Throughout her career, Kathryn Bigelow has explored the traditionally masculine subjects of war and violence. “The Hurt Locker” suggested that life-or-death situations can be a high. “Zero Dark Thirty” explored how a years-long war could eventually lead to “justice,” but also take a person’s humanity. And it seems Bigelow’s newest film, “Detroit,” will demonstrate how quickly and pointlessly racial violence can escalate.

Set during the riots in the summer of 1967, “Detroit” centers on a cop played by John Boyega (“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”). At first, it appears that he and a bunch of soldiers are just trying to pass the time. They’re far from the unrest, bored and a little hungry.

Elsewhere, a group of black men are at the Algiers Motel — also far from the riots. They are goofing around and drinking. “When you’re black, it’s almost like having a gun pointed at your face,” one man says, pulling out a gun himself. “It’s like this: ‘Hey, boy! What you doing on my street?’” Then he shoots the gun, which turns out to only be a starter pistol. The soldiers hear the gunshot and panic. Suddenly the relatively peaceful evening turns into its own war zone.

“I need you to survive the night,” Boyega’s character tells one of the men at the Algiers.

Written by frequent Bigelow collaborator Mark Boal, “Detroit” features an ensemble cast including Anthony Mackie (“The Hurt Locker”) and John Krasinski (“The Office”).

“I have always firmly believed that every director should be judged solely by their work, and not by their work based on their gender,” Bigelow has said. “Hollywood is supposedly a community of forward thinking and progressive people, yet this horrific situation for women directors persists. Gender discrimination stigmatizes our entire industry. Change is essential. Gender neutral hiring is essential.”

Bigelow is the only woman to receive the Academy Award for Best Director. She won in 2010 for “The Hurt Locker.”

“Detroit” hits theaters August 4. Check out the trailer and official poster below.