“Till” is a powerful, moving film about the life of Emmett and Mamie Till. It follows Mamie Till-Mobley’s activism after her son’s brutal death at the hands of J.W. Milam and Roy Bryant. 

Danielle Deadwyler plays the lead role of Till’s mother, Mamie, and she delivers an oscar-worthy performance. I’m calling it right now; Deadwyler will win an Oscar for this performance. 

Deadwyler’s presence is felt in every single shot, even the shots where she is not pictured. Her performance is incredibly moving, and she will make many viewers cry.

Although she grieves for a large part of the movie, she never fails to exude strength, dignity and grace. There was one part of the movie where her performance especially stood out to me — the trial. 

During the trial of Emmett’s murderers, Mamie testifies. Deadwyler delivers this testimony in a single shot that will leave most viewers in tears, in awe or both.

This testimony is arguably the most emotionally powerful moment in the film. I was so mesmerized by Deadwyler’s performance there that I forgot it was even a performance or that I was even in a theater.

Jalyn Hall plays Emmett Till, the 14-year-old boy who was brutally murdered in Mississippi in 1955. Hall compliments Deadwyler perfectly, and the two feel like they could actually be mother and son. 

Whoopi Goldberg plays Emmett’s grandmother Alma Carthan. Although Goldberg doesn’t get much screen time, she fills her role with charisma and energy that only she can offer. 

The movie chooses, like Mamie did, to show the swollen, tortured body of Emmett Till. I believe this reveal is gut-wrenching and is given more power by the movie’s choice not to depict the torture or death of Till, only the abduction.

By choosing not to extensively depict his torture or death, the movie leaves it to the viewer’s imagination. I believe this decision provokes more emotion than detailing his suffering would. This also keeps the rating at PG-13; the rating is important because this movie offers a valuable history lesson and sparks further conversation about race in America.

Even though Deadwyler’s performance alone is enough to stir emotion, the music composed by Abel Korzeniowski adds to the emotional weight of the film.

Chinonye Chukwu wrote and directed Till, and her goal is very clear. Chukwu centers the movie around Mamie — its heartbeat — and draws attention to her as a Black woman who holds a rightful, important place in America’s ongoing representation of the civil rights struggle.

This is a heavy, important movie that is a must-see.

“Till” is out now in all theaters.