Hands Up tells the story of 17-year-old Malik Brown, a high school student living in a tough neighbourhood on the south side of Chicago. One day, Malik's cousin Tyrell is shot and killed by a white police officer, and his death sparks a wave of Black Lives Matter protests across the city.
Determined to make something of his life and escape the cycle of violence and poverty that surrounds him, Malik begins to explore different options. He considers going to college, getting a job and moving away, or even joining the military.
However, at every turn, Malik is confronted with obstacles and challenges that seem insurmountable. His school is underfunded and understaffed, his father is in jail, and his mother is struggling to make ends meet. Meanwhile, the police continue to mistreat and harass Black people in his community, and Malik is forced to confront his own fears and anger.
As the protests intensify and the tension between the police and the community reaches a boiling point, Malik must decide whether to continue fighting for change or to give up and succumb to the violence that surrounds him. With powerful performances, gritty realism, and a message of hope amid adversity, Hands Up is a gripping and emotional drama that captures the struggles of Black youth in America today.