Queen of Earth

Last updated
Queen of Earth
Queen of Earth Poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Alex Ross Perry
Written by
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Sean Price Williams
Edited byRobert Greene
Peter Levin
Music by Keegan DeWitt
Production
company
Distributed by IFC Films
Release dates
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$91,218 [1]

Queen of Earth is a 2015 American psychological thriller film written, co-produced and directed by Alex Ross Perry. The film stars Elisabeth Moss, Katherine Waterston and Patrick Fugit.

Contents

Plot

Catherine is in the midst of a breakup with her boyfriend, James, who is leaving her for another woman. Catherine's father, a renowned artist, has recently died by suicide after a history of depression. Knowing of Catherine's grief, her lifelong friend Virginia invites her to spend a week at her parents' cabin. The visit is intercut with scenes of Catherine's stay the previous year, when Virginia had been the one needing emotional support, and was disappointed when Catherine brought along James, whom Virginia hated, and drew focus away from their friendship.

Catherine is upset when Virginia invites Rich, a neighbor, to join them at the cabin. Virginia criticizes Catherine for having had unhealthy and codependent relationships with James and her father, and for choosing to live as her father's administrative support instead of attempting her own artistic career. Catherine derides Virginia for her aimless, unemployed lifestyle. Despite their arguments, Virginia assures Catherine that she truly cares about her and wants to see her heal. Catherine begins drawing a portrait of Virginia as the two spend their evenings discussing their personal relationships.

Catherine's mental health gradually deteriorates during her stay. She has a strange encounter with a neighbor who warns her that Virginia's parents are bad people; she has difficulty sleeping and eating, and is increasingly paranoid over Rich's presence, believing he is driving a wedge between her and Virginia. As Virginia becomes concerned over Catherine's well-being, Catherine worries that they think she is crazy. After Catherine has a disturbed reaction to Rich's observation that she had been talking to herself the night before, Virginia remarks that she is finally seeing Catherine for the first time: she had initially thought Catherine was perfect, but now realizes that she surrounded herself with men to protect her weak and fragile sense of self. Catherine muses that she feels she no longer exists, and that the only two people who cared about her are gone. Virginia insists that she also cares about Catherine, which Catherine casually denies.

After Virginia and Rich take Catherine out on a canoe ride, Virginia listens in as Catherine describes the event to someone on the phone, which is disconnected. She assumes Catherine is speaking with James, but it is left ambiguous as to whether an unstable Catherine is envisioning herself conversing with her late father. That night, Virginia throws a party for some neighbors, and Catherine imagines increasingly hostile interactions with the guests, including a confrontation over her father's embezzlement, ending with her screaming as all of the guests grab at her. After coming to her senses, she flees. She begins to lose awareness of time and her surroundings, and after a dinner where Rich mocks her mental struggles and callously suggests she use her recent grief to promote a new art career, she calmly and witheringly insults him, blaming him for being an embodiment of all the worst things in the world.

The next morning, Catherine confronts Rich and blames him for getting in the way of what should have been her week with Virginia, but he remains unsympathetic, saying he hates her because he considers her a spoiled brat. Catherine ineffectually attempts to strangle him, then suffers a nervous breakdown, leading a stunned Virginia to realize that Catherine's issues are greater than her own the previous year, and she is far beyond her help. As Catherine leaves the cabin to return home, Virginia remembers the previous year when Catherine had apologized to her for not being a better friend, and they jokingly promise that next year, Catherine can be the one needing help and Virginia can disappoint her. A guilt-ridden Virginia later discovers Catherine's finished portrait, leading her to break down in sobs as Catherine laughs manically elsewhere.

Cast

Production

On July 30, 2014, it was announced that Alex Ross Perry would direct the psychological thriller film which he wrote about two women at a beach house, in which Elisabeth Moss would star as lead, while Joe Swanberg would be producer. [2] On August 21, Michelle Dockery joined the film to star as lead opposite Moss. [3] On September 17, Katherine Waterston was added to the cast to replace Dockery for her role, which Dockery exited due to scheduling conflicts. [4] On September 18, Patrick Fugit was cast to play a friend of one of the women in the film, who also comes to the beach to spend time with her. [5] Perry would also produce the film along with Swanberg and Adam Piotrowicz. [5]

Filming

Filming was underway in Carmel, New York on September 17, 2014. [4] [5] [6] [7]

Music

The score was composed by Keegan DeWitt and was released by Waxwork Records on vinyl in 2018. The LP included liner notes by Moss, Perry, and DeWitt. [8]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 7, 2015. [9] Shortly after, it was announced IFC Films had acquired distribution rights to the film. [10] The film was released on August 26, 2015, in a limited release and through video on demand. [11]

Reception

As of June 2020, the film holds a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 81 reviews with an average rating of 7.49/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "Led by a searing performance from Elisabeth Moss, Queen of Earth is a demanding – and ultimately rewarding – addition to writer-director Alex Ross Perry's impressive filmography." [12] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 77 out of 100, based on 23 critics, indicating "generally positive reviews". [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jane Campion</span> New Zealand film director, screenwriter and producer

Dame Elizabeth Jane Campion is a New Zealand filmmaker. She is best known for writing and directing the critically acclaimed films The Piano (1993) and The Power of the Dog (2021), for which she has received two Academy Awards, two BAFTA Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. Campion was appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DNZM) in the 2016 New Year Honours, for services to film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catherine Tate</span> British actress, comedian and writer (born 1969)

Catherine Jane Ford, known professionally as Catherine Tate, is a British actress, comedian and writer. She has won numerous awards for her work on the BBC sketch comedy series The Catherine Tate Show (2004–2007), as well as being nominated for an International Emmy Award and seven BAFTAs. Tate played Donna Noble in the 2006 Christmas special of Doctor Who, and later reprised her role for the fourth series in 2008, and the 60th anniversary episodes in 2023.

<i>The Heidi Chronicles</i> 1988 play by Wendy Wasserstein

The Heidi Chronicles is a 1988 play by Wendy Wasserstein. The play won the 1989 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Trent Ford is an American-born English actor and model.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elisabeth Moss</span> American actress (born 1982)

Elisabeth Singleton Moss is a British-American actor and producer. She is known for her work in several television dramas, garnering many accolades, including two Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards, which led Vulture to name her the "Queen of Peak TV".

<i>The Attic</i> (2007 film) 2007 American film

The Attic is a 2007 American horror film directed by Mary Lambert and starring Elisabeth Moss, Jason Lewis, Tom Malloy, and Catherine Mary Stewart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michelle Dockery</span> English actress (born 1981)

Michelle Suzanne Dockery is an English actress. She is best known for starring as Lady Mary Crawley in the ITV television period drama series Downton Abbey (2010–2015), for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and three consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. She reprised her role in the films Downton Abbey (2019) and Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keegan DeWitt</span> American musician

Keegan DeWitt is an American film composer, singer-songwriter, and actor. He was raised in Oregon and now resides in Los Angeles. He is the lead singer of the indie rock band Wild Cub, as well as a composer for film scores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Ross Perry</span> American filmmaker and actor

Alex Ross Perry is an American filmmaker and actor. Prolific in independent film, he is best known for writing and directing Listen Up Philip (2014) and Her Smell (2018).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katherine Waterston</span> British-born American actress (born 1980)

Katherine Boyer Waterston is a British-American actress. She made her feature film debut in Michael Clayton (2007). She had supporting roles in films including Robot & Frank,Being Flynn and The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby (2013), before her breakthrough performance in Inherent Vice (2014). She portrayed Chrisann Brennan in Steve Jobs (2015), and went on to star as Tina Goldstein in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) and its sequels. Her other film roles were in Alien: Covenant (2017), Logan Lucky (2017), The Current War (2017), Mid90s (2018) and The World to Come (2020).

<i>Earth to Echo</i> 2014 film directed by Dave Green

Earth to Echo is a 2014 American science fiction film directed by Dave Green, and produced by Ryan Kavanaugh and Andrew Panay. Based on a screenplay by Henry Gayden, the film stars Teo Halm, Brian "Astro" Bradley, Reese C. Hartwig and Ella Wahlestedt as four neighborhood friends who find a robotic, telekinetic alien in the desert, and are soon hunted by dangerous forces who seek to take the alien, who the kids name "Echo", for themselves. The film is shot in a found footage style from many perspectives, including through a handheld camera, smartphone cameras, and the robot's eyes.

<i>Listen Up Philip</i> 2014 film by Alex Ross Perry

Listen Up Philip is a 2014 comedy-drama film written and directed by Alex Ross Perry. The film had its world premiere at 2014 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2014, and won the Special Jury Prize at the 2014 Locarno International Film Festival.

Josephine Decker is an English–born American filmmaker. Films she has directed include Butter on the Latch (2013), Thou Wast Mild and Lovely (2014), Madeline's Madeline (2018), Shirley (2020), and The Sky is Everywhere (2022). She also co-directed the documentary Bi the Way (2008) with Brittany Blockman.

Sean Price Williams is an American cinematographer and film director. Williams is known for his work as a cinematographer frequently collaborating with Alex Ross Perry and the Safdie Brothers. He made his directorial feature film debut with The Sweet East (2023).

<i>The Sense of an Ending</i> (film) 2017 film by Ritesh Batra

The Sense of an Ending is a 2017 mystery drama film directed by Ritesh Batra and written by Nick Payne, based on the 2011 novel of the same name by Julian Barnes. The film stars Jim Broadbent, Charlotte Rampling, Harriet Walter, Billy Howle, Emily Mortimer and Michelle Dockery.

<i>The Babysitter</i> (2017 film) Teen horror-comedy film by McG

The Babysitter is a 2017 American teen black comedy slasher film directed by McG and written by Brian Duffield. It stars Samara Weaving, Judah Lewis, Hana Mae Lee, Robbie Amell and Bella Thorne. The film follows a lonely 12-year-old boy (Lewis) who discovers that his babysitter (Weaving) is part of a satanic cult that wants to kill him. The film was released by Netflix on October 13, 2017, and received mostly positive reviews from critics. A sequel, The Babysitter: Killer Queen, was released on September 10, 2020.

Ana Cristina Coto is an American actress, best known for playing the lead role of Sarah Morris in the film Ouija.

<i>Almost Christmas</i> (film) 2016 film by David E. Talbert

Almost Christmas is a 2016 American Christmas comedy-drama film written and directed by David E. Talbert and starring Kimberly Elise, Mo'Nique, Nicole Ari Parker, Gabrielle Union, Keri Hilson, Jessie Usher, Danny Glover, Omar Epps, John Michael Higgins, D. C. Young Fly, and Romany Malco. The film follows a dysfunctional family that comes together for the holidays for the first time since their mother's death.

Gayle Rankin is a Scottish actress. She is known for her role as Sheila in the Netflix series GLOW (2017–2019). She also played Emily Dodson in the HBO series Perry Mason (2020). Her films include The Greatest Showman (2017), Her Smell (2018), Blow the Man Down and The Climb.

<i>Her Smell</i> 2018 film directed by Alex Ross Perry

Her Smell is a 2018 American drama film written, co-produced and directed by Alex Ross Perry. It stars Elisabeth Moss, Cara Delevingne, Dan Stevens, Agyness Deyn, Gayle Rankin, Ashley Benson, Dylan Gelula, Eka Darville and Lindsay Burdge and follows Moss as fictional rock star Becky Something, whose band experiences brief fame but is broken up by her self-destructive behavior.

References

  1. ↑ "Queen of Earth (2015)". Box Office Mojo . Internet Movie Database. October 1, 2015. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  2. ↑ Ford, Rebecca; Kit, Borys (July 30, 2014). "Elisabeth Moss Reteaming With 'Listen Up Philip' Director for 'Queen of Earth'". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
  3. ↑ Ford, Rebecca (August 21, 2014). "Michelle Dockery Joins Elisabeth Moss in 'Queen of Earth'". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
  4. 1 2 Ford, Rebecca (September 17, 2014). "'Inherent Vice' Actress Joins Indie 'Queen of Earth'". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 Ford, Rebecca; Kit, Borys (September 18, 2014). "Patrick Fugit Joins Indie 'Queen of Earth'". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
  6. ↑ Zeitchik, Steven. "Elisabeth Moss and Alex Ross Perry listen up to some common notes". Los Angeles Times. October 16, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2019. "They poured it into "Philip" and the film they were shooting last month, a psychological drama titled "Queen of Earth," in the Putnam County town of Carmel."
  7. ↑ Irie, Devon. "The Impulse of Alex Ross Perry". Interview. August 25, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2019. "IVIE: Where did you film? The location around the lake house is beautiful. PERRY: It’s in a town called Carmel, New York, about two hours north of the city. It’s quite close to Poughkeepsie."
  8. ↑ Thiessen, Brock (2 March 2018). "Waxwork Brings the Soundtrack to Alex Ross Perry and Elisabeth Moss's 'Queen of Earth' to Vinyl". Exclaim!. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  9. ↑ "Queen of Earth". www.berlinale.de.
  10. ↑ "Elisabeth Moss Thriller 'Queen of Earth' Acquired by IFC Films". April 14, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Get Your Elisabeth Moss Fix With the Trailer (and Exclusive Poster) for Queen of Earth". Vulture. 24 July 2015.
  12. ↑ "Queen of Earth (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Queen of Earth Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved February 15, 2018.
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.