Failure!

Last updated
Failure!
Failure! Poster.jpg
Theatrical release [oster
Directed by Alex Kahuam
Written byAlex Kahuam
Produced by
  • Marco De Molina
  • Kayli Fortun
  • Alex Kahuam
  • Ted Raimi
  • Jose D. Rodriguez
Starring
  • Ted Raimi
  • Merrick McCartha
  • Noel Douglas Orput
  • Melissa Diaz
  • Christin Muuli
  • Daniel Kuhlman
  • LeVar Michael
  • Spencer Langston
  • John Paul Medrano
  • Ernest Cavazos
  • Joe Barra
  • Chris Paul Morales
  • Alex Sands
  • Hyeong Choi
CinematographyErnesto Lomeli
Edited byAlex Kahuam
Music byVincent Gillioz
Production
companies
  • Promotora NAE
  • Spacebrain Entertainment
Distributed byRed Water Entertainment
Release date
Running time
87 minutes
Countries
  • Mexico
  • United States
LanguageEnglish

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.

Contents

Plot

Within one hour, a businessman must choose between his finances or murder to keep his family safe.

Cast

Production

The 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

The 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

Failure! 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]

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References

  1. Meza, Ed (2023-05-23). "Alex Kahuam's Ted Raimi Thriller 'Failure!' Goes With Alief (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety (Press release). Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  2. 1 2 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.
  3. Mack, Andrew (2022-06-28). "FAILURE! Alex Kahuam Directs Genre Icon Ted Raimi in Single Take Thriller". Screen Anarchy . Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  4. Hamman, Cody (2023-07-19). "Failure! teaser trailer: Ted Raimi thriller to premiere at FrightFest". JoBlo (Press release). Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  5. Squires, John (2023-07-18). "'Failure!' Trailer – Ted Raimi Stars in Single Take Thriller Headed to FrightFest 2023". Bloody Disgusting . Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  6. 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.
  7. "Failure!". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango . Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  8. Unsworth, Martin (2023-08-28). "FAILURE! [FrightFest 2023]". Starburst . Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  9. Chapinal, Paul (2023-08-28). "Failure!". Film News. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  10. Newman, Kim (2023-08-28). "FrightFest review – Failure!". The Kim Newman Web Site. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  11. Bitel, Anton (2023-08-28). "Failure! (2023)". Projected Figures. Retrieved 2023-08-28.