Gazer (film)

Last updated
Gazer
Gazer poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRyan J. Sloan
Written byAriella Mastroianni
Ryan J. Sloan
Produced byMason Dwinell
Ariella Mastroianni
Ryan J. Sloan
StarringAriella Mastroianni
Marcia Debonis
Renee Gagner
Jack Alberts
Tommy Kang
CinematographyMatheus Bastos
Edited byRyan J. Sloan
Jordan Toussaint
Music bySteve Matthew Carter
Production
company
Telstar Films [1]
Distributed by Metrograph Pictures
Release dates
  • May 22, 2024 (2024-05-22)(Cannes)
  • April 4, 2025 (2025-04-04)(United States)
Running time
114 minutes [2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$80,000 [3]
Box office$38,156 [4] [5]

Gazer is a 2024 American psychological [6] [7] mystery thriller film [1] [8] directed, written, produced, and edited by Ryan J. Sloan, in his feature directorial debut. The films story follows Frankie Rhodes, who struggles to perceive time, in which she takes a risky job from a mysterious woman to support her family.

Contents

The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 22, 2024, and was released in the United States on April 4, 2025.

Synopsis

Frankie Rhodes, a young mother with dyschronometria, struggles to perceive time. Using cassette tapes for guidance, she takes a risky job from a mysterious woman to support her family, unaware of the dark consequences that await.

Cast

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 78% of 45 critics' reviews are positive.The website's consensus reads: "Hypnotic and stylish if a little too indulgent in its pacing, Gazer is an intriguing mood piece featuring a terrific performance by Ariella Mastroianni." [9] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 69 out of 100, based on 15 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. [10] Writing for The Hollywood Reporter , Angie Han stated "A visually arresting, if emotionally detached, debut." [1] Catherine Bray of Variety wrote "Though it unfortunately lacks the narrative momentum of top-tier gumshoe pics, it’s no hardship spending time with Frankie, thanks to a neatly judged performance from Mastroianni." [11]

Release

Premiere

Director Ryan J. Sloan and leading actress Ariella Mastroianni at Cannes in May 22, 2024 Writer Director Ryan J. Sloan and Writer Actress Ariella Mastroianni at Cannes 2024 4.jpg
Director Ryan J. Sloan and leading actress Ariella Mastroianni at Cannes in May 22, 2024

Gazer had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 22, 2024. [7] The film also premiered at the Sitges Film Festival on October 8, [12] the Hamptons International Film Festival on October 11, [13] the Woodstock Film Festival on October 17, [14] the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival on October 22, [15] the Montclair Film Festival on October 26, [16] and the QCinema International Film Festival on November 10. [17] The film was originally set to be released in the United States on February 21, 2025, [18] [19] [20] [21] but was delayed to April 4, 2025. [22] The film was also released in France on April 23, 2025. [23]

Distribution

On May 2, 2024, Memento International acquired the international sales rights to the film. [24] On May 19, 2024, UFO Distribution acquired the French distribution rights to the film. [7] On May 29, 2024, six days after the Cannes premiere, Metrograph Pictures acquired the North American distribution rights to the film. [25] [26] [27] On January 28, 2025, Memento International signed distribution deals for Rialto Distribution in Australia and New Zealand, Gulf Film for the Middle East, AV-Jet International for Taiwan, PT Falcon for Indonesia, Feather Stone for Vietnam, Skeye for airlines, Bulldog Film Distribution for the UK and Ireland, and Cinefil for Hungary. [28]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Han, Angie (2024-05-22). "'Gazer' Review: A Striking 'Memento'-Like Noir That Keeps Viewers at a Stylish Distance". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  2. "Gazer (15)". British Board of Film Classification . July 1, 2025. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  3. "Indie film 'Gazer' delivers big rewards on a small budget". KPBS Public Media. 2025-04-21. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  4. "Gazer (2025)". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved 21 April 2025. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  5. "Gazer (2025)". The Numbers . Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  6. Stolworthy, Jacob (2024-05-24). "The cult Cannes psychological drama that deserves a worldwide release". The Independent . Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  7. 1 2 3 Lang, Jamie (2024-05-19). "UFO Nabs French Distribution for Directors' Fortnight Player 'Gazer' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  8. Zilko, Christian (2024-05-22). "'Gazer' Review: A Mother's Dyschronometria Hides Her Own Ticking Clocks in a Brilliantly Paranoid Debut". IndieWire . Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  9. "Gazer". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  10. "Gazer". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  11. Bray, Catherine (2024-10-01). "'Gazer' Review: Promising Self-Financed Directorial Debut From a Former Electrician". Variety. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  12. "October 8th, 2024". Sitges Film Festival . Retrieved 2025-04-16.
  13. McCracken, Kristin (2024-10-14). "HIFF32 Slideshow: Friday, October 11". Hamptons International Film Festival. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  14. "25th Annual Woodstock Film Festival". woodstock2024.eventive.org. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  15. "Brooklyn Horror Film Festival 2024". brooklynhorror2024.eventive.org. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  16. "Gazer | Montclair Film". montclairfilm.org. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  17. "Screening Schedule - QCinema International Film Festival". QCinema International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2024-12-02. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  18. Bergeson, Samantha (2024-12-18). "'Gazer' Trailer: Ryan J. Sloan's Debut Is a Mother's Worst Nightmare in 'Memento' Meets 'Blow Up' 16mm Noir". IndieWire . Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  19. Raup, Jordan (2024-12-18). "Gazer Trailer: Paranoia Thriller and Cannes Selection Arrives This February". The Film Stage. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  20. Navarro, Meagan (2024-12-19). "'Gazer' Trailer Distorts Time in Dark Neo-Noir Thriller". Bloody Disgusting . Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  21. Scott, Ryan (2024-12-18). "The GAZER Trailer Is Giving Serious MEMENTO Vibes". Fangoria. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  22. Navarro, Meagan (2025-02-04). "Neo-Noir Thriller 'Gazer' Gets New Poster and Release Date". Bloody Disgusting . Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  23. "Les 42 films les plus attendus par la rédac en 2025" (in French). 2024-12-13. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  24. Keslassy, Elsa (2024-05-02). "Cannes Directors' Fortnight Title 'Gazer' Boarded by Memento International (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  25. Gerike, Ted (2024-08-27). "METROGRAPH PICTURES ACQUIRES RYAN J. SLOAN'S CANNES DISCOVERY GAZER FOLLOWING WORLD PREMIERE IN DIRECTORS' FORTNIGHT - Journal". Metrograph. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  26. Welk, Brian (2024-05-29). "Metrograph Pictures Acquires Neo-Noir 'Gazer' Out of Cannes' Director's Fortnight". IndieWire . Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  27. Hazelton, John. "Directors' Fortnight thriller 'Gazer' scores North America deal". Screen Daily . Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  28. Keslassy, Elsa (2025-01-28). "Memento International Posts Deals on Cannes' Directors Fortnight Thriller 'Gazer' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2025-03-28.