Cynthia Erivo’s iconic Oscar-nominated role before Wicked now streaming for free

Hollywood star Cynthia Erivo is currently stunning musical fanatics on the big screen as Elphaba, but make sure you check out the film that landed the Wicked icon’s first Oscar nomination

Cynthia Erivo’s role in this acclaimed 2019 historical drama earned her not just one but two Academy Award nominations.

Her powerful performance as a celebrated real life figure cemented her position as a household name following a stellar career on Broadway.

She also contributed the original song Stand Up with Joshuah Brian Campbell to the biopic which landed her dual Oscar nods in 2019.

The film in question is now available to stream at no extra cost for Netflix subscribers and it’s not one to miss this December.

If you’ve already been blown away by Erivo in Wicked, check out her very different yet equally impressive showcase as the abolitionist Harriet Tubman in Harriet.

Directed by Kasi Lemmons, who more recently helmed Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody, the drama follows Tubman’s thrilling escape from slavery in the 19th Century and her subsequent rise to become one of America’s greatest heroes.

Also starring are Leslie Odom Jr, Joe Alwyn, and fellow singer Janelle Monáe.

A synopsis adds: “Her courage, ingenuity and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.”

The Guardian’s Simran Hans called the film “long overdue” and adds it “(focuses) on liberation and solidarity, rather than amplifying pain, trauma and humiliation.

“So often, historical films are stale and mired in misery, but Harriet has a rare buoyancy.”

And Peter Bradshaw said Erivo is “sublime” and “terrific” as Tubman, continuing: “Erivo embodies Harriet’s courage, resourcefulness, physical toughness, talent (and relish) for disguise and untutored genius for guerrilla warfare.”

Although some felt Harriet slips into formulaic biopic fare, everyone who watches the film agrees Erivo gives a star-making lead performance.

Critic Mark Kermode said: “It has a central performance that carries the drama shoulder-high” and adds “it’s gripping.”

A reviewer on Letterboxd said: “Harriet Tubman is stronger and smarter than most of us will ever be and it’s literally sick that this film, Cynthia’s performance (and her voice…wow, her voice) and most importantly, Harriet Tubman herself are so underrated and under-appreciated. When I saw this in theaters, I was in awe.”

And another wrote: “Cynthia Erivo delivers the best performance of her career in a powerful biopic of an inspirational woman who escapes from slavery and makes it her mission to rescue other slaves trapped in this terrible situation.”

If you’ve already seen Erivo defying gravity on the big screen, make sure you check out her incredible performance in this moving historical drama soon.

Harriet is available to stream on Netflix.