"A Thousand and One" follows the emotional story of ex-convict Inez De La Paz (Teyana Taylor), who "kidnaps 6-year-old Terry (Aaron Kingsley Adetola) out of the foster care system, convinced that it is one last, necessary crime on her path to redemption," per the logline for the Focus Features film. "Holding onto their secret and each other, mother and son set out to reclaim their home, their identity, and stability in a rapidly changing New York City."