Role Play

Last updated

Role Play
Role play film poster.jpg
Release poster
Directed by Thomas Vincent
Written bySeth Owen
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Maxime Alexandre
Edited byGareth C. Scales
Music by Rael Jones
Production
companies
Distributed by Amazon MGM Studios
Release date
  • January 12, 2024 (2024-01-12)
Running time
101 minutes [2]
Countries
  • United States
  • France
  • Germany [3]
LanguageEnglish

Role Play is a 2024 action comedy film directed by Thomas Vincent, written by Seth Owen, produced by Andrew Rona and Kaley Cuoco. The film stars Cuoco, David Oyelowo, Rudi Dharmalingam, Connie Nielsen, and Bill Nighy.

Contents

Role Play was released by Amazon MGM Studios via Prime Video on January 12, 2024.

Plot

The story revolves around Emma who leads a double life. To the outside world, she is a loving wife to Dave and a mother to two kids. However, she also secretly works as an assassin. Her frequent “business trips” create a rift in her family life, leading to missed anniversaries and strained attempts to maintain a connection with her loved ones.

In an effort to rekindle their relationship, Emma and Dave decide to engage in a role-playing game, meeting at a hotel as strangers. This game takes a dramatic turn when Emma’s two worlds collide, causing chaos and forcing her to flee to Europe. She must then fight to secure a normal and safe life for her family.

Cast

Production

In July 2020, it was announced that StudioCanal and The Picture Company had acquired Role Play, a thriller spec script written by Seth Owen, based on an original idea by George Heller, to be produced by Alex Heineman and Andrew Rona. [4] In July 2021, it was announced that Kaley Cuoco was in negotiations to star in the film, as well as produce alongside Heineman and Rona. [5] In October 2021, it was reported that Thomas Vincent would direct the film, and Cuoco's roles as actor and producer were also confirmed; [6] Cuoco would be producing though under her banner Yes, Norman Productions. [1]

In June 2022, it was announced that David Oyelowo was cast as Cuoco's character's husband, [7] and Billy Bob Thornton was cast as a "mysterious stranger who encounters the couple". [8] In July 2022, it was announced that Bill Nighy had replaced Thornton, who had to leave the film due to a scheduling conflict. [9] Connie Nielsen was also cast. [10]

Principal photography began in July 2022 at Babelsberg Studio in Berlin, Germany. [9]

Release

In June 2022, it was reported that Amazon Prime Video was in final negotiations to release the film in the United States and several international territories. [7] The sale was confirmed that same month. [8]

Role Play was released by the platform on January 12, 2024. [1]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 27% of 45 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.9/10. [11] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 38 out of 100, based on 11 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews. [12]

Dennis Harvey of Variety wrote: "Luckily, Role Play is handled lightly enough by Vincent's direction and Seth Owen's script that we never feel the need to take it very seriously. Which is fortunate, because otherwise we'd have to ponder why we’re rooting for an amorally ruthless hitwoman anyway". [3]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Tinoco, Armando (November 16, 2023). "'Role Play' Trailer: First Look At Kaley Cuoco & David Oyelowo In Prime Video's Comedic Spy Thriller". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Role Play (12)". BBFC . January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  3. 1 2 Harvey, Dennis (January 12, 2024). "Role Play Review: Kaley Cuoco Plays a Suburban Mom Moonlighting as a Global Assassin in Amazon's Diverting Lark". Variety . Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  4. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 14, 2020). "Studiocanal & The Picture Company Nab Seth Owen 'Role Play' Spec Script". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  5. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 6, 2021). "Kaley Cuoco In Talks To Star & Produce Studiocanal & Picture Company's High Concept Thriller 'Role Play'". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  6. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 29, 2021). "Kaley Cuoco Studiocanal & Picture Company Feature 'Role Play' Lands 'Bodyguard' Director Thomas Vincent". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  7. 1 2 D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 6, 2022). "David Oyelowo Joins Studiocanal & Picture Company's 'Role Play' Opposite Kaley Cuoco; Prime Video In Final Talks To Acquire". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  8. 1 2 D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 14, 2022). "Billy Bob Thornton Joins Amazon, Studiocanal & Picture Company's Kaley Cuoco Movie 'Role Play'". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  9. 1 2 D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 13, 2022). "Bill Nighy Boards Kaley Cuoco Thriller 'Role Play' From Studiocanal, Picture Company & Prime Video". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  10. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 14, 2022). "Kaley Cuoco Thriller 'Role Play' Adds Connie Nielsen". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Role Play". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved February 23, 2024. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  12. ↑ "Role Play". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
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