelling him long enough to grab his phone. With her newfound freedom, Veronica sends Nick a location pin and manages to call him, finally alerting him to her status as alive. In a poignant moment of tribute, Veronica approaches Eli's lifeless body, addressing him by his real name - Professor Tarasai.

Here's my rewritten version:

As Veronica drags Denton's limp form beneath a tattered Confederate flag, she summons a sense of dark irony by carrying him into the shed. His feeble protests about more like them still lurking in the shadows are met with disdainful laughter from Veronica, who then disappears to fetch a torch to ignite the flames that will consume their trio. Jasper stumbles upon her just as she's preparing to set the shed ablaze, but Veronica swiftly dispels any alarm by revealing Denton's injured state. As the logs crackle to life, trapping Jasper and another guard inside with the helpless Denton, Veronica rides off into the sunrise on horseback, pursued by Elizabeth who's hotly pursuing her own brand of vengeance.

As Veronica gallops through the woods, taunting her pursuer about their shared past - or rather, the absence thereof - she reveals that Denton (her biological father) had personally handpicked her for her betrayal of his values and ideology. Conversely, Elizabeth had selected every other captive herself, driven by a desire to crush all opposition. The chase continues until Veronica outmaneuvers Elizabeth, wrapping a noose around her neck before delivering a brutal beating that leaves Elizabeth's face bloodied and battered. As the sun rises higher in the sky, Veronica rides off with Elizabeth slung over her horse, eventually slamming the captive's head against a statue, silencing her forever.

As the dust settles, Veronica emerges from the woods, where she finds herself amidst the ruins of Antebellum - a sprawling Civil War re-enactment park. With the sun now fully risen, she rides out to survey the devastation, only to be met by the arrival of police and federal agents who've finally tracked down the kidnapped black people. As the authorities work to rescue their captives and raze Antebellum to the ground, Veronica appears relieved, her ordeal finally at an end.