Finding Kendrick Johnson
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Finding Kendrick Johnson
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Finding Kendrick Johnson is a documentary about the conspiracy surrounding the violent 2013 death of Georgia teen Kendrick Johnson. The film has many uncensored, deeply upsetting images of corpses, including Johnson's, as well as other scenes of Black pain and death -- including lynching images, a lynching victim's memorial plaque riddled with bullets, the murder of an unborn baby, and more. Hate crimes are highlighted, as is the disturbing evidence found at the scene of Johnson's death (blood, vomit, etc.). It can be difficult to watch, but the film demonstrates that fighting for justice takes perseverance, teamwork, and courage and that understanding and fighting for racial and criminal justice demands having compassion and empathy for others.
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What's the Story?
Narrated by Jenifer Lewis, FINDING KENDRICK JOHNSON tells the story of Georgia teen Kendrick Johnson, whose mysterious death was ruled an accident despite an outside autopsy finding evidence of blunt-force trauma. The film gives viewers a look at the bloody crime scene -- evidence that was disregarded by local authorities -- and signs pointing to a cover-up that reached all the way to the FBI. The movie also presents brand-new evidence that points to White teens who were initially suspected by a Black FBI investigator.
Is It Any Good?
This documentary will leave you filled with righteous anger for the Johnson family and all Black families who've dealt with racist violence. Directed by Jason Pollock, Finding Kendrick Johnson is a hard but necessary watch for anyone who's hoping to learn more about the United States' history of racist violence. Narrated poignantly by Lewis, the film clearly presents the evidence related to Johnson's unsolved death -- with much of it revealing a racist conspiracy meant on keeping White suspects safe because their father is an FBI agent. The cover-up also reflects the United States' history of disregarding Black lives, a history that only started being dismantled at an accelerated rate after the 2020 deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and others.
The film unflinchingly discusses Johnson's death, including showing images of his corpse as it was found and throughout his two autopsies. And it takes the same unflinching approach to covering the United States' racist past (and present), including showing uncensored images of lynched Black bodies, Emmett Till's open casket, and more. The film might leave viewers disturbed, but it's for a reason: Pollock wants viewers to feel the same weight of pain and pressure that the Johnsons and other Black families feel daily. While the film has a lot for viewers to process, it successfully shows that Black people have had to process this level of inhumanity for centuries. It asks viewers to bear witness to that pain during its nearly two-hour run time. And ultimately it's asking viewers to do much more after processing these horrible truths: It asks them to join the call for justice for the Johnsons and for all Black people suffering under the weight of racial injustice and violence.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the racial implications of Kendrick Johnson's case. According to Finding Kendrick Johnson, how has racism played a part in the Johnson family's not getting the justice they deserve? How have the local, state, and national governments diverted justice from the family?
How do the (in)actions of the Valdosta government reflect the history of the U.S. government failing Black families?
The film showcases the racial reckoning that started in 2020. How do you think the United States has changed from 2013, when Kendrick Johnson was killed? How has the country stayed the same?
Can you think of other movies that tackle similar subject matter? How does the impact of a documentary like this compare to a drama about the same topic?
Movie Details
- In theaters: July 30, 2021
- On DVD or streaming: July 30, 2021
- Cast: Jenifer Lewis
- Director: Jason Pollock
- Studio: Gravitas Ventures
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Activism
- Character Strengths: Compassion, Courage, Empathy, Perseverance, Teamwork
- Run time: 102 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: July 1, 2022
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