"Natchez" REVIEW

Published on 3/22/2026 

Written by: Braylon Mitchell 

Directed by: Suzannah Herbert 

Cast: ... 

Plot: A sharp look at the American South's unreconciled history through Natchez, a Mississippi town that mixes antebellum tourism with a community deeply divided over its past.

REVIEW 

This film speaks to America, and on a personal level spoke to me. As a White American Southerner, as I grow older I've found myself continuing to grapple with my identity as a Southerner- particularly when it comes to feeling pride for the history of my family and the overall culture of the American South, a culture that was built on the hate and violence of the past with slavery and segregation. I personally know people in life who chose to seperate themselves the best they can from the identity of being Southern because of the negativity that surrounded and still surrounds it, I know people that actively pick and choose what they want to know and don't want to know about Southern history, and I know people who couldn't care less about their cultural identity. I'm proud of my culture and all the good that it stands for, but it was built on terror and blood and prejudices that unfortunately still remain out there- can one do that, be proud of something that was built on something so horrible? This film felt like an answer to that question, a conversation starter, and a starch reminder of the utter magnitude that history holds and the importance of unfiltered education when it comes to the American history that our country needs to never forget. Strongly character driven following fifteen or so people who live and work in the historic city of Natchez, Mississippi famous for its Antebellum South tourism; this documentary brillantly interweaves between its (often cinematic-feeling) characters, showcasing the many different perspectives on the past and modern preservation- the perspectives that make for a modern very complicated collective, especially as these differing perspectives and understandings are shared/taught to the many tourists of the town. As easy as it could've been to stay on one tone capturing these people and what they stand for, the film constanly expands and shifts its depictions- much as truth does as well, it expands based on how we shape things the more we learn about them. There are so may contractions and layers to the American South, and this film isn't afraid to fully dive into them- asking questions and showing results, all done so in a way that feels incredibly cinematic in its craft and direction. Granted, there are still many many pre-2020 documentaries I've yet to see- but from what I have seen, I would confidently say this is one of the best documentaries I've ever watched. I already expect to include "Natchez" on my top ten favorite films of 2026 list by the end of the year. 

THREE BEST ELEMENTS

• The script. When you think documentary filmmaking, you don't usually think of the screenplay. I'm certianly guilty of this myself. With this film, you can tell how strong the script is- and in this film's case, that's a great thing. The formed structure and the narratives being told are excellent, a major reason of that being how character focused the film is. 

• Suzannah Hebert's direction. Especially in how our own perspectives on certain characters and matters are guided to expand as the film goes on, I was wowed by her direction. I'm kicking myself that I missed out on the chance to see her in person at a Q&A for the film at The Belcourt Theatre, I would've loved to have heard what she had to say about the process of making this film. 

• The cinematography. This film is very well shot, beautiful imagery and a keen sense of direction in how every moment of the film is generally captured. 

WORST ELEMENT 

• Nothing notable. 

RATING

9/10

This is must watch documentary, buddy!