American Refugee

American Refugee is a 2021 American horror thriller film directed by Ali LeRoi and written by Allison Buckmelter and Nicolas Buckmelter. It stars Erika Alexander, Derek Luke and Sam Trammell. Jason Blum served as an executive producer through his Blumhouse Television banner.

The film was released digitally on December 10, 2021 by Paramount Home Entertainment and Epix.

The Taylors an African American family comprising Helen, an MD, Greg, an academic, recently born Mia, teen daughter Zoe and pre-teen adopted son Kai, have just moved to a spacious home in a rural area, miles from any city.

Their situation is soon up-ended. The economy collapses, there are food shortages, schools close, and there is looting and general chaos. The country comes under martial law.

While shopping at the empty-shelved local market, Helen helps a scared young pregnant woman to pick some medical supplies. Later, an armed boy shows up asking for Helen. The boy, Matty, his father Winter and the market woman Amber live next door. There are problems with their baby and they need Helen's help.

Matty takes Helen and Greg to an underground fortified bunker. There, cranky Winter testily lets Helen examine Amber.

After their home is looted, the Taylors who have made no provision seek shelter with Winter in his bunker who has, even though they can see that Winter remains critical.

In this confined environment, arguing between Winter and the Taylors soon starts. Prepared Winter wonders how Greg could ever protect his own. The kids are caught in the middle.

Eventually, Amber's baby is born, but there is no baby food in the bunker. Amber struggles to breastfeed, so that is asked of Helen, making it clear that she is becoming Amber's replacement.

Winter finds a gun that Greg had cocealed from everyone after attacking and killing an armed intruder. Greg is confronted by Winter, leading to an argument and loss of trust. Winter ultimately banishes Greg from the bunker for not contributing.

The next day, Greg and Kai return and attempt to suffocate everyone in the bunker by blocking and smoking the bunker ventilation. Winter then exits the bunker and leaves his family and the Taylors inside as the bunker fills with smoke.

In April 2021, it was announced that Ali LeRoi would direct the television horror film American Refugee, written by Allison and Nicolas Buckmelter. The film is part of a partnership between cable network Epix and Blumhouse Television, which will produce eight films for the network. Blumhouse founder Jason Blum serves as an executive producer.^[1] In May 2021, Erika Alexander, Derek Luke, Sam Trammell, Peyton Jackson, Zamani Wilder, Jessi Case and Vince Mattis joined the cast of the film.^[2]

Principal photography began in April 2021,^[3] in New Orleans.^[2]

The film was released on December 10, 2021 by Epix.^[4]

• American Refugee at IMDb