Among the lists of upcoming movies worth watching, thrown amid the endless stream of sequels, prequels, and spin-offs, there are a few rare gems seeking to tell an original story. Just Mercy is one such film.

The plot follows the desperate uphill struggle which lawyer Bryan Stevenson chooses to ascend in defense of Walter McMillian, an African American on death’s row in Alabama. Stevenson is able to closely relate to McMillian’s upbringing and environment. McMillian’s predicament strikes home for Stevenson, and the lawyer is determined to do his best to defend the former’s innocence.

The assembled cast touts some of the biggest names of today’s Hollywood elite. Michael B. Jordan, the versatile actor known for Black Panther and Creed, heads off the cast as Mr. Stevenson. Fellow Marvel star Brie Larson, well-known for her portrayal of the lead in Captain Marvel, plays the lawyer’s eager assistant Eva Ansley.

Jamie Foxx from Ray and The Amazing Spider-Man 2 portrays the downtrodden, hopeless-stricken Walter McMillian. Other notable actors include Tim Blake Nelson, Rhonda Griffis, Rob Morgan, Tonea Stewart, and more.

The trailer alone conveys the amount of heart that has gone into the film. It displays a strong sense of family and perseverance. It is a story of equality, of breaking boundaries, of responding in mercy – all of them powerful themes. More than simply original, the screenplay is based on a real-life case taken on by Bryan Stevenson.

Just Mercy follows in a long procession of social justice films, one of the earliest of which was To Kill a Mockingbird. An example of a more recent movie with this noble objective is Green Book. Just Mercy is set for theatrical release in the US on Dec. 25, 2019.