Manodrome
Manodrome | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | John Trengove |
Written by | John Trengove |
Produced by |
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Starring |
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Cinematography | Wyatt Garfield |
Edited by |
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Music by | Christopher Stracey |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Lionsgate |
Release dates |
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Running time | 96 minutes[1] |
Countries |
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Language | English |
Manodrome is a 2023 drama thriller film written and directed by John Trengove. It stars Jesse Eisenberg, Adrien Brody, Odessa Young, Sallieu Sesay, Philip Ettinger, Ethan Suplee, Evan Jonigkeit and Caleb Eberhardt. The film is Trengove's English language debut and premiered at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival on February 18, 2023. It is scheduled to be released by Lionsgate in the United States on November 10, 2023.
Premise
Ralphie, a New York Uber driver, is struggling to make ends meet with his pregnant partner, Sal. Ralphie is introduced to an intense all-male self-help group by a friend, and after suffering a breakdown, he descends into madness.[3]
Cast
- Jesse Eisenberg as Ralphie[4][5]
- Adrien Brody as Dan[6]
- Odessa Young as Sal[7]
- Sallieu Sesay as Ahmet
- Philip Ettinger as Jason[7]
- Ethan Suplee as Leo[7]
- Evan Jonigkeit as Brad
- Caleb Eberhardt as Aaron
- Georghe Murressean as Sachiel[7]
Production
The film is Trengove's English language debut.[8] Riley Keough was initially cast as Sal, but departed the role due to schedule conflicts. She remains attached to the film as a producer.[7][9]
Casting for extras occurred in November 2021. Principal photography took place in Syracuse, New York from November 21, 2021 to January 4, 2022, under the shooting title, "Untitled Rust Belt".[10][11]
Release
Manodrome had its world premiere at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival and screened February 18, 2023 in the opening weekend of the Main Competition.[12] The film was nominated for the prestigious Golden Bear, in addition to the Teddy Award for Queer Cinema. It is scheduled to be released in the United States by Lionsgate Films in theaters and digital on November 10, 2023.[13]
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 60% of 15 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.6/10.[14] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 53 out of 100, based on seven critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[15]
The Playlist labeled the film as the "Best Eisenberg offering in over a decade."[16] Chris Barsanti of Slant Magazine praised Trengove for his cinematic craftsmanship, stating "While Trengrove’s skill is apparent in the slow build of tension, it truly stands out in the arguably more impressive way he holds Ralphie’s view of the world separate from that of the film’s."[17] Awards Daily called the film "A thought-provoking piece of queer filmmaking that should not be missed."[18] Deadline compared the film to Taxi Driver, writing that its tone and brutal treatment of male violence may not appeal to everyone.[3] According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film tackles themes of toxic masculinity and power dynamics in relationships through a story of a men's retreat, but its execution is too extreme, and the depiction of a poisonous cult of men whose entitlement is matched by their sense of victimhood can be shocking to some. David Rooney wrote that Jesse Eisenberg's performance as the tightly coiled Ralphie is compelling and "generally rises above the lofty self-seriousness of a movie that aims to sound the death knell on toxic masculinity."[19]
Variety's Peter Debruge wrote that Manodrome struggled to live up to its provocative premise, lacking the depth and nuance needed to effectively explore the state of contemporary masculinity, saying, "The characters feel thin, the secret society seems implausible and its goals too vague to capture the imagination."[20] Writing for Cineuropa, Davide Abbatescianni described the film's final result as a "captivating pastiche made up of thriller, psychological drama and surreal comedy tropes, filled with crazy twists and turns...This hodgepodge may be amusing or fascinating to some, but frustrating to others. That being said, viewers certainly should not expect a serious treatment of any of the themes this movie aims to broach," he warned.[21]
Collider review, titled "Jesse Eisenberg Struggles With Inner Rage in Raw Deconstruction of Masculinity," said that Manodrome may have its imperfections, but it offered a thoughtful exploration of toxic masculinity and its impact, as well as a strong warning about the dangers of enabling broken men. It writes, "it serves as a gritty character study where Eisenberg can flex some new acting muscles. Add the always-reliable Brody to the mix, and it’s easy to forgive Manodrome's imperfections."[22]
References
- ^ "Manodrome (15)". British Board of Film Classification. October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ Baughan, Nikki (February 18, 2023). "Manodrome: Berlin Review". Screen Daily. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ a b Wise, Damon (February 18, 2023). "Berlin Review: Jesse Eisenberg In John Trengrove's 'Manodrome'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
- ^ Dela Paz, Maggie (June 23, 2021). "Jesse Eisenberg, Adrien Brody & Riley Keough to Star in Manodrome Pic". Comingsoon.net. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
- ^ Vlessing, Etan (June 22, 2021). "Jesse Eisenberg, Adrien Brody, Riley Keough to Star in 'Manodrome' Thriller". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
- ^ Donnelly, Matt (June 22, 2021). "Jesse Eisenberg, Adrien Brody, and Riley Keough Join Cannes Market Title 'Manodrome'". Variety. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Kroll, Justin (January 19, 2022). "Odessa Young Replaces Riley Keough In 'Manodrome'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 22, 2021). "Jesse Eisenberg, Adrien Brody, Riley Keough To Star In 'Manodrome' – Cannes Market". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
- ^ Meyer, Joshua (January 22, 2022). "Odessa Young Has Stepped In To Replace Riley Keough In 'Masculinity Cult' Thriller Manodrome". Slash Film. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
- ^ Herbert, Geoff (November 12, 2021). "Want to be in a movie? Casting call seeks actors in Syracuse for feature film". Syracuse.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ Herbert, Geoff (January 30, 2023). "Manodrome: Jesse Eisenberg, Adrien Brody movie shot in Syracuse sets world premiere". Syracuse.com. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ Goodfellow, Andreas Wiseman,Melanie; Wiseman, Andreas; Goodfellow, Melanie (February 19, 2023). "'Manodrome' & 'Pig' Producer Ben Giladi Launches Production Banner Liminal Content — EFM". Deadline. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ McArdle, Tommy. "Jesse Eisenberg and Adrien Brody Explore an All-Male Cult in Intense Manodrome Trailer (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ "Manodrome". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ "Manodrome". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ "'Manodrome' Review: Frustrating Incel Satire Sees Jesse Eisenberg's Best Turn in a Decade". theplaylist.net. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
- ^ Barsanti, Chris (February 22, 2023). "'Manodrome' Review: An Unnerving Dispatch on Modern Manhood". Slant Magazine. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
- ^ "Berlin Dispatch – Manodrome / The Shadowless Tower". Awardsdaily. February 18, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
- ^ Rooney, David (February 18, 2023). "'Manodrome' Review: Jesse Eisenberg and Adrien Brody in Overwrought Toxic Masculinity Thriller". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
- ^ Debruge, Peter (February 18, 2023). "'Manodrome' Review: Jesse Eisenberg Glowers His Way Through Reductive Look at Modern Masculinity". Variety. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
- ^ Abbatescianni, Davide (February 18, 2023). "Review: Manodrome". Cineuropa. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
- ^ Oddo, Marco Vito (February 18, 2023). "'Manodrome' Review: Jesse Eisenberg Struggles With Inner Rage in Raw Deconstruction of Masculinity". Collider. Retrieved February 18, 2023.