What is the true story behind Netflix’s Rob Peace? Explained

The 2024 biographical drama Rob Peace, directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, is based on Jeff Hobbs's 2014 book The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January, had a limited U.S. theatrical release in August, and was released on Netflix on November 11, 2024.

Through the book, Hobbs documented the life of his college roommate and close friend, Robert DeShaun Peace.

Peace was a gifted young man from East Orange, New Jersey, who was tied up in systemic barriers all through his life. The film explores themes of race, education, community, and familial loyalty.

The movie stars Jay Will in his first leading role as Rob Peace. The main cast includes Chiwetel Ejiofor (Rob’s father, Skeet), Mary J. Blige (Rob’s mother, Jackie), and Camila Cabello (Naya, Rob’s girlfriend).

Ejiofor who is also the writer and director, is acclaimed for his directional debut The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. He also has multiple acting credits and accolades, most prominently for his portrayal of Solomon Northup in 12 Years a Slave.

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Who was the real Rob Peace?

Robert DeShaun Peace was a resident of East Orange, New Jersey, born in 1980. A gifted prodigy from a very young age, Rob was the child of a separated couple, Jackie and Skeet. Both the parents were fairly involved in young Rob's life, and Skeet was a major driving factor in Rob's academic interest.

Rob spent a huge part of his life trying to free his father from jail who was convicted of two murders in 1987. His relationship with his father was complex and put emotional strain on Rob which was evident in his life decisions.

Chiwetel Ejiofor as Rob Peace's father (Image via YouTube/Paramount Movies)

Peace excelled academically at St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark and went on to attend Yale University, majoring in molecular biophysics and biochemistry. He moved back to St. Benedict's to teach after graduating from Yale.

According to People, Jackie told a local outlet NJ.com that her son was "beyond his times". She said,

“It actually shows it doesn’t matter where you’re from, what your color or whatever, you can still achieve certain things,"

She added,

"If you have something in mind to do, you should be able to try to do it. And that is what Shaun did try to do."

Rob was involved with selling marijuana all through college, and later again in his 20s. In 2011, at the age of 30, Peace was tragically killed in a drug-related shooting at his house in Newark. His shooter was never caught.

In an interview with NPR in 2014, Hobbs talked about Rob's legacy. He said,

"And the funeral — 400 people — [was] very painful, also beautiful — people from all over the world in downtown Newark. But, outside that church, it seemed like a lot of people were almost eagerly condemning him as this cliche of potential squandered."

He continued,

"We were there; it was sort of a reunion aspect to it with mutual friends. We just knew Rob Peace was not a cliche. We write about what conflicts us, whatever medium. And nothing's ever conflicted me more than this loss."

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More about the life and tragedy of Rob Peace

Jay Will as Rob Peace (Image via YouTube/Paramount Movies)

Rob regularly visited his father in prison and spent much of his adult life trying to exonerate him. He resorted to selling marijuana in college to hire lawyers for the trials.

Skeet maintained his statement that he was wrongfully convicted all through his prison sentence. Rob was briefly successful but the state appealed the decision and won, sending his father back to jail. Skeet died of cancer in prison in 2006.

Peace's story is an example of how systemic barriers, personal choices, and societal expectations can shape an individual’s life, despite their talents and determination.

The producers for Rob Peace are Antoine Fuqua, Rebecca Hobbs, Jeffrey Soros, Simon Horsman, Andrea Calderwood, Kat Samick, Alex Kurtzman, and Jenny Lumet. The movie has a runtime of 119 minutes.

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Rob Peace is streaming on Netflix.