The film focuses on a Mississippi bluesman who holds a troubled local woman captive in his house in an attempt to cure her of nymphomania after finding her severely beaten on the side of a road.

The film concerns two main characters: Lazarus Redd, a deeply religious farmer and former blues guitarist, and Rae Doole, a young sex addict.

Rae's boyfriend Ronnie Morgan leaves for deployment with the 196th Field Artillery Brigade, Tennessee National Guard, and in his absence, she indulges in bouts of promiscuity and drug use.

Believing she's dead, Gill pushes the unconscious Rae out of his truck at the side of the road wearing only a crop top and panties, and drives away.

Rae makes several attempts to escape, and even has sex with a teenager who helps out on Lazarus' farm, when he paid a visit.

Lazarus buys her a light sundress to wear, improving her modesty, plays the guitar for her, and feeds her home-cooked meals.

That night during a thunderstorm, at Rae's request, Lazarus sings a song for her, "Black Snake Moan" by Blind Lemon Jefferson.

'"[8] Christina Ricci said the rough sex scenes were painful, partly because one of her fellow cast members, rap producer David Banner, had no previous acting experience.

The website's critical consensus reads, "Uninhibited performances, skillful direction, and a killer blues soundtrack elevate Black Snake Moan beyond its outlandish premise.

[2][14] In April 2008, Ricci commented on the promotional poster for the film, criticizing it as exploitative of women: The way that movie was marketed was probably one of the most disappointing and upsetting things that's ever happened to me in my career.

[16] Black Snake Moan was released January 30, 2007 by New West Records featuring various artists including four tracks performed by Jackson himself.

Glenn Gaslin at Moving Pictures Magazine briefly reviewed and praised the album: "It should make anyone who loves the blues, er, happy.

"James B. Eldred at Bullz-Eye.com concluded his favorable review with,[20] Blues fans, indie rockers, and those who worship at the Church of Jackson should pick up this soundtrack.