After winning an Oscar for his role inDallas Buyers Club, starring inInterstellar, and also receiving several Emmy nominations for his work inTrue Detective,Matthew McConaugheywas on top of the world in 2014. Two years later he teamed up with another Oscar-winner,Mahershala Ali, for a Civil War thriller that was quietly added to streaming.Free State of Jones, the 2016 Civil War biopic in which McConaughey and Ali star alongsideGugu Mbatha-RawandKeri Russell, began streaming on Netflix today. The film follows Newton Knight, a Confederate army deserter who leads a militia of fellow deserters to revolt against an uprising in Mississippi.Free State of Jonesgrossed only $25 million worldwide on a $50 million budget and currently sits at a 48% score from critics and a 62% rating from general audiences onRotten Tomatoes.
Gary Rosswrote and directedFree State of Jones, withLeonard Hartmanalso receiving credit for the story. Ross made his directorial debut in 1998 when he helmedPleasantville, the 1998 teen comedy starringTobey MaguireandJeff Daniels, and he then followed it up withSeabiscuitin 2003, the horse racing drama which also stars Maguire alongsideJeff BridgesandElizabeth Banks. Ross then directedThe Hunger Games, the first installment in theJennifer Lawrence-led franchise, before helmingFree State of Jonesin 2016 andOcean’s Eightin 2018.Ocean’s Eightis the sequel/remake toBrad PittandGeorge Clooney’sOcean’s films, and it starsCate Blanchett,Anne Hathaway, andSandra Bullock. Ross also wrote the screenplay forBig, the 1988Tom Hankscomedy that was nominated for two Academy Awards.
What Else Was Just Added to Netflix?
Whiplash, the jazz thriller that wonJ.K. Simmonshis first and only Academy Award, recently began streaming on Netflix, along withThe Whale, which nettedBrendan Fraserhis first Oscar as well.The Scorpion King, the divisiveDwayne Johnsonmovie which features some of the worst CGI in modern movie history, also premiered on Netflix at the start of the month. As it celebrates its 10th anniversary,Pompeii, the disaster epic starringGame of Thronesstar Kit Harington, also premiered on Netflix.Tom Cruise’sOblivionalso recently arrived on Netflix.
Free State of Jonesis available to stream now. Stay tuned to Collider for future streaming updates and watchFree State of JonesonNetflix.
The Free State of Jones
Free State of Jones is a 2016 war film starring Matthew McConaughey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mahershala Ali, and Keri Russell. The film is inspired by Newton Knight, who was a real person that led a group of former Confederate soldiers to fight back against the Confederacy. The film is helmed by Oscar-nominated director Gary Ross.
WATCH ON NETFLIX
