[Editor’s Note: this list was originally published in July 2017. It has been updated multiple times with new entries.]
Both on the awards circuit and in the public consciousness, HBO is widely regarded as among the first Hollywood heavyweights to recognize that television, as a medium, had the power to deliver sprawling, large scale stories on a smaller screen. From HBO’s ascent in the late 1990s through its dragon-aided roar across the 2010s, the network’s original series tackled universal stories, stretching across continents and decades.
The network hasn’t been without controversy, though. HBO faced questions about its lack of diversity in flagship series, including “Game of Thrones” and “Girls,” throughout the 2010s. And, unshackled from the restrictions of broadcast TV, the various steps the network took to push the limit of what’s allowed on screen garnered a fair share of pearl-clutching headlines; see “The Sopranos” in the ’90s and “Euphoria” just a few years back. And since the Warner Bros. and Discovery merger, there’s...
Both on the awards circuit and in the public consciousness, HBO is widely regarded as among the first Hollywood heavyweights to recognize that television, as a medium, had the power to deliver sprawling, large scale stories on a smaller screen. From HBO’s ascent in the late 1990s through its dragon-aided roar across the 2010s, the network’s original series tackled universal stories, stretching across continents and decades.
The network hasn’t been without controversy, though. HBO faced questions about its lack of diversity in flagship series, including “Game of Thrones” and “Girls,” throughout the 2010s. And, unshackled from the restrictions of broadcast TV, the various steps the network took to push the limit of what’s allowed on screen garnered a fair share of pearl-clutching headlines; see “The Sopranos” in the ’90s and “Euphoria” just a few years back. And since the Warner Bros. and Discovery merger, there’s...
- 5/7/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
What do Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, Idris Elba, Kevin Hart, John Boyega, Cynthia Erivo, Teyonah Parris, Djimon Hounsou, Ray Fisher, Lauren London, Mahershala Ali, Myha’la, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Angela Bassett all have in common? Aside from the fact that they’re extremely talented, award-winning artists, they’re also starring in . These forthcoming films have everything from government conspiracies to jail-busting detectives, high-stakes heists to planetary wars — and you won’t want to miss any of them.
These seven films — all boasting Black filmmakers, actors or both — are all part of a packed roster of new releases coming your way this year. So grab your calendar and stock up on popcorn, because you’re going to want to know exactly when you’ll be able to hit play on films like Kenya Barris’ You People, the return of Elba’s John Luther in Luther: The Fallen Sun, pulpy mystery caper They...
These seven films — all boasting Black filmmakers, actors or both — are all part of a packed roster of new releases coming your way this year. So grab your calendar and stock up on popcorn, because you’re going to want to know exactly when you’ll be able to hit play on films like Kenya Barris’ You People, the return of Elba’s John Luther in Luther: The Fallen Sun, pulpy mystery caper They...
- 5/2/2024
- by Shanelle Genai
- Tudum - Netflix
Exclusive: Industry star Myha’la has joined Lily James in 20th Century’s upcoming movie inspired by the story of Whitney Wolfe Herd, the founder of Bumble and co-founder of Tinder.
We understand filming is due to get underway in LA early next month.
20th Century Studios and Ethea Entertainment, the production company formed by Jennifer Gibgot and Andrew Panay, are behind the project, which has James in the lead role.
After co-founding Tinder, Wolfe Herd left the dating app in 2014. She went on to launch competitor Bumble that same year. In 2021, the company went public and she officially became one of the youngest self-made billionaires at age 31. She would step down as CEO in 2023 but by then the app had become a huge success with several divisions that are still thriving today.
Plot details are still relatively under wraps as the film is an inspiration and not based on Wolfe...
We understand filming is due to get underway in LA early next month.
20th Century Studios and Ethea Entertainment, the production company formed by Jennifer Gibgot and Andrew Panay, are behind the project, which has James in the lead role.
After co-founding Tinder, Wolfe Herd left the dating app in 2014. She went on to launch competitor Bumble that same year. In 2021, the company went public and she officially became one of the youngest self-made billionaires at age 31. She would step down as CEO in 2023 but by then the app had become a huge success with several divisions that are still thriving today.
Plot details are still relatively under wraps as the film is an inspiration and not based on Wolfe...
- 4/18/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Boiling Point is an intense drama series created by Philip Barantini, James Cummings, and Stephen Graham. The BBC One series continues the story of the 2021 film of the same name and it picks up the story six months after the events of the film and it sees Carly struggling to establish her new restaurant, while Andy tries to cope with the aftermath of his heart attack. Boiling Point stars Vinette Robinson in the lead role with Hannah Walters, Izuka Hoyle, Ray Panthaki, Hannah Traylen, Stephen McMillan, Shaun Fagan, Stephen Odubola, and Graham starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the Boiling Point’s sequel series here are some similar shows you should check out next.
The Bear (Hulu) Credit – FX
The Bear has to be one of the most stressful shows to watch, which is perfect for the fans of Boiling Point. Created by Christopher Storer, the FX series...
The Bear (Hulu) Credit – FX
The Bear has to be one of the most stressful shows to watch, which is perfect for the fans of Boiling Point. Created by Christopher Storer, the FX series...
- 3/29/2024
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
While HBO fans will have to wait even longer for a new season of “Euphoria,” another viral series will be back for its long-awaited third season: “Industry.”
The critically-acclaimed drama set in the world of finance will screen its Season 3 premiere episode at this year’s Atx TV Festival, taking place from May 30 to June 2. Creators/writers/directors/executive producers Mickey Down and Konrad Kay will be joined by cast members including Myha’la Herrold to discuss the making of the latest installment that captures the intensity of international banking.
Fellow upcoming HBO series “Fantasmas” hailing from creator/director/star Julio Torres is also debuting at the Austin-based Atx TV Festival, with Torres discussing his new series. The “Problemista” writer/director/star helms the anthology “Fantasmas” which is described as being “little films” following “eerie comedic stories” as Torres tries to find a missing golden oyster.
HBO and Max will additionally...
The critically-acclaimed drama set in the world of finance will screen its Season 3 premiere episode at this year’s Atx TV Festival, taking place from May 30 to June 2. Creators/writers/directors/executive producers Mickey Down and Konrad Kay will be joined by cast members including Myha’la Herrold to discuss the making of the latest installment that captures the intensity of international banking.
Fellow upcoming HBO series “Fantasmas” hailing from creator/director/star Julio Torres is also debuting at the Austin-based Atx TV Festival, with Torres discussing his new series. The “Problemista” writer/director/star helms the anthology “Fantasmas” which is described as being “little films” following “eerie comedic stories” as Torres tries to find a missing golden oyster.
HBO and Max will additionally...
- 3/27/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Atx TV Festival announced new updates to its line-up Wednesday, including screenings of Fargo, Pretty Little Liars and the Season 3 premiere of HBO’s critically acclaimed Industry. All of these are in addition to the previously announced Suits reunion panel that’s set to take place at the annual Austin, Texas event later this spring.
Fargo creator, writer and director Noah Hawley will join for a screening of Season 5, Episode 1 (“The Tragedy of the Commons”), followed by a conversation about the overall season, which stars Juno Temple, Jon Hamm and Jennifer Jason Leigh.
More from TVLineSuits: L.A. Adds One Tree Hill...
Fargo creator, writer and director Noah Hawley will join for a screening of Season 5, Episode 1 (“The Tragedy of the Commons”), followed by a conversation about the overall season, which stars Juno Temple, Jon Hamm and Jennifer Jason Leigh.
More from TVLineSuits: L.A. Adds One Tree Hill...
- 3/27/2024
- by Claire Franken
- TVLine.com
Exclusive: Atx TV Festival is expanding its 2024 programming.
The lineup will now feature several screenings and conversations from series including Industry Season 3, Pretty Little Liars: Summer School, and Fargo. Other events will incorporate shows like Girls5eva into the programming as well.
HBO and Max are planning several panels. Fantasmas, which premieres this summer, has set its world premiere at Atx, followed by a conversation with creator, star, and director Julio Torres.
Industry Season 3 will also debut at the festival, followed by a conversation with creators Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, as well as star Myha’la Herrold. Additional cast is likely to be announced soon. Season 3 is set to stream on Max in 2024, though a premiere date has not been set.
Finally, Max will also host a screening and Q&a for Pretty Little Liars: Summer School, which is a continuation of Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin. There will footage from a new episode,...
The lineup will now feature several screenings and conversations from series including Industry Season 3, Pretty Little Liars: Summer School, and Fargo. Other events will incorporate shows like Girls5eva into the programming as well.
HBO and Max are planning several panels. Fantasmas, which premieres this summer, has set its world premiere at Atx, followed by a conversation with creator, star, and director Julio Torres.
Industry Season 3 will also debut at the festival, followed by a conversation with creators Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, as well as star Myha’la Herrold. Additional cast is likely to be announced soon. Season 3 is set to stream on Max in 2024, though a premiere date has not been set.
Finally, Max will also host a screening and Q&a for Pretty Little Liars: Summer School, which is a continuation of Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin. There will footage from a new episode,...
- 3/27/2024
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
Having it’s World Premiere at SXSW on March 14 was Alex Garland’s Civil War.
The Hollywood Reporter says, “The audience reaction to the film has been very effusive, with viewers calling it a riveting, disturbing, masterful piece of filmmaking (read the audience and critic first reactions).”
The consensus of many of the reviews out of the film festival in Austin say the film is brilliant:
“With the precision and length of its violent battle sequences, it’s clear Civil War operates as a clarion call. Garland wrote the film in 2020 as he watched cogs on America’s self-mythologizing exceptionalist machine turn, propelling the nation into a nightmare. With this latest film, he sounds the alarm, wondering less about how a country walks blindly into its own destruction and more about what happens when it does,” says Lovia Gyarkye in her review over at The Hollywood Reporter.
“Alex Garland’s...
The Hollywood Reporter says, “The audience reaction to the film has been very effusive, with viewers calling it a riveting, disturbing, masterful piece of filmmaking (read the audience and critic first reactions).”
The consensus of many of the reviews out of the film festival in Austin say the film is brilliant:
“With the precision and length of its violent battle sequences, it’s clear Civil War operates as a clarion call. Garland wrote the film in 2020 as he watched cogs on America’s self-mythologizing exceptionalist machine turn, propelling the nation into a nightmare. With this latest film, he sounds the alarm, wondering less about how a country walks blindly into its own destruction and more about what happens when it does,” says Lovia Gyarkye in her review over at The Hollywood Reporter.
“Alex Garland’s...
- 3/17/2024
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Black Mirror is returning to the USS Callister, the setting of one of its most highly-regarded episodes.
Netflix confirmed Season 7 of Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones’ anthology today and delivered a teaser that will delight fans.
“USS Callister will return… Robert Daly is dead, but for the crew of the USS Callister, their problems are just beginning,” said the tease, revealed at Netflix’s See What’s Next Event in London.
USS Callister was the first episode of the fourth season of Black Mirror – the second on Netflix – and starred Jesse Plemons, Cristin Milioti, Jimmi Simpson and Michaela Coel.
The Emmy-winning instalment was penned by Brooker and directed by Toby Haynes and followed Daly (Plemons), a reclusive but gifted programer and co-founder of a popular massively multiplayer online game who is bitter over the lack of recognition of his position from his coworkers. Telling a tale that evoked themes of...
Netflix confirmed Season 7 of Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones’ anthology today and delivered a teaser that will delight fans.
“USS Callister will return… Robert Daly is dead, but for the crew of the USS Callister, their problems are just beginning,” said the tease, revealed at Netflix’s See What’s Next Event in London.
USS Callister was the first episode of the fourth season of Black Mirror – the second on Netflix – and starred Jesse Plemons, Cristin Milioti, Jimmi Simpson and Michaela Coel.
The Emmy-winning instalment was penned by Brooker and directed by Toby Haynes and followed Daly (Plemons), a reclusive but gifted programer and co-founder of a popular massively multiplayer online game who is bitter over the lack of recognition of his position from his coworkers. Telling a tale that evoked themes of...
- 3/14/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
An invitation-only industry presentation of You Hateful Things, a new play by Will Arbery directed by Simon Stone, will be held this week in New York, with a cast including Christian Slater, Amandla Stenberg, Jakeem Powell, John Cameron Mitchell, Lucas Hedges and Myha’la.
The play’s synopsis: “In You Hateful Things, Dad keeps all of his weirdness in a big box, and today we’re opening it.”
In addition to their film careers, Slater has appeared on Broadway six times, most recently in 2005’s The Glass Menagerie; Hedges starred in 2018’s The Waverly Gallery; and Mitchell created and starred in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Powell is best known for his performance in Harris’ Slave Play, while Myha’la
recently appeared in Leave the World Behind and Amandla Stenberg’s appeared in Bodies Bodies Bodies.
The industry presentation will be directed by Simon Stone.
The play’s synopsis: “In You Hateful Things, Dad keeps all of his weirdness in a big box, and today we’re opening it.”
In addition to their film careers, Slater has appeared on Broadway six times, most recently in 2005’s The Glass Menagerie; Hedges starred in 2018’s The Waverly Gallery; and Mitchell created and starred in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Powell is best known for his performance in Harris’ Slave Play, while Myha’la
recently appeared in Leave the World Behind and Amandla Stenberg’s appeared in Bodies Bodies Bodies.
The industry presentation will be directed by Simon Stone.
- 3/12/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO's series about the young and pretty people who execute complex financial trades during the day and get into even more complex adventures after hours has thrilled audiences since its debut in 2020.
Industry, created by Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, follows the action at Pierpoint & Co., an investment bank based in London. The show features a large cast led by Yasmin (Marisa Abela) and Harper (Myha'la Herrold), with Ken Leong as Eric, their boss.
The show, produced by Bad Wolf Productions and which HBO and the BBC share, draws its tensions from dramatic moments of trading machinations and the characters' often messy personal lives.
Has Industry Been Renewed?
Yes. HBO announced the renewal of Industry for a third season in October of 2022, after the completion of its second season.
"Industry reached new heights in season two, cementing its status as a buzzy hit with addictive storytelling, layered characters, a breakneck pace,...
Industry, created by Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, follows the action at Pierpoint & Co., an investment bank based in London. The show features a large cast led by Yasmin (Marisa Abela) and Harper (Myha'la Herrold), with Ken Leong as Eric, their boss.
The show, produced by Bad Wolf Productions and which HBO and the BBC share, draws its tensions from dramatic moments of trading machinations and the characters' often messy personal lives.
Has Industry Been Renewed?
Yes. HBO announced the renewal of Industry for a third season in October of 2022, after the completion of its second season.
"Industry reached new heights in season two, cementing its status as a buzzy hit with addictive storytelling, layered characters, a breakneck pace,...
- 3/7/2024
- by Stephen Silver
- TVfanatic
Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Predictions are updated every Thursday.
Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:
Oscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys
2024 Oscars Predictions:
Best Actress in a Leading Role Emma Stone in “Poor Things”
Weekly Commentary: In best actress, the competition is as fierce as it gets. Emma Stone’s transformation into a woman with a child’s brain surgically implanted in Yorgos Lanthimos’ sci-fi comedy “Poor Things” has garnered substantial support.
Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:
Oscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys
2024 Oscars Predictions:
Best Actress in a Leading Role Emma Stone in “Poor Things”
Weekly Commentary: In best actress, the competition is as fierce as it gets. Emma Stone’s transformation into a woman with a child’s brain surgically implanted in Yorgos Lanthimos’ sci-fi comedy “Poor Things” has garnered substantial support.
- 3/7/2024
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Lots of stars stepped out for the Miu Miu fashion show in Paris!
Sydney Sweeney, Joey King, and Emma Corrin were among the celebs who sat front row at the show on Tuesday afternoon (March 5) in Paris, France.
More stars in attendance included Cailee Spaeny, Aja Naomi King, Bel Powley, Hailee Steinfeld, Lorde, Myha’la Herrold, and more.
Sydney made a fashion statement by wearing a pair of silver Miu Miu panties that are worth over $5,000.
This was Joey‘s second show of the week after she attended the Balenciaga fashion show on Sunday. On her day off from fashion week, she went to Disneyland Paris. She wrote on Instagram, “The only way to the twilight zone, is through Paris...
Sydney Sweeney, Joey King, and Emma Corrin were among the celebs who sat front row at the show on Tuesday afternoon (March 5) in Paris, France.
More stars in attendance included Cailee Spaeny, Aja Naomi King, Bel Powley, Hailee Steinfeld, Lorde, Myha’la Herrold, and more.
Sydney made a fashion statement by wearing a pair of silver Miu Miu panties that are worth over $5,000.
This was Joey‘s second show of the week after she attended the Balenciaga fashion show on Sunday. On her day off from fashion week, she went to Disneyland Paris. She wrote on Instagram, “The only way to the twilight zone, is through Paris...
- 3/5/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Netflix comedy movies in March 2024 cover every subgenre in the category. Whether you’re looking to stream slapstick, a rom-com, or something with a side of horror, Netflix’s March additions have something for you.
While any time is a good time to watch a comedy, springtime and laughs can go hand-in-hand. With warmer weather (and summer blockbusters) around the corner, spend your March with Netflix’s best comedy movies.
‘Beverly Hills Ninja’ Coming to Netflix March 1
Celebrate comedy legend Chris Farley by streaming Beverly Hills Ninja on Netflix beginning March 1. The 1997 martial arts comedy marks the final film released during Farley’s lifetime, as the actor died less than a year after its release.
Farley stars as Haru, adopted as a child by a clan of ninjas who believe he’ll become the master promised in legends. As expected, Haru never entirely becomes a ninja despite his best efforts.
While any time is a good time to watch a comedy, springtime and laughs can go hand-in-hand. With warmer weather (and summer blockbusters) around the corner, spend your March with Netflix’s best comedy movies.
‘Beverly Hills Ninja’ Coming to Netflix March 1
Celebrate comedy legend Chris Farley by streaming Beverly Hills Ninja on Netflix beginning March 1. The 1997 martial arts comedy marks the final film released during Farley’s lifetime, as the actor died less than a year after its release.
Farley stars as Haru, adopted as a child by a clan of ninjas who believe he’ll become the master promised in legends. As expected, Haru never entirely becomes a ninja despite his best efforts.
- 3/1/2024
- by Matt Moore
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Following their collaboration on the Netflix horror drama Leave the World Behind, Julia Roberts and Sam Esmail are reportedly set to be reuniting on a new project. Directed and written by Esmail, and starring Roberts alongside Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la Herrold, and Kevin Bacon, the 2023 film follows a family on vacation, when two strangers bring news of a blackout on Long Island, prompting both families to navigate survival amidst escalating threats and personal introspection in a collapsing world.
Julia Roberts in her latest Netflix movie Leave the World Behind
Despite the absence of a film chief at Netflix, recent reports suggest that the streaming platform is actively pursuing another project with Roberts and Esmail, titled Panic Carefully, which is also attracting interest from major Hollywood studios.
Julia Roberts and Sam Esmail Are Reportedly Reuniting For a New Project
After the resounding success of the 2023 apocalyptic psychological thriller Leave the World Behind,...
Julia Roberts in her latest Netflix movie Leave the World Behind
Despite the absence of a film chief at Netflix, recent reports suggest that the streaming platform is actively pursuing another project with Roberts and Esmail, titled Panic Carefully, which is also attracting interest from major Hollywood studios.
Julia Roberts and Sam Esmail Are Reportedly Reuniting For a New Project
After the resounding success of the 2023 apocalyptic psychological thriller Leave the World Behind,...
- 2/21/2024
- by Laxmi Rajput
- FandomWire
Exclusive: Here is another hot package set to hit the European Film Market next week as Deadline is hearing Zac Efron is attached to star in Famous with Jody Hill directing and Sam Esmail producing. Black Bear will introduce Famous to international buyers at the upcoming EFM with with CAA Media Finance and WME Independent representing the U.S. rights.
Efron will star in dual roles, playing both overzealous fan, Lance Dunkquist, and Hollywood heartthrob, James Jansen. The film is based on the acclaimed novel by New York Times bestselling author Blake Crouch and is adapted for the screen by Chad Hodge, who also adapted Crouch’s Wayward Pines trilogy into a series. Esmail will produce along with his producing partner Chad Hamilton through their Esmail Corp. banner. Esmail Corp.’s Nick Krishnamurthy will also exec produce.
The story follows Lance Dunkquist, who has one asset that’s about to...
Efron will star in dual roles, playing both overzealous fan, Lance Dunkquist, and Hollywood heartthrob, James Jansen. The film is based on the acclaimed novel by New York Times bestselling author Blake Crouch and is adapted for the screen by Chad Hodge, who also adapted Crouch’s Wayward Pines trilogy into a series. Esmail will produce along with his producing partner Chad Hamilton through their Esmail Corp. banner. Esmail Corp.’s Nick Krishnamurthy will also exec produce.
The story follows Lance Dunkquist, who has one asset that’s about to...
- 2/8/2024
- by Justin Kroll and Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail assembled an impressive cast for his thriller Leave the World Behind that included Julia Roberts (Homecoming), Ethan Hawke (The Black Phone), and Mahershala Ali (True Detective) – but he also delivered a divisive movie that earned reactions that ranged from “wildly riveting and entertaining” and “absolutely amazing” to “hideously bad” and “absolutely awful”. JoBlo’s own Chris Bumbray gave the film a 5/10 review that you can read at This Link. I would have scored it higher, I was just left wanting a little more from the ending. Despite the wildly varying reactions, the movie has proven to be quite popular on the Netflix streaming service – in fact, the view count over its first couple months of release has landed it on Netflix’s Top 10 Most Popular Movies list!
Leave the World Behind lands at #8 on the list, ranking above Glass Onion and Extraction. Here’s the...
Leave the World Behind lands at #8 on the list, ranking above Glass Onion and Extraction. Here’s the...
- 2/1/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Netflix is not going to change up its movie strategy in the wake of the exit of film chairman Scott Stuber, according to co-ceo Ted Sarandos.
Sarandos did not directly address Stuber’s departure, news of which came out Monday. But, asked on the streamer’s fourth-quarter 2023 earnings interview about whether “recent management departures” might signal a shift away from original movies, Sarandos replied, “We do not plan to change our strategy or the mix [of licensed and original films]. It’s always going to be that kind of blend of, first window, second window and deep catalog. We think that formula works best to entertain the world.”
Netflix’s original movies “are attracting some of the biggest audiences in the world,” Sarandos said, adding that Netflix’s original films outperform licensed titles on balance. He called out “Leave the World Behind,” the dystopian thriller from executive producers Barack and Michelle Obama that stars Mahershala Ali,...
Sarandos did not directly address Stuber’s departure, news of which came out Monday. But, asked on the streamer’s fourth-quarter 2023 earnings interview about whether “recent management departures” might signal a shift away from original movies, Sarandos replied, “We do not plan to change our strategy or the mix [of licensed and original films]. It’s always going to be that kind of blend of, first window, second window and deep catalog. We think that formula works best to entertain the world.”
Netflix’s original movies “are attracting some of the biggest audiences in the world,” Sarandos said, adding that Netflix’s original films outperform licensed titles on balance. He called out “Leave the World Behind,” the dystopian thriller from executive producers Barack and Michelle Obama that stars Mahershala Ali,...
- 1/24/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos was asked by an analyst on today’s Q4 earnings call if “the recent management departure” would impact the streamer’s future plans for making original feature films.
“Recent management departure” meaning Film Boss Scott Stuber (who wasn’t specifically name-checked on the call), who is expected to leave in March to start his own media company.
The analyst pointed out that Netflix original movies, even though they outperform licensed titles in viewers and hours, don’t have the same kind of cultural impact that the streamer’s series do.
“Our original movies are attracting some of the biggest audiences in the world,” heralded Sarandos, giving a shoutout to Sam Esmail’s thriller feature, Leave the World Behind, starring Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke and Myha’la.
Related: Netflix Co-Chief Ted Sarandos Says WWE Deal Is “Right In The Sweet Spot” Of Emerging “Drama...
“Recent management departure” meaning Film Boss Scott Stuber (who wasn’t specifically name-checked on the call), who is expected to leave in March to start his own media company.
The analyst pointed out that Netflix original movies, even though they outperform licensed titles in viewers and hours, don’t have the same kind of cultural impact that the streamer’s series do.
“Our original movies are attracting some of the biggest audiences in the world,” heralded Sarandos, giving a shoutout to Sam Esmail’s thriller feature, Leave the World Behind, starring Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke and Myha’la.
Related: Netflix Co-Chief Ted Sarandos Says WWE Deal Is “Right In The Sweet Spot” Of Emerging “Drama...
- 1/23/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The holidays are upon us, which means it’s a great time to gather ’round your screen and catch up on the best movies. Fortunately, the list of new movies on Netflix in December is quite long, so you’ve got plenty to choose from. In fact, sometimes it feels like too much to choose from. With that in mind, we’ve put together a curated list of some of the best new movies streaming on Netflix this month, including new releases and throwback library titles — including the arrival of several DC movies. From awards contenders to would-be blockbusters, Netflix is debuting several of their biggest movies this month so there’s a lot to chose from.
Check out our picks for the best new movies on Netflix in December below.
May December (2023) Netflix
Available: Dec. 1
“Carol” and “Dark Waters” director Todd Haynes is back with another lush, haunting character piece in “May December.
Check out our picks for the best new movies on Netflix in December below.
May December (2023) Netflix
Available: Dec. 1
“Carol” and “Dark Waters” director Todd Haynes is back with another lush, haunting character piece in “May December.
- 12/29/2023
- by Haleigh Foutch, Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
It's hard to read the news these days without feeling a sense of existential dread flare up in your soul. Of course, we're nearly four decades removed now from Steve Martin picking up a newspaper and screaming in his classic '80s rom-com "Roxanne," so it's not as though fretting about the state of the world is a new sensation. Be that as it may, filmmakers have spent much of the 21st century postulating how human society might come toppling down. Perhaps global warming will do us in, like in "The Day After Tomorrow." Or maybe humanity's tampering with nature will produce a super-virus that plunges our global civilization into chaos, like in "Rise of the Planet of the Apes." That movie feels especially prescient in the wake of 2020.
In the Netflix-backed "Leave the World Behind," the apocalypse is triggered by a mysterious series of cyberattacks that seemingly culminates...
In the Netflix-backed "Leave the World Behind," the apocalypse is triggered by a mysterious series of cyberattacks that seemingly culminates...
- 12/24/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
How do you build an acting career you’re proud of? Well, for Myha’la Herrold, breakout star of HBO’s Industry and the standout in Netflix’s latest apocalyptic drama Leave the World Behind, it starts with saying no.
“Honestly, I have sort of been the same bitch from like the beginning of time,” she tells Rolling Stone. “If there was something that I don’t want to do, I just don’t do it.”
It may seem like a flippant approach to entering an already crowded entertainment industry, but for the Carnegie Mellon Graduate,...
“Honestly, I have sort of been the same bitch from like the beginning of time,” she tells Rolling Stone. “If there was something that I don’t want to do, I just don’t do it.”
It may seem like a flippant approach to entering an already crowded entertainment industry, but for the Carnegie Mellon Graduate,...
- 12/22/2023
- by CT Jones
- Rollingstone.com
“I like the stock.”
If only the world of high finance could accept things as simply as that.
As we learned in 2021, the so-called masters of the universe had written off GameStop, the venerable supply of used video games and assorted tech gear. The only one, it seemed, who still believed in them was Keith Gill, who live-blogged as Roaring Kitty. With incredible transparency, he shared his spreadsheets and showed his faith by buying up shares, which encouraged others to follow suit.
The run-up of the stock, fueled by the disruptor app Robinhood, spooked Wall Street and led to at least one capitol group crumbling with hubris.
Finance can make you want to shut down and read a book, such as The Antisocial Network by Ben Mezrich, which inspired the film, but like the superb The Big Short, the 2023 film Dumb Money walks you through this Byzantine world. Director Craig Gillespie...
If only the world of high finance could accept things as simply as that.
As we learned in 2021, the so-called masters of the universe had written off GameStop, the venerable supply of used video games and assorted tech gear. The only one, it seemed, who still believed in them was Keith Gill, who live-blogged as Roaring Kitty. With incredible transparency, he shared his spreadsheets and showed his faith by buying up shares, which encouraged others to follow suit.
The run-up of the stock, fueled by the disruptor app Robinhood, spooked Wall Street and led to at least one capitol group crumbling with hubris.
Finance can make you want to shut down and read a book, such as The Antisocial Network by Ben Mezrich, which inspired the film, but like the superb The Big Short, the 2023 film Dumb Money walks you through this Byzantine world. Director Craig Gillespie...
- 12/21/2023
- by Robert Greenberger
- Comicmix.com
I’m a bit late to the party here, and this is an unusual article for me to be writing. I don’t like to use first person, see! But even though the film came to Netflix a couple of weeks ago I feel like we need to talk about Leave The World Behind and its ending. This isn’t an ‘ending explained’ as such, because I’m not completely sure I can fully explain everything. Instead I think we should talk about it, and I invite you to join me in the comments with your explanations.
Here’s what I made of the film and its closing moments.
Leave the World Behind sees a misanthropic woman and her laissez-faire husband face disasters they are absolutely unprepared for via a massive cyber attack. It’s got a super starry cast, including Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali and Kevin Bacon,...
Here’s what I made of the film and its closing moments.
Leave the World Behind sees a misanthropic woman and her laissez-faire husband face disasters they are absolutely unprepared for via a massive cyber attack. It’s got a super starry cast, including Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali and Kevin Bacon,...
- 12/21/2023
- by Rosie Fletcher
- Den of Geek
[This story contains major spoilers about the ending of Leave the World Behind, now streaming on Netflix.]
Plenty of people tried to talk Leave the World Behind director Sam Esmail out of his film’s controversial ending — even Esmail tried to talk himself out of his film’s controversial ending.
But the filmmaker responsible for projects including Mr. Robot ultimately stayed the course, and now, just as he anticipated, the ambiguous conclusion to his apocalyptic thriller has left audiences divided. Adapted from Rumaan Alam’s 2020 novel of the same name, Esmail’s iteration, which quickly topped Netflix’s top 10 list when it debuted Dec. 8, follows Amanda and Clay Sandford, played by Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke, who take their children Rose (Farrah Mackenzie) and Archie (Charlie Evans) on a weekend getaway to Long Island. While there, the owners of their luxe home rental, Gh Scott (Mahershala Ali) and his daughter Ruth (Myha’la Herrold) return, citing a blackout back in the city.
Plenty of people tried to talk Leave the World Behind director Sam Esmail out of his film’s controversial ending — even Esmail tried to talk himself out of his film’s controversial ending.
But the filmmaker responsible for projects including Mr. Robot ultimately stayed the course, and now, just as he anticipated, the ambiguous conclusion to his apocalyptic thriller has left audiences divided. Adapted from Rumaan Alam’s 2020 novel of the same name, Esmail’s iteration, which quickly topped Netflix’s top 10 list when it debuted Dec. 8, follows Amanda and Clay Sandford, played by Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke, who take their children Rose (Farrah Mackenzie) and Archie (Charlie Evans) on a weekend getaway to Long Island. While there, the owners of their luxe home rental, Gh Scott (Mahershala Ali) and his daughter Ruth (Myha’la Herrold) return, citing a blackout back in the city.
- 12/20/2023
- by Lacey Rose
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In this apocalyptic thriller from award-winning writer and director Sam Esmail (Mr. Robot), Amanda (Academy Award winner Julia Roberts) and her husband Clay (Academy Award nominee Ethan Hawke), rent a luxurious home for the weekend with their kids, Archie (Charlie Evans) and Rose (Farrah Mackenzie). Their vacation is soon upended when two strangers — G.H. (Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali) and his daughter Ruth (Myha’la) — arrive in the night, bearing news of a mysterious cyberattack and seeking refuge in the house they claim is theirs. The two families reckon with a looming disaster that grows more terrifying by the minute, forcing everyone to come to terms with their places in a collapsing world. Based on the National Book Award-nominated novel by Rumaan Alam, Leave The World Behind is produced by Esmail Corp, Red Om Films, and executive produced by Higher Ground Productions.
Watch the film on Netflix: https://www.
Watch the film on Netflix: https://www.
- 12/19/2023
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
Netflix has scored another hit with the new film, Leave the World Behind. Starring Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, Myha’la and Kevin Bacon, the film follows two families who must band together to survive as the world’s technological services slowly break down.
Written and directed by Sam Esmail, Leave the World Behind is based on the 2020 book of the same name by Rumaan Alam. A finalist...
Netflix has scored another hit with the new film, Leave the World Behind. Starring Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, Myha’la and Kevin Bacon, the film follows two families who must band together to survive as the world’s technological services slowly break down.
Written and directed by Sam Esmail, Leave the World Behind is based on the 2020 book of the same name by Rumaan Alam. A finalist...
- 12/14/2023
- by Tim Chan
- Rollingstone.com
Things were going so well for "Leave the World Behind." Netflix's latest psychological thriller/disaster film hit the service on December 8, 2023, and promptly dominated the most-watched charts, claiming the top spot in 85 countries around the world as of December 11 (according to streaming data aggregator FlixPatrol). Directed by "Mr. Robot" creator Sam Esmail, the film also managed to impress critics, succeeding where other Netflix thrillers such as the disappointingly muddled "Reptile" failed.
The movie holds a 75% rating on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of writing, with critics praising Email's direction and the film's overall tone, which manages to establish a creeping sense of dread throughout. The performances were also singled out as a highlight, which is hardly surprising considering "Leave the World Behind" features one of the best casts yet assembled by Netflix. With Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha'la, and Kevin Bacon, even if the script and direction were complete rubbish,...
The movie holds a 75% rating on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of writing, with critics praising Email's direction and the film's overall tone, which manages to establish a creeping sense of dread throughout. The performances were also singled out as a highlight, which is hardly surprising considering "Leave the World Behind" features one of the best casts yet assembled by Netflix. With Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha'la, and Kevin Bacon, even if the script and direction were complete rubbish,...
- 12/13/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Well would you look at that, there's actually a good movie at the top of the Netflix charts. I kid, of course ... kind of. The biggest streaming platform in the world is notorious for the sheer volume of "content" it produces, and for the most part, that means a heck of a lot of, shall we say, forgettable films and shows — most of which you could swear you've seen but probably can't recall a single scene.
For instance, there was the time a truly abject Spanish slasher climbed the Netflix most-watched charts despite decidedly bland reviews. Or the time everyone watched the disappointing Michael Fassbender thriller "The Snowman" and seemingly proved that Netflix users will watch anything. Recently, we had a film that looked like it could actually be the real deal in the form of the Benicio Del Toro-led thriller "Reptile." Indeed, the movie had the Netflix charts...
For instance, there was the time a truly abject Spanish slasher climbed the Netflix most-watched charts despite decidedly bland reviews. Or the time everyone watched the disappointing Michael Fassbender thriller "The Snowman" and seemingly proved that Netflix users will watch anything. Recently, we had a film that looked like it could actually be the real deal in the form of the Benicio Del Toro-led thriller "Reptile." Indeed, the movie had the Netflix charts...
- 12/13/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
“Leave the World Behind” opened with a bang as the apocalyptic thriller cracked the Netflix Top 10 during the Dec. 4-10 viewing window at No. 1 on the English Films list with 41.7 million views, making it the most-viewed title this week as viewers attempted to dissect that final theory in director Sam Esmail’s adaptation of Rumaan Alam’s novel of the same name.
Starring Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, and Myha’la, the film landed on the streamer on Dec. 8 following its world premiere at AFI Festival on Nov. 22.
The film was followed by “Family Switch,” starring Jennifer Garner and Ed Helms, which scored the No. 2 spot on the English films chart with 18.6 million views, then Adam Sandler’s animated comedy, “Leo”
On the English TV side, “Obliterated” jumped ahead in this week’s rankings leading the television titles with 9 million views in its second week on the list. The action-comedy...
Starring Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, and Myha’la, the film landed on the streamer on Dec. 8 following its world premiere at AFI Festival on Nov. 22.
The film was followed by “Family Switch,” starring Jennifer Garner and Ed Helms, which scored the No. 2 spot on the English films chart with 18.6 million views, then Adam Sandler’s animated comedy, “Leo”
On the English TV side, “Obliterated” jumped ahead in this week’s rankings leading the television titles with 9 million views in its second week on the list. The action-comedy...
- 12/12/2023
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
Leave The World Behind: Director Sam Esmail Opens Up About Friends Reference In Julia Roberts Starrer! (Picture Credit: IMDb)
Netflix’s dystopian science-fiction movie Leave the World Behind, starring Mahershala Ali, Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la Jael Herrold, and Kevin Bacon, has garnered rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. Based on the award-winning book by Rumaan Alam of the same name, the film follows two families as they cope with an impending apocalypse.
Leave the World Behind sees Julia Roberts play Amanda Sandford, a privileged white woman, the type the internet prefers to call ‘Karen’, who takes her family —her husband Clay (Ethan Hawke) and two kids, Archie (Charlie Evans) and Rose (Farrah Mackenzie)— to a weekend getaway to a Long Island beach house. Amanda gets the shock of her life when G.H. Scott (Mahershala Ali), claiming to be the property owner, shows up with his...
Netflix’s dystopian science-fiction movie Leave the World Behind, starring Mahershala Ali, Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la Jael Herrold, and Kevin Bacon, has garnered rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. Based on the award-winning book by Rumaan Alam of the same name, the film follows two families as they cope with an impending apocalypse.
Leave the World Behind sees Julia Roberts play Amanda Sandford, a privileged white woman, the type the internet prefers to call ‘Karen’, who takes her family —her husband Clay (Ethan Hawke) and two kids, Archie (Charlie Evans) and Rose (Farrah Mackenzie)— to a weekend getaway to a Long Island beach house. Amanda gets the shock of her life when G.H. Scott (Mahershala Ali), claiming to be the property owner, shows up with his...
- 12/12/2023
- by Shivani Negi
- KoiMoi
‘Leave The World Behind’ Director Explains How Barack Obama Helped In The Making Of This Julia Roberts- Led Film (Picture Credit: Facebook & IMDb)
Netflix’s Leave the World Behind, starring Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la Herrold, Mahershala Ali, Kevin Bacon, and others, has been getting appreciated by audiences all over, and it has been produced by former US President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama. But director Sam Esmail reveals the president’s connection was more profound than just being a producer on this Netflix thriller.
The film is based on a novel by Rumaan Alam of the same name. It came out in 2020. Sam Esmail directs the movie about a family’s getaway in a fancy rental house. Things change soon; they face a cyberattack when two strangers knock at their door. The director is known for his work, Mr Robot, which has been widely appreciated and critically acclaimed.
Netflix’s Leave the World Behind, starring Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la Herrold, Mahershala Ali, Kevin Bacon, and others, has been getting appreciated by audiences all over, and it has been produced by former US President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama. But director Sam Esmail reveals the president’s connection was more profound than just being a producer on this Netflix thriller.
The film is based on a novel by Rumaan Alam of the same name. It came out in 2020. Sam Esmail directs the movie about a family’s getaway in a fancy rental house. Things change soon; they face a cyberattack when two strangers knock at their door. The director is known for his work, Mr Robot, which has been widely appreciated and critically acclaimed.
- 12/12/2023
- by Esita Mallik
- KoiMoi
Spoiler Alert: This story contains major spoilers for “Leave the World Behind,” now streaming on Netflix.
Netflix’s doomsday thriller “Leave the World Behind” carries an urgent warning about our faith in technology, among many other topics. During one notable set piece, Julia Roberts’ character has to dodge incoming Teslas piling up on a highway that have been hacked through the cars’ self-driving feature. The scene demonstrates how modern technology can be used against us for destructive purposes — but it doesn’t seem like Tesla founder Elon Musk saw it that way.
The streamer recently posted the Tesla attack scene from “Leave the World Behind” on social media in its entirety, which garnered an unexpected response from Musk: “Teslas can charge from solar panels even if the world goes fully Mad Max and there is no more gasoline!”
Musk used the scene to tout that Teslas can use solar panels to charge,...
Netflix’s doomsday thriller “Leave the World Behind” carries an urgent warning about our faith in technology, among many other topics. During one notable set piece, Julia Roberts’ character has to dodge incoming Teslas piling up on a highway that have been hacked through the cars’ self-driving feature. The scene demonstrates how modern technology can be used against us for destructive purposes — but it doesn’t seem like Tesla founder Elon Musk saw it that way.
The streamer recently posted the Tesla attack scene from “Leave the World Behind” on social media in its entirety, which garnered an unexpected response from Musk: “Teslas can charge from solar panels even if the world goes fully Mad Max and there is no more gasoline!”
Musk used the scene to tout that Teslas can use solar panels to charge,...
- 12/11/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Julia Roberts loved playing a complex character in 'Leave the World Behind'.The 56-year-old actress stars alongside Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali and Kevin Bacon in the psychological thriller film, and Julia has revealed that she relished the opportunity.Asked if she enjoyed the experience, Julia told Sky News' 'Backstage' podcast: "Absolutely - just more interesting and more complicated."And then you add in [the other characters] and then to create all the circumstances that Sam [Esmail, the director] has put us in, in this story, it's like a sandbox."In 'Leave the World Behind', the characters struggle to cope when they're cut off from technology.But Julia believes she would actually be fine in that scenario.She said: "I'm 56 years old - I grew up with, like, Triple A Triptychs where you turn the page on the map, and you're like, 'Oh, Dad, now we're going to get down...
- 12/9/2023
- by Josh Evans
- Bang Showbiz
Thrillers unfolding in isolation allow low-budget filmmakers to use limited locations to their advantage, as well as prioritize interpersonal drama over action and bombast. But Leave the World Behind, writer-director Sam Esmail’s adaptation of Rumaan Alam’s acclaimed 2020 novel of the same name, is determined to have it both ways, telling the story of a group of people seeking refuge, unbeknownst to them, at the end of the world, but telling it with a starry cast, a few big effects-driven sequences, and even a lot of big camera movements.
Leave the World Behind opens with misanthropic advertising executive Amanda Sandford (Julia Roberts) selling her media studies professor husband, Clay (Ethan Hawke), on the impromptu Long Island getaway that she’s already booked. Beginning with an “as you know,” she explains how Clay and their kids (Farrah Mackenzie and Charlie Evans) could stand to get out of the city. Her...
Leave the World Behind opens with misanthropic advertising executive Amanda Sandford (Julia Roberts) selling her media studies professor husband, Clay (Ethan Hawke), on the impromptu Long Island getaway that she’s already booked. Beginning with an “as you know,” she explains how Clay and their kids (Farrah Mackenzie and Charlie Evans) could stand to get out of the city. Her...
- 12/8/2023
- by Steven Scaife
- Slant Magazine
Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including events for Poor Things, The Color Purple and American Fiction.
Leave the World Behind premiere
Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la, Kevin Bacon, Farrah Mackenzie, Charlie Evans and writer-director Sam Esmail walked the carpet at the NYC premiere of their Netflix thriller on Monday.
Ethan Hawke and Julia Roberts Kevin Bacon, Sam Esmail, Ethan Hawke, Julia Roberts, Farrah Mackenzie, Charlie Evans, Mahershala Ali and Myha’la Herrold
American Fiction premiere
Writer-director Cord Jefferson joined stars Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross and Sterling K. Brown at their film’s Los Angeles premiere on Tuesday.
Cord Jefferson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jeffrey Wright, Sterling K. Brown, Erika Alexander and Adam Brody
Wish music celebration
The team behind the music of Wish, including star Ariana DeBose, celebrated with an event in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
Leave the World Behind premiere
Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la, Kevin Bacon, Farrah Mackenzie, Charlie Evans and writer-director Sam Esmail walked the carpet at the NYC premiere of their Netflix thriller on Monday.
Ethan Hawke and Julia Roberts Kevin Bacon, Sam Esmail, Ethan Hawke, Julia Roberts, Farrah Mackenzie, Charlie Evans, Mahershala Ali and Myha’la Herrold
American Fiction premiere
Writer-director Cord Jefferson joined stars Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross and Sterling K. Brown at their film’s Los Angeles premiere on Tuesday.
Cord Jefferson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jeffrey Wright, Sterling K. Brown, Erika Alexander and Adam Brody
Wish music celebration
The team behind the music of Wish, including star Ariana DeBose, celebrated with an event in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
- 12/8/2023
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Leave the World Behind Movie Review Rating:
Star Cast: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la, and Kevin Bacon.
Director: Sam Esmail
Leave the World Behind Movie Review(Photo Credit –IMDb)
What’s Good: Slick direction and gorgeous cinematography accompany a great premise and performances from the star cast.
What’s Bad: Some of the dialogue can be too on the nose, and the more questions than answers ratio might leave some people unsatisfied.
Loo Break: The film boasts very solid pacing, and each scene is important, so there are no breaks.
Watch or Not?: If you were a fan of Mr. Robot or you just want to watch a better version of Knock at the Cabin, this is for you.
Language: English (with subtitles).
Available On: Netflix
Runtime: 140 Minutes.
User Rating:
Sam Esmail made a splash on the TV landscape with Mr. Robot on the USA Network. The...
Star Cast: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la, and Kevin Bacon.
Director: Sam Esmail
Leave the World Behind Movie Review(Photo Credit –IMDb)
What’s Good: Slick direction and gorgeous cinematography accompany a great premise and performances from the star cast.
What’s Bad: Some of the dialogue can be too on the nose, and the more questions than answers ratio might leave some people unsatisfied.
Loo Break: The film boasts very solid pacing, and each scene is important, so there are no breaks.
Watch or Not?: If you were a fan of Mr. Robot or you just want to watch a better version of Knock at the Cabin, this is for you.
Language: English (with subtitles).
Available On: Netflix
Runtime: 140 Minutes.
User Rating:
Sam Esmail made a splash on the TV landscape with Mr. Robot on the USA Network. The...
- 12/8/2023
- by Nelson Acosta
- KoiMoi
Sam Esmail sacrificed his hearing while making his new apocalyptic thriller Leave the World Behind. You see, in the Netflix adaption of Rumaan Alam’s 2020 novel, there’s a noise so terrifying that it incapacitates the entire country — and Esmail had to get it just right.
“As a filmmaker, I was so excited to explore that aspect because sound is everything to me,” Esmail says. “There’s a fine line of making a sound haunting without actually having the audience get up and leave. I pushed it so much initially in the beginning that,...
“As a filmmaker, I was so excited to explore that aspect because sound is everything to me,” Esmail says. “There’s a fine line of making a sound haunting without actually having the audience get up and leave. I pushed it so much initially in the beginning that,...
- 12/8/2023
- by Brenna Ehrlich
- Rollingstone.com
Plot: In the aftermath of a mysterious disaster, two wealthy New York families are forced to co-exist at a remote mansion.
Review: Sam Esmail’s Leave the World Behind is a mixed bag as far as apocalyptic thrillers go. While well-acted and peppered with some dazzling directorial flourishes, the movie is also undisciplined, with an indulgent run-time and characters that aren’t as compelling as high-profile stars might have you believe. It’s watchable and entertaining, but it spins its wheels too much in the final act and loses steam well before the credits roll.
If anything, Leave the World Behind is an excellent example of how sometimes a straightforward genre film can lose its way if puffed up with self-importance. Director Esmail (Mr. Robot), in his feature debut, is trying to make a classic, with the film an adaptation of the novel by Rumen Alam. It sports weighty themes...
Review: Sam Esmail’s Leave the World Behind is a mixed bag as far as apocalyptic thrillers go. While well-acted and peppered with some dazzling directorial flourishes, the movie is also undisciplined, with an indulgent run-time and characters that aren’t as compelling as high-profile stars might have you believe. It’s watchable and entertaining, but it spins its wheels too much in the final act and loses steam well before the credits roll.
If anything, Leave the World Behind is an excellent example of how sometimes a straightforward genre film can lose its way if puffed up with self-importance. Director Esmail (Mr. Robot), in his feature debut, is trying to make a classic, with the film an adaptation of the novel by Rumen Alam. It sports weighty themes...
- 12/8/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
This Weekend’s What To Watch List Is A Cinematic Mix of Laughter, Thrills, and Festive Surprises(Photo Credit –IMDb)
In this week’s cinematic lineup, viewers can anticipate a diverse range of releases, from the festive cheer of “Merry Little Batman” to the suspenseful drama of “Leave the World Behind” and the heart-stopping, horror-inducing narrative of “Thanksgiving.” However, it’s worth noting a somewhat unexpected scarcity of Christmas-focused movies in this listicle. Despite the historical trend of feel-good holiday films during this season, the current offerings showcase an intriguing mix of genres, encompassing not only Christmas tales but also comedy, action, thriller, and horror. The cinematic choices are indeed varied, ensuring a plethora of options for audiences seeking entertainment beyond the traditional yuletide fare.
Whether you’re in the mood for laughter, adrenaline-pumping action, spine-chilling thrills, or heartwarming moments, this listicle unveils a cinematic smorgasbord that goes beyond the anticipated Christmas movie lineup.
In this week’s cinematic lineup, viewers can anticipate a diverse range of releases, from the festive cheer of “Merry Little Batman” to the suspenseful drama of “Leave the World Behind” and the heart-stopping, horror-inducing narrative of “Thanksgiving.” However, it’s worth noting a somewhat unexpected scarcity of Christmas-focused movies in this listicle. Despite the historical trend of feel-good holiday films during this season, the current offerings showcase an intriguing mix of genres, encompassing not only Christmas tales but also comedy, action, thriller, and horror. The cinematic choices are indeed varied, ensuring a plethora of options for audiences seeking entertainment beyond the traditional yuletide fare.
Whether you’re in the mood for laughter, adrenaline-pumping action, spine-chilling thrills, or heartwarming moments, this listicle unveils a cinematic smorgasbord that goes beyond the anticipated Christmas movie lineup.
- 12/7/2023
- by Hari P N
- KoiMoi
It's the end of the world as we know it in "Leave the World Behind," Sam Esmail's odd apocalyptic adaptation of Rumaan Alam's novel. I guess you could classify this as a kind of disaster film, but Esmail has created a quirky, self-contained little saga that occasionally hints at something much, much larger lurking in the margins. It's bleak, it's weird, it's kind of funny. Full of swooping, spinning camera movements (Tod Campbell's off-kilter cinematography is a real highlight), "Leave the World Behind" isn't really interested in giving us answers. It drops us into a story and expects us to go along with all the weirdness on display. For the most part, it works, although I suspect some will take issue with the way the film all but shrugs its shoulders at providing any real answers. This is the way the world ends, the film is saying,...
- 12/7/2023
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
Exclusive: One of the longest business partnerships in Hollywood is coming to an end. Lisa Kasteler will be retiring from Wolf Kasteler after steering the agency alongside founder Annett Wolf into a PR powerhouse for the past 32 years.
Kasteler will be leaving at the end of the month, winding down a 50-year career in PR, to become Executive Director of the Matthew Perry Foundation. Perry was a client of Kasteler — and the Wolf Kasteler agency — for 28 years until his sudden death Oct. 28 at the age of 54.
Before his passing, Perry had planned to start a foundation to help others overcome drug and alcohol abuse, which he had hoped to be his legacy. His friends and loved ones are now carrying on that legacy with the recently launched Matthew Perry Foundation, which is committed to identifying addiction as a disease, addressing stigmas that prevent individuals from seeking and accessing care, and...
Kasteler will be leaving at the end of the month, winding down a 50-year career in PR, to become Executive Director of the Matthew Perry Foundation. Perry was a client of Kasteler — and the Wolf Kasteler agency — for 28 years until his sudden death Oct. 28 at the age of 54.
Before his passing, Perry had planned to start a foundation to help others overcome drug and alcohol abuse, which he had hoped to be his legacy. His friends and loved ones are now carrying on that legacy with the recently launched Matthew Perry Foundation, which is committed to identifying addiction as a disease, addressing stigmas that prevent individuals from seeking and accessing care, and...
- 12/6/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
It starts not with a bang, but a lack of Wi-Fi. The internet goes down, which means no social media, no email, no communications with the outside world, and — because this is a Netflix movie about worst-case scenarios — no streaming. Then satellites are knocked out, which kills any and all navigation systems reliant upon orbiting technology in the U.S. Because animal migration patterns have been disrupted, you may see more deer than usual popping up in your front yard. Keep an eye out for flamingos in your pool, too.
- 12/6/2023
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
Sam Esmail is baffled by the desire for adaptations to be faithful to their source material. “That’s not the point,” says the man who brought us Mr. Robot and Homecoming. “The point is, you’re making a great film, and if you’re handcuffing yourself to the source material, you’re going to get into a lot of trouble.”
With Leave the World Behind, Esmail says he was eager to adapt Rumaan Alam’s examination of class and race relations because he knew he could tell a different version of the story for film. He immediately enlisted frequent collaborator Julia Roberts, who stars opposite Ethan Hawke and Mahershala Ali in what is, spoilers aside, a tale of two families as they fight for survival amid an inexplicable blackout. Netflix jumped aboard the apocalyptic thriller and will drop it on the service Dec. 8 after a brief run in theaters. Then,...
With Leave the World Behind, Esmail says he was eager to adapt Rumaan Alam’s examination of class and race relations because he knew he could tell a different version of the story for film. He immediately enlisted frequent collaborator Julia Roberts, who stars opposite Ethan Hawke and Mahershala Ali in what is, spoilers aside, a tale of two families as they fight for survival amid an inexplicable blackout. Netflix jumped aboard the apocalyptic thriller and will drop it on the service Dec. 8 after a brief run in theaters. Then,...
- 11/30/2023
- by Lacey Rose
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Black Mirror is returning for a seventh season. Netflix has renewed the sci-fi anthology series and production will begin on the new episodes later this year, per Variety.
Created by Charlie Brooker, the Twilight Zone-esque series reinvents itself with every episode and stories comment on contemporary social issues. Aaron Paul, Anjana Vasan, Annie Murphy, Auden Thornton, Ben Barnes, Clara Rugaard, Daniel Portman, Danny Ramirez, Himesh Patel, John Hannah, Josh Hartnett, Kate Mara, Michael Cera, Monica Dolan, Myha’la Herrold, Paapa Essiedu, Rob Delaney, Rory Culkin, Salma Hayek Pinault, Samuel Blenkin, and Zazie Beetz appeared in episodes for season six.
Read More…...
Created by Charlie Brooker, the Twilight Zone-esque series reinvents itself with every episode and stories comment on contemporary social issues. Aaron Paul, Anjana Vasan, Annie Murphy, Auden Thornton, Ben Barnes, Clara Rugaard, Daniel Portman, Danny Ramirez, Himesh Patel, John Hannah, Josh Hartnett, Kate Mara, Michael Cera, Monica Dolan, Myha’la Herrold, Paapa Essiedu, Rob Delaney, Rory Culkin, Salma Hayek Pinault, Samuel Blenkin, and Zazie Beetz appeared in episodes for season six.
Read More…...
- 11/23/2023
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Roberts and Hawke’s weekend getaway starts to go wrong when two mysterious strangers appear at the door. Then things get weirder
Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali and Ethan Hawke star in this glossy, Shyamalan-level-10 apocalypto-paranoid conspiracy thriller, adapted from the 2020 bestseller by Rumaan Alam. It’s an example of a growing tendency in the movies: baggy, lengthy, episodic pictures which are starting to split the difference between feature film items and streaming TV. Amat Escalante’s Mexican thriller Lost in the Night is, I think, another example of this tendency: films that go on for a while and, like a shaggy-dog story, leave things open for the possibility of getting recommissioned for season two.
Roberts and Hawke play Amanda and Clay, well-off Brooklynites with two teen children; she’s a cynical ad exec, he’s a laidback humanities college professor. On a whim, they decide to take a luxurious weekend...
Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali and Ethan Hawke star in this glossy, Shyamalan-level-10 apocalypto-paranoid conspiracy thriller, adapted from the 2020 bestseller by Rumaan Alam. It’s an example of a growing tendency in the movies: baggy, lengthy, episodic pictures which are starting to split the difference between feature film items and streaming TV. Amat Escalante’s Mexican thriller Lost in the Night is, I think, another example of this tendency: films that go on for a while and, like a shaggy-dog story, leave things open for the possibility of getting recommissioned for season two.
Roberts and Hawke play Amanda and Clay, well-off Brooklynites with two teen children; she’s a cynical ad exec, he’s a laidback humanities college professor. On a whim, they decide to take a luxurious weekend...
- 11/23/2023
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
A24 is keeping in business with Halina Reijn.
Following the indie box office success of the Dutch actress-turned-feature-filmmaker’s 2022 word-of-mouth hit “Bodies Bodies Bodies,” A24 has another upcoming project with Reijn. “Babygirl,” the studio announced on November 21, will star Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson in an erotic thriller about a successful CEO who begins an illicit affair with her much younger intern. Antonio Banderas, Sophie Wilde (breakout star of A24’s “Talk to Me”), and Jean Reno also join the cast, IndieWire has confirmed. “Babygirl” will mark Reijn’s second feature film, which she wrote as well.
David Hinojosa of 2Am will produce alongside Reijn of Man Up Film and A24, who is financing the project. Julia Oh, Zach Nutman, and Christine D’Souza Gelb of 2Am will serve as executive producers on “Babygirl.”
Reijn’s satirical slasher “Bodies Bodies Bodies” is already headed for cult classic status since premiering at...
Following the indie box office success of the Dutch actress-turned-feature-filmmaker’s 2022 word-of-mouth hit “Bodies Bodies Bodies,” A24 has another upcoming project with Reijn. “Babygirl,” the studio announced on November 21, will star Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson in an erotic thriller about a successful CEO who begins an illicit affair with her much younger intern. Antonio Banderas, Sophie Wilde (breakout star of A24’s “Talk to Me”), and Jean Reno also join the cast, IndieWire has confirmed. “Babygirl” will mark Reijn’s second feature film, which she wrote as well.
David Hinojosa of 2Am will produce alongside Reijn of Man Up Film and A24, who is financing the project. Julia Oh, Zach Nutman, and Christine D’Souza Gelb of 2Am will serve as executive producers on “Babygirl.”
Reijn’s satirical slasher “Bodies Bodies Bodies” is already headed for cult classic status since premiering at...
- 11/21/2023
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
In the wake of five brand new nightmares that premiered earlier this year as part of the show’s sixth season, Variety is reporting that Netflix has ordered up “Black Mirror” Season 7!
The website reports, “No casting has been confirmed yet for Season 7 but Variety understands the show is set to go into production later this year with Charlie Brooker, Annabel Jones and Jessica Rhodes believed to be returning as executive producers.
“Plot details and number of episodes are still being kept under wraps.”
[Related] “Black Mirror” Season 6: Ranking All 5 Brand New Episodes
“Black Mirror” is an anthology series that taps into our collective unease with the modern world, with each stand-alone episode a sharp, suspenseful tale exploring themes of contemporary techno-paranoia leading to an unforgettable – and sometimes unsettling – conclusion. Without questioning it, technology has transformed all aspects of our lives; in every home; on every desk; in every palm...
The website reports, “No casting has been confirmed yet for Season 7 but Variety understands the show is set to go into production later this year with Charlie Brooker, Annabel Jones and Jessica Rhodes believed to be returning as executive producers.
“Plot details and number of episodes are still being kept under wraps.”
[Related] “Black Mirror” Season 6: Ranking All 5 Brand New Episodes
“Black Mirror” is an anthology series that taps into our collective unease with the modern world, with each stand-alone episode a sharp, suspenseful tale exploring themes of contemporary techno-paranoia leading to an unforgettable – and sometimes unsettling – conclusion. Without questioning it, technology has transformed all aspects of our lives; in every home; on every desk; in every palm...
- 11/21/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Like “Testament” — the 1983 movie that imagined the fallout, both nuclear and psychological, after an atomic bomb is dropped on American soil — “Leave the World Behind” depicts a plausible doomsday scenario from the perspective of a handful of ordinary characters. Not military experts, not scientists, but two families obliged to shelter under the same roof out in the Hamptons while something scary unfolds a few hours away, off-screen, in New York.
As the stress-prone matriarch of one of these families, Julia Roberts utters a line that earns a big laugh near the start, partly because America’s sweetheart isn’t supposed to say something so dismissive of everyone else on the planet, but also because many audiences can probably relate. Staring out the window of her Park Slope apartment, she pronounces, “I fucking hate people.” The name of Roberts’ character is Amanda Sandford, but it might as well be Karen, such is the rush-to-judgment,...
As the stress-prone matriarch of one of these families, Julia Roberts utters a line that earns a big laugh near the start, partly because America’s sweetheart isn’t supposed to say something so dismissive of everyone else on the planet, but also because many audiences can probably relate. Staring out the window of her Park Slope apartment, she pronounces, “I fucking hate people.” The name of Roberts’ character is Amanda Sandford, but it might as well be Karen, such is the rush-to-judgment,...
- 10/26/2023
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail has assembled an impressive cast for his thriller Leave the World Behind that includes Julia Roberts (Homecoming), Ethan Hawke (The Black Phone), and Mahershala Ali (True Detective). Netflix will be giving the film a limited theatrical release on November 22nd, with the streaming release to follow on December 8th – but a premiere screening was recently held, and the embargo on reactions has been lifted. Judging by the first reactions that have made their way online, it looks like Leave the World Behind might make for a divisive viewing experience.
First, we have a few positive reactions that describe the film as “wildly riveting and entertaining” and “absolutely amazing”, saying it has a “smart script”:
Welp, I’m going to be obsessed with #LeaveTheWorldBehind. (Or I guess I already am?) What a uniquely and expertly crafted and photographed disaster/apocalyptic story. (I absolutely must read the book now.
First, we have a few positive reactions that describe the film as “wildly riveting and entertaining” and “absolutely amazing”, saying it has a “smart script”:
Welp, I’m going to be obsessed with #LeaveTheWorldBehind. (Or I guess I already am?) What a uniquely and expertly crafted and photographed disaster/apocalyptic story. (I absolutely must read the book now.
- 10/26/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
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