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Entertainment • Film

Django Unchained

Django Unchained is a 2012 American western drama film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Django Unchained is a 2012 American western drama film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It stars Jamie Foxx as Django, a freed slave who partners with a German bounty hunter to rescue his wife from a Mississippi plantation owner. The film was released in 2012 and runs approximately 165 minutes.

Plot

The film follows Django after he is freed by Dr. King Schultz, a bounty hunter who needs Django’s help identifying wanted criminals. The pair later travel to rescue Django’s wife, Broomhilda, from Calvin Candie’s plantation.

Production

Django Unchained was written and directed by Quentin Tarantino and produced by Stacey Sher, Reginald Hudlin, and Pilar Savone. It was released by The Weinstein Company and produced by A Band Apart.

Cast and characters

Jamie Foxx plays Django, Christoph Waltz plays Dr. King Schultz, Leonardo DiCaprio plays Calvin Candie, Kerry Washington plays Broomhilda, and Samuel L. Jackson plays Stephen.

Reception and release

The film was released in 2012 and is rated R for strong language, graphic violence, and related content. It had a wide theatrical release in the United States on 25 December 2012.

Key facts

  • Set in the United States two years before the Civil War.
  • Centers on Django, a formerly enslaved man seeking to reunite with his wife.
  • Features Dr. King Schultz, a German bounty hunter who becomes Django’s partner.
  • The story follows their conflict with plantation owner Calvin Candie.
  • The film was released in 2012 and runs about 2 hours and 45 minutes.
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Canadian context

Canadian viewers know Django Unchained as a widely released Hollywood film that was screened and distributed internationally, including in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is Django Unchained about?
It follows Django, a freed slave, who teams up with a German bounty hunter to rescue his wife from a plantation owner in Mississippi.
Who directed Django Unchained?
Quentin Tarantino directed and wrote the film.
When was Django Unchained released?
It was released in 2012, with a U.S. wide release on 25 December 2012.
What genre is Django Unchained?
It is generally described as a western drama film, with action elements.
Who stars in Django Unchained?
The principal cast includes Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, and Samuel L. Jackson.

References

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1853728/
    Supports: Release year, runtime, rating, and plot synopsis
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/django_unchained_2012
    Supports: Director, genre, rating, release date, runtime, and synopsis
  3. Movie Insider — https://www.movieinsider.com/m8982/django-unchained
    Supports: Release date, runtime, plot summary, cast, and production details
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Django_Unchained
    Supports: Basic film identification and plot context