Krisha

Last updated

Krisha
Krisha poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Trey Edward Shults
Written byTrey Edward Shults
Based onKrisha
by Trey Edwards Shults
Produced by
  • Justin R. Chan
  • Chase Joliet
  • Trey Edward Shults
  • Wilson Smith
Starring
CinematographyDrew Daniels
Edited byTrey Edward Shults
Music byBrian McOmber
Distributed by A24
Release dates
  • March 16, 2015 (2015-03-16)(SXSW)
  • March 18, 2016 (2016-03-18)(United States)
Running time
81 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$30,000 [1]
Box office$144,822 [2]

Krisha is a 2015 American psychological drama film written, directed and edited by Trey Edward Shults in his feature-length directorial debut, starring his real-life aunt Krisha Fairchild, and is the feature-length adaption of the 2014 short film Krisha also directed by Shults.

Contents

It received the Grand Jury Award and Audience Award in the narrative feature competition at the 2015 South by Southwest Film Festival. [3] It was selected to compete in the Critics' Week section at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. [4] The film was released in a limited release on March 18, 2016, by A24. [5]

Plot

Krisha, a troubled woman in her sixties with a history of addiction, has been estranged from her family for many years; her son, Trey, was raised by her sister, Robyn, for large parts of his life. Krisha has recently told her relatives that she is now reformed and sober, and that she wants to visit on Thanksgiving Day and cook dinner for the whole extended family. All that is implied: the movie starts with Krisha arriving at her sister's large house, where many family members are gathered, and greets them all warmly.

Krisha attempts to reconcile with Trey, expressing a desire to be part of his life again. He is cold and defensive, refusing even to look at her; as she attempts to coax a reaction out of him, he resists and leaves.

As the day progresses, it becomes clear that the family has clashing opinions of Krisha. While some, like Robyn, believe Krisha has turned her life around, others, including her brother-in-law, Doyle, remain skeptical and deride her assurances that she is sober. On Thanksgiving morning, Krisha's elderly mother arrives and is introduced to the newer members of the family. Although she is forgetful, she remembers each of the family members by name; upon being greeted by Krisha, however, she becomes confused and seems unable to remember her clearly. Krisha is visibly upset by this.

As the day progresses and she sees her son's closeness to her sister's family, Krisha starts to secretly return to her bathroom to abuse alcohol, prescription drugs, and illegal drugs in an attempt to cope. When it is time to remove the roasted turkey from the oven, she is drunk and out-of-control. She spills the roasting tray and the perfectly roasted turkey lands heavily on the kitchen floor. Most of the family is horrified and tries to help Krisha up from the floor and salvage the meal. Doyle only looks on and laughs.

Krisha sobers up, watching home videos Robyn has of Trey as a child. Waking from a stupor, she rings her boyfriend and leaves him a furious voicemail, telling him that she relied on him for support and that he abandoned her when she needed him. She then goes downstairs to find the rest of the family enjoying a toned-down version of Thanksgiving dinner without her. Robyn refuses to allow her to join the table and takes her out of the room. Robyn laments the fact that Krisha lied about her sobriety, telling Krisha that she defended her when other members of the family didn't want to invite her at all. Later, after looking through Trey's room and finding a bottle of vodka, a distraught and increasingly unhinged Krisha interrupts dinner once again, demanding that Trey tell her he loves her. When Robyn asks her to leave and Trey disowns her, the argument escalates and becomes violent, with Krisha breaking silverware and attacking Robyn as she is removed from the house. The film ends with an abrupt shot of Krisha looking into the camera, trying and failing to hold back tears.

Cast

Production

Bill Wise, Krisha Fairchild and Trey Edward Shults Bill Wise, Krisha Fairchild & Trey Edward Shults (16839581612).jpg
Bill Wise, Krisha Fairchild and Trey Edward Shults

The film is based on a short film of the same name which also starred Fairchild in the titular role of Krisha. [6] Many of the film's cast are relatives of Shults, including Krisha Fairchild who is Shults' aunt, his mother and grandmother, and other actors being friends of Shults. [7] Bill Wise and Chris Doubek were the only non-relatives or friends cast in the film. [8] A Kickstarter.com campaign was created to fund the film. A $10,000 goal was set, which ended on July 20, 2014, with a total of $14,260 from 64 backers. [9]

Principal photography began on August 2, 2014, and concluded on August 10, 2014. [10] [11] The film was shot over the course of nine days, and was filmed at Shults' parents' house. [12]

Release

The film had its world premiere on March 16, 2015 at South by Southwest. [13] The film had its international premiere and went onto screen at the Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2015. [14] Shortly after, A24 acquired U.S distribution rights to the film. [15] The film also went onto screen at the London Film Festival on October 14, 2015. [16] and the AFI Fest on November 7, 2015. [17] The film was released in a limited release on March 18, 2016. [18] It also received a U.S. Blu-Ray release on A24's website.

Reception

Critical response

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 95% based on 79 reviews, with an average rating of 8.3/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Raw, bracingly honest, and refreshingly unconventional, Krisha wrings fresh -- and occasionally uncomfortable -- truths from a seemingly familiar premise." [19] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 86 out of 100, based on 31 critics, indicating "universal acclaim". [20]

Justin Chang of Variety gave the film a positive review, considering "its stylistic experimentation anchored by a subtly wounding performance from Krisha Fairchild in the eponymous lead role. More festival berths await, and while commercial prospects look decidedly modest, critical support should spur select arthouse bookings and discerning-viewer interest ahead of VOD play." [21] Sherri Linden of The Hollywood Reporter gave the film a positive review writing: "The story will eventually draw the viewer outside Krisha’s perspective, but the beauty of the film is that its compassion deepens along with its very real sense of horror — compassion not just for Krisha but for those who still love her or have given up on trying". [22]

Accolades

List of awards and nominations
Award / Film festivalCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef(s)
Austin Film Critics Association Best First FilmKrishaNominated [23] [24]
Cannes Film Festival The Nespresso Grand PrizeKrishaNominated [25]
Caméra d'Or Trey Edward Shults Nominated
Deauville Film Festival Grand PrixKrishaNominated
Prix de la CritiqueKrishaWon [26]
Detroit Film Critics Society Best BreakthroughTrey Edward ShultsNominated [27]
Gotham Awards Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award Trey Edward ShultsWon [28]
Houston Film Critics Society Texas Independent Film AwardKrishaNominated
Independent Spirit Awards John Cassavetes Award Trey Edward Shults, Justin R. Chan, Chase Joliet, and Wilson SmithWon [29]
Los Angeles Film Critics Association New Generation AwardTrey Edward Shults and Krisha Fairchild Won [30]
National Board of Review Top Ten Independent FilmsKrishaWon [31]
Best Directorial DebutTrey Edward ShultsWon
New York Film Critics Circle Best First Film Trey Edward ShultsWon [lower-alpha 1] [32]
Reykjavík International Film Festival FIPRESCI Prize Trey Edward ShultsWon [33]
South by Southwest Grand Jury Prize - Narrative FeatureTrey Edward ShultsWon [34] [35]
Audience Award - Narrative FeatureTrey Edward ShultsWon

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean Baker (filmmaker)</span> American director, producer and screenwriter (born 1971)

Sean Baker is an American filmmaker. He is best known for directing independent feature films about the lives of marginalized people, especially sex workers. His films include Take Out (2004), Starlet (2012), Tangerine (2015), The Florida Project (2017), Red Rocket (2021), and Anora (2024), the last of which won him the Palme d'Or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. He is also known for creating the Fox/IFC puppet sitcom Greg the Bunny (2002–2006) and its spin-offs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joanna Hogg</span> British film director and screenwriter (born 1960)

Joanna Hogg is a British film director and screenwriter. She made her directorial and screenwriting feature film debut in 2007 with Unrelated followed by Archipelago (2010), Exhibition (2013), The Souvenir (2019), The Souvenir Part II (2021), and The Eternal Daughter (2022). Two of her films topped the Sight & Sound annual poll for best film in their respective years, receiving nominations at the British Independent Film Awards, the Independent Spirit Awards and at the Berlin International Film Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taissa Farmiga</span> American actress (born 1994)

Taissa Farmiga is an American actress. Her numerous appearances in horror films have established her as a scream queen, alongside her older sister Vera Farmiga.

<i>Waves</i> (2019 film) 2019 American drama film

Waves is a 2019 American psychological drama film written, produced and directed by Trey Edward Shults. Along with Shults, it was produced by Kevin Turen and James Wilson. It stars Kelvin Harrison Jr., Taylor Russell, Lucas Hedges, Alexa Demie, Renée Elise Goldsberry, and Sterling K. Brown. It traces the emotional journey of a suburban American family as they navigate love, forgiveness and coming together in the wake of a tragic loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Lowery (director)</span> American filmmaker

David Lowery is an American filmmaker.

<i>Share</i> (2015 film) 2015 American film

Share is a 2015 American short drama film written and directed by Pippa Bianco, and starring Taissa Farmiga, Keir Gilchrist, Madisen Beaty, and Andre Royo. It follows a teenage girl (Farmiga) as she returns to school after an explicit video of her goes viral online.

<i>Amy</i> (2015 film) 2015 film

Amy is a 2015 British documentary film directed by Asif Kapadia and produced by James Gay-Rees. The film covers British singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse's life and her struggle with substance abuse, both before and after her career blossomed, and which eventually caused her death. In February 2015, a teaser trailer based on the life of Winehouse debuted at a pre-Grammys event. David Joseph, CEO of Universal Music UK, announced that the documentary titled Amy would be released later that year. He further stated: "About two years ago we decided to make a movie about her—her career and her life. It's a very complicated and tender movie. It tackles lots of things about family and media, fame, addiction, but most importantly, it captures the very heart of what she was about, which is an amazing person and a true musical genius."

<i>American Honey</i> (film) 2016 film by Andrea Arnold

American Honey is a 2016 road drama film written and directed by Andrea Arnold. The film stars Sasha Lane, Shia LaBeouf and Riley Keough. American Honey follows Star (Lane), a young girl from a troubled home, who runs away with a traveling sales crew who drive across the American Midwest selling magazine subscriptions door to door. Principal photography began in May 2015 with filming taking place in several states across America. It is Arnold's first film to be set and filmed outside the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trey Edward Shults</span> American actor

Trey Edward Shults is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. He is best known as the director and writer of the drama Krisha (2015), the psychological horror film It Comes at Night (2017), and the drama Waves (2019).

<i>The Killing of a Sacred Deer</i> 2017 film by Yorgos Lanthimos

The Killing Of A Sacred Deer is a 2017 absurdist psychological horror thriller film directed and co-produced by Yorgos Lanthimos, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Efthimis Filippou. It stars Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Barry Keoghan, Raffey Cassidy, Sunny Suljic, Alicia Silverstone, and Bill Camp. It follows a cardiac surgeon who introduces his family to a teenage boy with a connection to his past, after which they mysteriously begin to fall ill.

<i>It Comes at Night</i> 2017 film by Trey Edward Shults

It Comes at Night is a 2017 American psychological horror film written and directed by Trey Edward Shults. It stars Joel Edgerton, Christopher Abbott, Carmen Ejogo, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and Riley Keough. The film focuses on a family hiding in a forest as the Earth is taken over by a highly contagious disease.

The 88th National Board of Review Awards, honoring the best in film for 2016, were announced on November 29, 2016.

The 82nd New York Film Critics Circle Awards, honoring the best in film for 2016, were announced on December 1, 2016 and presented on January 3, 2017.

The 42nd Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards, given by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA), honored the best in film for 2016.

Krisha Fairchild is an American actress, best known for starring in her nephew Trey Edward Shults' critically acclaimed film Krisha (2015). She is also known for her role as Louise Lispector in Syfy's horror anthology series Channel Zero: Butcher's Block.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelvin Harrison Jr.</span> American actor (born 1994)

Kelvin Harrison Jr. is an American actor. He is the recipient of such accolades as a Screen Actors Guild Award and nominations for a British Academy Film Award, Gotham Award, an Independent Spirit Award.

<i>Share</i> (2019 film) 2019 American film

Share is a 2019 coming-of-age drama film, written and directed by Pippa Bianco, based upon Bianco's short film of the same name. It stars Rhianne Barreto, Charlie Plummer, Poorna Jagannathan, J. C. Mackenzie, Nicholas Galitzine, and Lovie Simone.

Charlotte Wells is a Scottish director, writer, and producer. She is known for her feature film debut Aftersun (2022), which premiered in 2022 during Critics' Week at Cannes Film Festival, receiving 121 nominations and 33 awards, including Gotham and British Independent Film Awards. Wells has worked on numerous other films, such as Blue Christmas (2017), and her films have screened at festivals worldwide.

Celine Held is an American and British film director, writer, and actress. Her debut feature film Topside, co-directed with her partner Logan George, premiered at the 77th Venice International Film Festival. Her short film Caroline that she co-wrote, co-directed and starred in, was nominated for the Short Film Palme d'Or at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. Her additional short film work has premiered at Sundance Film Festival and at South by Southwest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renate Reinsve</span> Norwegian actress (born 1987)

Renate Reinsve is a Norwegian actress. She made her film debut in Oslo, August 31st (2011). In 2021, she had her breakout role in the critically acclaimed drama The Worst Person in the World (2021), with her performance earning her the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress and a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She has since starred in the American series Presumed Innocent and film A Different Man.

References

  1. ↑ "Horror thriller 'It Comes at Night' stems from personal tale". Reuters . June 6, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Krisha". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  3. ↑ "SXSW 2015 Film Award Winners". SXSW. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Selection of the 54th Critics' Week". Semaine de la Critique. Archived from the original on April 25, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Krisha". Apple Trailers. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  6. ↑ Lattanzio, Ryan (May 5, 2015). "Cannes First Look: 'Krisha' Is 'A Woman Under the Influence'-Level Portrait of Delusion". Indiewire.com. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Krisha Press Kit" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 8, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Krisha Press Kit" (PDF). Retrieved November 29, 2015.[ permanent dead link ]
  9. ↑ "Krisha-A Feature Film". Kickstarter.com . Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Dear Kickstarter supporters, you helped make this possible! Thank you! #FormalCookeware #KRISHA". Instagram.com. August 2, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Day 10 Picture Wrap 🎬👏👏👏 Thank you to all the cast and crew for your patience and love. #KRISHA #krishamovie". Instagram.com. August 11, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  12. ↑ Lattanzio, Ryan (May 5, 2015). "Cannes First Look: 'Krisha' Is 'A Woman Under the Influence'-Level Portrait of Delusion". Indiewire.com. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Krisha". SXSW.COM. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  14. ↑ Zeitchik, Steven (May 22, 2015). "KRISHA FAIRCHILD IS A BREAKOUT STAR - AT AGE 64". New York Times. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  15. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 18, 2015). "A24 Makes Two-Pic Deal With 'Krisha' Helmer Trey Edward Shults". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Krisha". BFI.org. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Krisha". AFI.COM. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  18. ↑ "Krisha". Apple Trailers. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Krisha (2016)". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved June 5, 2017.
  20. ↑ "Krisha". Metacritic . Retrieved June 5, 2017.
  21. ↑ Chang, Justin (March 19, 2015). "SXSW Film Review: 'Krisha'". Variety . Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  22. ↑ Linden, Sherri (April 3, 2015). "'Krisha': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  23. ↑ Anderson, Erik (December 15, 2016). "Austin Film Critics Association (AFCA) Nominations: The Handmaiden Lands Top Mentions, Trevante Rhodes Double Nominated". AwardsWatch.com. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  24. ↑ Miller, Neil (December 15, 2016). "2016 Austin Film Critics Awards Nominees, 'Moonlight' and 'Arrival' lead the way in AFCA's 2016 nominations". Medium.com. Archived from the original on June 22, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Selection of the 54th Critics' Week". Semaine de la Critique. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  26. ↑ "41st Deauville American Film Festival Winners". Deauville Festival du Cinema Americain. Archived from the original on February 4, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  27. ↑ Graham, Adam (December 14, 2016). "Local critics: 'Moonlight', 'Manchester' best of 2016". The Detroit News . Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  28. ↑ Cox, Gordon (October 20, 2016). "Gotham Awards Nominations 2016: 'Manchester By The Sea' Leads with Four". Variety . Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  29. ↑ "2016 Film Independent Spirit Awards Winners Announced". Film Independent. Archived from the original on March 2, 2016. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  30. ↑ "42nd Annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards". Los Angeles Film Critics Association. Archived from the original on March 5, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  31. ↑ "NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW ANNOUNCES 2016 AWARD WINNERS". National Board of Review . November 29, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  32. ↑ "New York Film Critics Circle Awards 2016". New York Film Critics Circle . Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  33. ↑ "Award winners at RIFF 2015!". Reykjavík International Film Festival. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  34. ↑ Chang, Justin (March 17, 2015). "SXSW: 'Krisha,' 'Peace Officer' Win Grand Jury Prizes". Variety . Retrieved March 18, 2016.
  35. ↑ Lincoln, Ross A (March 21, 2015). "SXSW 2015 Audience Awards: 'Krisha', 'Peace Officer' Win Again". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 18, 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.