The Shutdown is a poignant drama that follows the lives of the Johnsons, a black and white family who live in a peaceful suburban neighborhood. The Johnsons are grappling with the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Karen Johnson (played by Angela Bassett), a successful lawyer, is forced to work from home, while her husband, William (played by Denzel Washington), has to deal with the uncertainty of job loss.
The family also faces the racial tensions that plague their community. Their neighbors, who are predominantly white, seem to view them with suspicion, and the Johnsons feel like they have to be on guard all the time. Meanwhile, their teenage son, Jamal (played by Jaden Smith), is trying to navigate his own identity issues as a black boy growing up in a predominantly white school.
As the city is plunged into mandatory shutdown, tensions reach a boiling point. One night, while Karen and William are out, Jamal throws a house party that quickly spirals out of control. In the chaos that ensues, racial tensions come to the fore, and the Johnsons must confront the reality of the world they live in.
Through powerful performances and an unflinching look at the issues of race and identity, The Shutdown is a thought-provoking drama that offers a timely reflection on the state of the world in 2020.