If you like a good top of the edge thriller movie, then BET Plus’ latest movie, The Accused, is a must-see that you need to watch. The movie, which made its debut on Thursday, April 10th, features a star-studded cast, with Paige Aubrey-Marie Hurd, best known for her roles in Starz’ Power and Everybody Hates Chris, and soap opera actor Lawrence Saint-Victor from Bold and the Beautiful as the main characters. Other talented cast members include Rockford Dunbar, Crystal Lee Brown, Summer Crockett Moore, Nicole G. Leier, Manny Perez, Pierre Romain, and much more.
The movie, written by thriller screenwriter Pat Smith, is about Hurd, who portrays the role of Dani West, a plant geneticist who was framed for murdering her fiancée. Saint-Victor, who plays Detective Lance Branson, is on the case to investigate the murder as all evidence points to West, in which she doesn’t have any control over.
L-R: Lawrence Saint-Victor as Detective Lance Branson and Paige Aubrey-Marie Hurd as Dani West, the plant geneticist; Courtesy of BET Plus
Throughout the film, Dani must go through enormous lengths to prove her innocence using her intelligence before time runs out. Detective Branson, who’s also devoted in his profession and in his personal life as a husband and soon-to-be-father, goes through this journey with the main character through an interesting discovery in pursuit of the truth.
WRITING AT A FAST PACE
Smith, who is known for writing thriller-based books and films, collaborated with a talented team of writers, Tony Glazer and Clarence Williams IV, to bring this exciting thriller to life.
“It’s a very fast-paced film, and it has a great story of a strong heroine. That was really my goal—a kick-ass heroine” The pace was really fast, and the acting was phenomenal. They [the cast] really nailed it. I’m so glad it went to BET Plus,” she shared.
Smith’s goal was to navigate the characters in one way, as they morph together while seeing their worlds change throughout the film in this high-profile murder case.
Fellow writer Glazer, who is also the film’s producer, shared that the content of the film is really about fighting for your own agency, identity, and autonomy, for your voice, and against the sources of information that are presented.
TRUTH IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
The film’s cast shares their views on fighting for truth, as the film is about the fight for justice. Rockford Dunbar resonated with the script, sharing that if he could describe his character in one word, it would be justice. Dunbar portrays the influential scientist and community leader, Marcus Wainwright, in the film.
The 911 and Soul Food actor felt that the script was God’s message for him to lead this project as he continues to fight for justice, truth, and faith. He asserted his religious freedom and autonomy over his body, highlighting the numerous parallels in the script.
He also shared that the character has some similarities from his personal experience in the entertainment industry.
“I resonated with this character because of my trials and errors in fighting for my own autonomy as being blackballed from Hollywood because of my decision to listen to God. As I look through this whole script, it resonates with my entire life,” he added.
The film sends out a clear message: everybody is fighting for something, being driven by some form of emotion, and for their voices to be heard, whether that’s good or bad, through their own interpretation. Lee Brown, Crockett Moore, and Saint-Victor shared an interesting take with the Exclusive Press (EP) when asked if emotional intelligence is more powerful than logic and truth when it comes to accusations.
Paige Aubrey-Marie Hurd and Lawrence Saint-Victor in action in BET exciting thriller; Courtesy of BET Plus
Summer Crocket Moore (Detective Nadine Styles and Film’s Producer): She shared that her character was purely driven by emotions.
“If your point of view is not clear, you can be easily distracted by feelings. So, the emotional truth for her is that she needed to win at all costs.”
Crystal Lee Brown (Victoria Goode—Laboratory Manager): “Nothing tops the truth. The truth is the truth. However, as an actor, the emotional truth is gold, and it always has to be truthful. In life we allow our emotions to sometimes get ahead of us,” she stated.
As actors, Lee Brown believes that emotional truth must win every time, even if it leads to incorrect decisions.
“It has to be filled with the truth; you can’t push and force emotions as an artist—whether it’s good or bad, indifferent, right, or wrong,” the All American actress shared.
She shared that emotional truth is a powerful storytelling tool that lets both the artist and the audience experience the character’s journey.
“We all walked away from watching a movie or show where we disliked or rooted for the character. The emotional truth has to hinder or help. As an audience, you want to be there—to say, ‘I don’t like her’ or ‘I’m glad that happened to her,’ but the emotional truth got you to that point to either root or turn away,” the Philly native added.
Lawrence Saint-Victor (Detective Lance Branson): “[In life], I think the truth is the truth. I do think the emotional truth, depending on who you are as a person, can lead you to the actual truth,” he stated.
“Emotional truth can be different in the hands of the beholder. I think it depends on who’s holding that truth. I think that goes for life.”
He added, “If emotional truth leads you to the truth, then you’re probably in a good place as a person, but if it leads you somewhere else, then you’re living in a state of delusion.”
ON SET FILM EXPERIENCE
Leier and Lee Brown shared the fun part of the film. The Emmy-nominated actress comically told the Exclusive that she learned that she still got her fight moves, as she had to do a fight scene in the film.
“I was able to brush off some moves from back in the 90s and use them in the film with the help of the fight choreographer. The fighting scenes were fun. I knew I had it, but when you do it, I got to work these muscles out some more,” the Hidden Figures and Nobody’s Fool actress shared.
L-R: Crystal Lee Brown, portraying her role in the film as Victoria Goode, the Laboratory Manager; Dani West moving janitorial supplies cart; and Nicole G. Leier who portrays Dani West’s friend, Felicia talking to Detective Branson and Detective Bobby Rios, played by Manny Perez; Courtesy of BET Plus
Meantime, Leier, who portrays Dani’s friend, Felicia, in the film, shared that being on the set was a fun experience.
“I had the best time ever. Tony is such an amazing director. All of the cast was really great. You’re shooting an action film, so you’re doing [many] fast-paced moves.” It was a really incredible experience,” said the award-winning actress, writer, producer, and film director.
Shay Saint-Victor, who portrays Lawrence’s wife on set and off set in the movie, shared that it’s really good to get movies out in the open for the audience to watch while touching on Black female genocides, stating that stories like this need to be told.
Make sure to watch the film, currently available for streaming on BET+, to witness the great measures Dani undergoes, the challenges she faces, and the unparalleled experiences she encounters throughout her journey to fight for her rights. truth and justice.