Letitia Wright takes the reins in Surrounded, a fresh spin on the Western drama genre directed by Anthony Mandler. The film showcases her versatility beyond the Wakanda actress we’ve come to admire. Surrounded, which also stars notable talents like Jamie Bell and the late Michael Kenneth Williams, is set against the backdrop of the Wild West.
Released digitally on June 20th, 2023, Surrounded marks Wright’s ambitious journey into the world of black cowboys. In this gripping tale of survival and justice, Wright firmly establishes herself as a compelling actor and producer. Right from the start, Surrounded promises to explore how diversity can redefine stories about the American frontier, and it sure does deliver on this front.
Reinterpreting the Wild West
In Surrounded, Letitia Wright breathes life into Mo Washington, a character with a complexity equal to that of the environment she faces. Mo, a former enslaved person and freedwoman, embarks on a perilous journey to the West. Her aim is to claim a gold mine in post-Civil War America. This narrative cleverly intertwines historical elements with a fresh perspective. It showcases Mo’s resilience against a harsh Western landscape.
Setting the story in New Mexico—specifically at Ghost Ranch—increases the film’s realism in the Western genre and draws the audience deeper into Mo’s universe. Mo Washington is not your typical Western protagonist. As a former Buffalo Soldier turned gold mine claimer, her story is about survival, empathy, and unyielding determination. Guarding the notorious Tommy Walsh, Mo’s journey is fraught with danger. Yet, her kindness and resolve shine through, challenging traditional Western archetypes.
Surrounded reinterprets the Wild West by focusing on diversity and the untold stories of black cowboys and freedwomen. This new perspective celebrates film and American history. It opens the door to a more diverse narrative within the genre, which better reflects the West as it really is.
Letitia Wright’s Role as Mo Washington
Wright gives Mo more depth and realism by having her express her feelings mainly through her body language and facial expressions rather than her words. This decision enhances the story and showcases Wright’s acting chops, drawing the audience closer to Mo and her trials. Inspired by the real-life Buffalo Soldier Cathay Williams, Mo Washington showcases Wright’s dedication to bringing historical figures to life. Wright’s performance pays homage to Williams’ bravery, mirroring her survival instincts and determination.
The interaction between Mo Washington and Tommy Walsh, played by Jamie Bell, adds complexity to the storyline. This dynamic subverts traditional Western storytelling conventions. Surrounded introduces a power dynamic that challenges the genre’s typical portrayals of race and gender. Mo finds herself in an unexpected position of power when she has to guard the captured outlaw Tommy Walsh after her stagecoach is ambushed.
This setup inverts the traditional Western archetype where white men typically hold dominance. Instead, the film places a black woman in control. This inversion is not merely for shock value. It creates a fertile ground for exploring deeper power, identity, and trauma themes. The relationship between Mo and Tommy marks a complex interplay of authority and vulnerability. Initially, Mo’s act of holding Tommy hostage serves as a dramatic reversal of the typical power structures of the West.
Painting a More Authentic Picture
Forced together, this situation pushes both characters to confront their preconceptions about each other and themselves. While initially perceived as the antagonist, Tommy Walsh’s character reveals layers of humanity and victimhood, mainly through his interactions with Mo. His backstory and motivations shine through, showing a man shaped by his traumas and experiences. This complexity adds depth to his character, making him more than just a one-dimensional villain. The film uses the duo’s relationship to challenge the audience’s perceptions of right and wrong, good and evil.
Through Surrounded, Letitia Wright and the ensemble cast invite audiences into a redefined Wild West narrative that honors multiculturalism and presents real heroes in a more genuine light. Wright’s portrayal of Mo Washington shatters the conventional cowboy archetype and highlights the importance of representation and storytelling in reshaping our understanding of history. As audiences and creators push for more inclusive stories, Surrounded marks a significant step forward in cinema’s evolving canvas.
