Love Lies Bleeding (2024 film)

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Love Lies Bleeding
Love lies bleeding poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Rose Glass
Written by
  • Rose Glass
  • Weronika Tofilska
Produced by
  • Andrea Cornwell
  • Oliver Kassman
Starring
CinematographyBen Fordesman
Edited byMark Towns
Music by Clint Mansell
Production
companies
Distributed by
  • A24 (United States)
  • Lionsgate (United Kingdom)
Release dates
  • January 20, 2024 (2024-01-20)(Sundance)
  • March 8, 2024 (2024-03-08)(United States)
  • May 3, 2024 (2024-05-03)(United Kingdom)
Running time
104 minutes [4]
Countries
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$12.5 million [5] [6]

Love Lies Bleeding is a 2024 romantic thriller film directed by Rose Glass from a screenplay she co-wrote with Weronika Tofilska, and starring Kristen Stewart, Katy O'Brian, Jena Malone, Anna Baryshnikov, Dave Franco, and Ed Harris. It is an international co-production between the United Kingdom and the United States. Set in 1989, the film's plot follows the lesbian relationship between a reclusive gym manager, who is part of a crime family, and an ambitious bodybuilder who gets wrapped up in organized crime.

Contents

Love Lies Bleeding premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2024. It was released theatrically in the United States by A24 on March 8, 2024, and in the United Kingdom by Lionsgate UK on May 3, 2024. The film received positive reviews from critics.

Plot

In a rural New Mexican town in 1989, reclusive gym manager Lou manages relationships with her sister Beth, Beth's husband JJ, and flirtatious friend Daisy. One night while at the gym, Lou is approached by FBI agents in search of information about Lou’s estranged father, Lou Sr., and his criminal ties. Shortly after, Lou meets Jackie, a bisexual bodybuilder staying in town while preparing for a competition in Las Vegas. Lou offers Jackie steroids to enhance her training and though she initially refuses, Jackie agrees. After a night of lovemaking, Jackie and Lou move in together. They fall in love over the following weeks as Jackie uses increasingly high doses of steroids during her training.

Jackie and Lou attend an awkward dinner with JJ and Beth, during which Lou threatens JJ over his abusive behavior towards Beth. In retaliation, JJ reveals he and Jackie had sex during her first night in town in exchange for a waitressing position at Lou Sr.’s gun range. Disgusted and angry, Lou tells Jackie that she wants to kill JJ because of his abuse of Beth, who is the only reason Lou hasn’t left town.

The next day, Beth is hospitalized due to severe abuse inflicted by JJ. At the bedside, Lou Sr. promises to protect Beth and deal with JJ. Unable to contain her rage due to steroid use, Jackie secretly breaks into Beth and JJ's home and brutally beats the latter to death. Lou discovers JJ's body, and fearing Jackie will be arrested, plots to frame her father for the murder. With Jackie's help, Lou drives JJ's car and body into a ravine revealed to be a disposal site for the bodies of Lou Sr.'s various criminal enemies. The pair light the car on fire, creating a massive smoke plume that successfully attracts authorities to the site the following morning.

The next day, Lou returns to JJ and Beth's home to clean up evidence of the murder while Jackie continues her steroid use, growing more agitated. After an argument, Jackie leaves Lou and hitchhikes to Las Vegas for the bodybuilding competition. During her individual routine, Jackie hallucinates vomiting up a fully grown Lou before assaulting another contestant, leading to her arrest.

Meanwhile, armed with knowledge of Lou and Jackie's involvement with JJ's murder after spotting the duo driving to the ravine the night before, Daisy blackmails Lou into a relationship. After Daisy intercepts her phone call to Lou, Jackie contacts Lou Sr. to bail her out of jail. After doing so, Lou Sr. coerces Jackie to kill Daisy, the sole witness to the murder. After shooting Daisy at Lou's apartment, Jackie returns to Lou Sr., only to be knocked unconscious. Lou Sr. calls Lou and tells her that he has arranged for Jackie to take the rap for the deaths of JJ and Daisy, but Lou, who has helped her father kill in the past, announces her intention to cooperate with the FBI investigation if he sets Jackie up.

Lou Sr. sends a police officer on his payroll to kill Lou, but she overpowers him before driving to her father's home to rescue Jackie. At Lou Sr.'s manor Beth, who has learned about her involvement with JJ's death, denounces Lou to her face. Lou finds and frees Jackie, but as they try to escape, Lou Sr. shoots Lou in the leg. Jackie, having grown to a gigantic size due to the steroid use, pins down Lou Sr. Lou considers killing him but decides to leave him for the police.

Lou and Jackie drive off. The next morning Lou realizes that Daisy is still alive in the truck bed despite her near-fatal wound. She strangles Daisy and dumps her body in a nearby field while Jackie sleeps.

Cast

Production

Love Lies Bleeding is a co-production between A24 and Film4. It is the second film to be directed by English filmmaker Rose Glass. Kristen Stewart first mentioned her involvement in the film in March 2022, as she was a fan of Glass' previous work, Saint Maud (2019); [9] her casting was confirmed in April. [1] Anna Baryshnikov, Katy O'Brian, Dave Franco, Ed Harris, and Jena Malone joined the cast in June. [2] [3] O'Brian said in an interview that she had to audition for the part, her first leading role, six times. [10]

Principal photography began in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in June 2022. [11] Production concluded by August 2022. [12]

Release

Love Lies Bleeding had its world premiere in the Midnight section at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2024, [13] [8] followed by its European premiere on February 18 at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival in the Berlinale Special Gala section. [14] The UK premiere was held at the Glasgow Film Festival on February 28. [15]

The film was released on five screens in New York City and Los Angeles by A24 on March 8, 2024, before expanding wide on March 15. [16] Lionsgate UK acquired the British distribution rights to the film in November 2023 [17] and it was released theatrically in the United Kingdom on May 3, 2024. [18]

Reception

Box office

Love Lies Bleeding has grossed $8.3 million in the United States and Canada and $4.2 million in other territories.

In its opening weekend, the film made $276,618 from five theaters, a per-venue average of $55,324. [19] Expanding to 1,362 theaters the following weekend, the film made $2.5 million, finishing sixth at the box office. [20]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 94% of 261 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.8/10.The website's consensus reads: "Lust and violence collide to powerfully pulpy effect in Love Lies Bleeding, a well-acted addition to writer-director Rose Glass' growing body of exceptional work." [21] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 77 out of 100, based on 53 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. [22] Audiences polled by PostTrak gave the film a 78% overall positive score with an average 3.5 out of 5 stars. [20]

Manohla Dargis of The New York Times wrote that the film, likely influenced by the works of James M. Cain, Jim Thompson, David Lynch, and the Coen Brothers, "For the most part... manages to transcend its influences enough to remain engaging; sometimes it does something even more interesting with its reference points... Glass borrows liberally but not mindlessly." [23] Saffron Maeve, for the Toronto Star, gave the film 3.5 stars out of 4, writing that "Love Lies Bleeding becomes increasingly convoluted [...] But this narrative estrangement is grounded in intention". [24]

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
Astra Midseason Movie Awards July 3, 2024 Best PictureLove Lies BleedingNominated [25]
[26]
Best Actress Kristen Stewart Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Katy O'Brian Won
Best IndieLove Lies BleedingWon
Golden Trailer Awards May 30, 2024Best Thriller"Threat" (AV Squad)Nominated [27]

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References

  1. 1 2 Kit, Borys (April 13, 2022). "Kristen Stewart to Star in Romantic Thriller Love Lies Bleeding for A24 (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  2. 1 2 Grobar, Matt (June 16, 2022). "Dickinson's Anna Baryshnikov Joins Kristen Stewart In A24's Romantic Thriller Love Lies Bleeding From Director Rose Glass". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Kroll, Justin (June 28, 2022). "Dave Franco, Katy O'Brian, Ed Harris And Jena Malone Join Kristen Stewart In Love Lies Bleeding For A24". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on March 3, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Love Lies Bleeding (15)". BBFC. February 16, 2024. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Love Lies Bleeding (2024)". The Numbers . Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Love Lies Bleeding (2024)". Box Office Mojo . Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  7. ↑ Vary, Adam B. (January 11, 2024). "How Kristen Stewart Became a Queer Trailblazer". Variety . Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  8. 1 2 "Love Lies Bleeding". Sundance Institute . Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  9. ↑ Monagle, Matthew (March 12, 2022). "Kristen Stewart's Working With Saint Maud Director Rose Glass On Love Lies Bleeding". The Playlist. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  10. ↑ Katy O'Brian Had to Audition Six Times for Role Opposite Kristen Stewart in A24's Love Lies Bleeding. A Trip to the Movies with Alex Zane. July 12, 2023. Archived from the original on October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023– via YouTube.
  11. ↑ Curran, Sarah (June 29, 2022). "Kristen Stewart Rocks A Mullet On Set Of 'Love Lies Bleeding'". Entertainment Tonight Canada . Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  12. ↑ "New Mexico Film Office Announces Love Lies Bleeding Filmed in New Mexico" (PDF). New Mexico Film. August 15, 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 17, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  13. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Patten, Dominic (December 6, 2023). "Sundance Unveils Packed 2024 Lineup That Includes A.I., Pedro Pascal, Kristen Stewart, Satan, Devo & Steven Yeun". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  14. ↑ Ntim, Zac (January 15, 2024). "Berlin: Martin Scorsese-Narrated Doc & Kristen Stewart Romantic Thriller Set For Festival Debuts". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on March 3, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Kristen Stewart Queer Noir 'Love Lies Bleeding' to Open Glasgow Film Festival". Variety . January 23, 2024. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  16. ↑ Goldsmith, Jill (March 8, 2024). "Thriller Love Lives Bleeding With Kristen Stewart, Glitter & Doom Romance With Indigo Girls Soundtrack, Open In Limited Release – Specialty Preview". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on March 9, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  17. ↑ Tabbara, Mona (November 1, 2023). "Lionsgate UK acquires Rose Glass thriller 'Love Lies Bleeding' starring Kristen Stewart (exclusive)". Screen Daily . Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  18. ↑ Travis, Ben (February 13, 2024). "Love Lies Bleeding Takes The 'Strong Female Character' Trope Literally: 'There's Something Punk About A Really Muscular Woman' – Exclusive Image". Empire . Archived from the original on March 6, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  19. ↑ Goldsmith, Jill (March 10, 2024). "China's 'Yolo' Busts Out Oscar Weekend, With 'Love Lies Bleeding'; 'The Taste of Things' At $2.7M – Specialty Box Office". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on March 10, 2024. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  20. 1 2 D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 17, 2024). "'Kung Fu Panda 4' Second Weekend At $31M+ Expected To Karate Chop Sandworm — Saturday AM Update". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on March 16, 2024. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Love Lies Bleeding". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved August 5, 2024. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  22. ↑ "Love Lies Bleeding". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  23. ↑ Dargis, Manohla (March 7, 2024). "'Love Lies Bleeding' Review: Kristen Stewart, Crazy (and Scary) in Love". The New York Times . Archived from the original on March 20, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  24. ↑ Star, Saffron Maeve Special to the (March 25, 2024). "Sex, steroids and Kristen Stewart — the much-hyped 'Love Lies Bleeding' is a sinister pulpy thriller". Toronto Star . Archived from the original on April 7, 2024. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  25. ↑ "Hollywood Creative Alliance Announces the Nominees for the 2024 Astra Midseason Movie Awards" (Press release). Hollywood Creative Alliance. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  26. ↑ "Hollywood Creative Alliance Announces the Winners for the 2024 Astra Midseason Movie Awards" (Press release). Hollywood Creative Alliance. July 3, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.[ permanent dead link ]
  27. ↑ "The GTA24 Nominees" (PDF). Golden Trailer Awards . Retrieved July 8, 2024.
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