By Matt Mueller Culture Editor Published Jun 03, 2020 at 4:56 PM

Movie and TV news feels incredibly inessential and unimportant while people across the globe are peacefully protesting injustice, fighting broken policing and government systems, and often being met with violence and escalation – but here's some good news from the entertainment world about a good film that might foster some good too.

Warner Bros. announced this week that the recent legal drama "Just Mercy," starring Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx, will be available to rent for free throughout the month of June. 

Based on a true story, the film follows real-life civil rights defense attorney Bryan Stevenson (Jordan) early on in his legal career as he takes on the case of Walter "Johnny D" McMillian (Foxx), an Alabama man convicted of murder and sent to death row despite dubious evidence. Throughout the case, Stevenson builds the development, growth and reputation of his acclaimed non-profit Equal Justice Initiative, which represents those who may not have received a fair trial or were wrongly convicted.

"We believe in the power of story," says a Warner Bros. statement. "Our film, 'Just Mercy,' based on the life work of civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson, is one resource we can humbly offer to those who are interested in learning more about the systemic racism that plagues our society. 

"To actively be a part of the change our country is so desperately seeking, we encourage you to learn more about our past and the countless injustices that have led us to where we are today. Thank you to the artists, storytellers and advocates who helped make this film happen. Watch with your family, friends and allies. For further information on Bryan Stevenson and his work at the Equal Justice Initiative, visit eji.org."

If it sounds preachy, "Just Mercy" isn't. Instead, it tells its story of hard-won justice with no frills, but plenty of empathy, nuance and emotion, showing how systems push black people down – from the poor living on the edges to Harvard-educated lawyers – and how people together can push back and make a change. It's a very good film, very much worth your time – because the bare minimum we can do right now is listen and educate ourselves.

You can find "Just Mercy" free to rent on AppleTV, Fandango Now, Google Play, Prime Video, Vudu and YouTube, with Spectrum and DirecTV in the works.

And after watching "Just Mercy," please continue to watch other movies about systemic racism and the black experience in America – especially those directed and created by black artists. You can find some excellent examples listed below, as well as where you can find them:

  • "BlacKkKlansman": Available to stream on HBO Max, HBO GO, HBO NOW, DirecTV and Amazon with HBO
  • "The Hate U Give": Available to stream on Cinemax Go, Amazon with Cinemax and DirecTV
  • "Do the Right Thing": Available to rent on Amazon, YouTube, Google Play, iTunes and Vudu
  • "If Beale Street Could Talk": Available to stream on Hulu
  • "Selma": Available to stream on FX Now
  • "13th": Available to stream on Netflix
  • "I Am Not Your Negro": Available to stream on Prime Video, Hoopla and Kanopy
  • "Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992": Available to stream on Netflix
Matt Mueller Culture Editor

As much as it is a gigantic cliché to say that one has always had a passion for film, Matt Mueller has always had a passion for film. Whether it was bringing in the latest movie reviews for his first grade show-and-tell or writing film reviews for the St. Norbert College Times as a high school student, Matt is way too obsessed with movies for his own good.

When he's not writing about the latest blockbuster or talking much too glowingly about "Piranha 3D," Matt can probably be found watching literally any sport (minus cricket) or working at - get this - a local movie theater. Or watching a movie. Yeah, he's probably watching a movie.