Failure! is a 2023 Mexican-American crime comedy film written and directed by Alex Kahuam. The film stars Ted Raimi, Merrick McCartha, Noel Douglas Orput, Melissa Diaz and Christin Muuli.
| Failure! | |
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 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Alex Kahuam |
| Written by | Alex Kahuam |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Ernesto Lomeli |
| Edited by | Alex Kahuam |
| Music by | Vincent Gillioz |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Red Water Entertainment |
Release date |
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Running time | 87 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Language | English |
Plot
editWithin one hour, a businessman must choose between his finances or murder to keep his family safe.
Cast
edit- Ted Raimi as James
- Merrick McCartha as Mr. Serge
- Noel Douglas Orput as Unknown Man
- Melissa Diaz as Maria
- Christin Muuli as Jessica
- Daniel Kuhlman as Alvar
- LeVar Michael as Robert
- Spencer Langston as JP. Jr.
- John Paul Medrano as Michael
- Ernest Cavazos as Slavko
- Joe Barra as Nicolas
- Chris Paul Morales as Juan
- Alex Sands as Charles
- Hyeong Choi as Takuma
Production
editThe film was shot in a single, 87 minute take.[1] Raimi said that principal photography took three days from rehearsal to final take.[2] It is the first of its kind by a Mexican director who shot the film in the United States.[3]
Release
editThe film was picked up for distribution by Alief[4] at Marché du Film[2] and premiered at FrightFest on August 28, 2023.[5] In May 2024, Red Water Entertainment acquired the North American distribution rights, with a 2025 release date.[6]
Reception
editFailure! received mostly positive reviews from critics. It has a 75% approval rating on film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes with an average score of 7.7/10 based on eight reviews.[7]
Martin Unsworth at Starburst Magazine scored the film 5 out of 5.[8] Paul Chapinal at Film News gave it 4 out of 5 stars.[9] Film critic Kim Newman said the film is more satisfying that Kahuam's Forgiveness.[10] Anton Bitel at Projected Figures said it is "an understated, if unpredictable chamber drama" that "is concerned with broader themes of American capital and criminality."[11]
References
edit- ^ Meza, Ed (2023-05-23). "Alex Kahuam's Ted Raimi Thriller 'Failure!' Goes With Alief (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety (Press release). Retrieved 2023-07-31.
- ^ a b Navarro, Meagan (2023-05-19). "'Failure!' – Ted Raimi Previews Ambitious, Violent, Single-Take Thriller Ahead of Cannes Debut [Exclusive]". Bloody Disgusting (Interview). Retrieved 2023-07-31.
- ^ Mack, Andrew (2022-06-28). "FAILURE! Alex Kahuam Directs Genre Icon Ted Raimi in Single Take Thriller". Screen Anarchy. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
- ^ Hamman, Cody (2023-07-19). "Failure! teaser trailer: Ted Raimi thriller to premiere at FrightFest". JoBlo (Press release). Retrieved 2023-07-31.
- ^ Squires, John (2023-07-18). "'Failure!' Trailer – Ted Raimi Stars in Single Take Thriller Headed to FrightFest 2023". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
- ^ Ramachandran, Naman (May 16, 2024). "Ted Raimi Thriller 'Failure!' Snapped Up for North American Distribution at Cannes Market by Red Water Entertainment (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
- ^ "Failure!". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ Unsworth, Martin (2023-08-28). "FAILURE! [FrightFest 2023]". Starburst. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
- ^ Chapinal, Paul (2023-08-28). "Failure!". Film News. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
- ^ Newman, Kim (2023-08-28). "FrightFest review – Failure!". The Kim Newman Web Site. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
- ^ Bitel, Anton (2023-08-28). "Failure! (2023)". Projected Figures. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
External links
edit- Failure! at IMDb
- Failure! at Letterboxd
- Failure! at Rotten Tomatoes