The Shrouds

Last updated
The Shrouds
Les Linceuls 2024 film poster.jpg
Promotional release poster
Directed by David Cronenberg
Written byDavid Cronenberg
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Douglas Koch
Edited by Christopher Donaldson
Music by Howard Shore
Production
companies
Distributed by
  • Pyramide Distribution (France)
  • Sphere Films (Canada)
Release dates
  • May 20, 2024 (2024-05-20)(Cannes)
  • January 22, 2025 (2025-01-22)(France)
Running time
119 minutes [1]
Countries
  • France
  • Canada
LanguageEnglish [2]

The Shrouds (French : Les Linceuls) is a 2024 arthouse horror film written and directed by David Cronenberg, and starring Diane Kruger, Vincent Cassel, and Guy Pearce. The film is a co-production between Canada and France.

Contents

The Shrouds had its world premiere in Main Competition section of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival on 20 May 2024. The film is scheduled to be released theatrically in France by Pyramide Distribution on 22 January 2025.

Premise

Karsh, 50, is a prominent businessman. Inconsolable since the death of his wife, he invents GraveTech, revolutionary and controversial technology that enables the living to monitor their dear departed's corpses as they decay in their shrouds. One night, multiple graves, including that of Karsh’s wife, are desecrated. Karsh sets out to track down the perpetrators. [3]

Cast

Production

The concept was originally envisaged as a television series for Netflix, with Cronenberg writing two episodes before the plans were cancelled by Netflix. [4]

Saïd Ben Saïd and Martin Katz produced the film for Prospero Pictures and SBS International alongside co-producer Steve Solomos. The cinematographer Douglas Koch worked alongside art director Jason Clarke and production designer Carol Spier. [5]

In an interview, Cronenberg described the film as very "personal" and "autobiographical". [6] [7] It is directly inspired by his own grief at the loss of his wife, Carolyn, who died in 2017. [8]

Casting

The project was first announced in May 2022, with Vincent Cassel attached to play the lead role. [9] In September 2022, Léa Seydoux joined the cast. [10] In April 2023, Diane Kruger replaced Seydoux, and Guy Pearce joined the cast. [11] That month, Sandrine Holt also joined the cast. [12]

Filming

Principal photography began on May 8, 2023, in Toronto, Canada, [13] and wrapped on June 19, 2023. [14]

Release

The film was screened in Main Competition section at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on 20 May 2024. [15] [16] [17]

The film was originally set to be released theatrically in France by Pyramide Distribution on 29 January 2025, but the release date was pushed forward to 22 January 2025. [18]

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 62% of 29 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.3/10. [2] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 57 out of 100, based on 17 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews. [1]

Accolades

List of awards and nominations for The Shrouds
Award or film festivalDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
Cannes Film Festival 25 May 2024 Palme d'Or David Cronenberg Nominated [19]

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References

  1. 1 2 "The Shrouds". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  2. 1 2 "The Shrouds". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved 1 June 2024. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  3. "THE SHROUDS". Festival de Cannes. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  4. Bergeson, Samantha (February 17, 2023). "Vincent Cassel Had 'No Idea How to Play' His Character in New David Cronenberg Film". Indiewire . Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  5. Hodges, Jake (July 10, 2023). "David Cronenberg's 'The Shrouds': Cast, Plot, and Everything We Know So Far". Collider . Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  6. Ntim, Zac (September 21, 2022). "David Cronenberg Talks "Autobiographical" Next Project And Shooting 'Crimes Of The Future' Scenes On An IPhone – San Sebastian". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  7. Bałaga, Marta (October 3, 2023). "Diane Kruger Looks Back on 'Circus' of 'Troy,' 'Incredibly Kind' Brad Pitt, Teases Cronenberg's 'The Shrouds': 'It Might Be His Most Personal Film'". Variety . Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  8. Lang, Brent (May 17, 2024). "How the Death of David Cronenberg's Wife of 43 Years Inspired 'The Shrouds': 'Grief Is Forever'". Variety . Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  9. Lang, Brent; Keslassy, Elsa (May 11, 2022). "Vincent Cassel Starring in David Cronenberg's 'The Shrouds,' FilmNation and CAA Launching Sales in Cannes (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  10. Tabbara, Mona (September 21, 2022). "Lea Seydoux to join cast of David Cronenberg's 'The Shrouds'". Screen International . Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  11. Katz, David (3 April 2023). "David Cronenberg taps Vincent Cassel and Diane Kruger for The Shrouds". Cineuropa . Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  12. D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 18, 2023). "David Cronenberg's 'The Shrouds' Adds Sandrine Holt". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  13. Wiseman, Andreas (March 30, 2023). "David Cronenberg's 'The Shrouds', With Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger & Guy Pearce, To Begin Filming In May". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  14. Squires, Ryan Louis (June 20, 2023). "John Cronenberg's 'The Shrouds' – Filming Has Wrapped on Cronenberg's Latest Twisted Vision". Bloody Disgusting . Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  15. "The Screenings Guide of the 77th Festival de Cannes". Festival de Cannes. 8 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  16. Lattanzio, Ryan (11 April 2024). "2024 Cannes Film Festival Lineup Revealed: Paul Schrader, Andrea Arnold, and David Cronenberg Among Competition Filmmakers". IndieWire . Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  17. Barraclough, Leo (13 May 2024). "David Cronenberg's 'The Shrouds' Debuts Teaser Ahead of World Premiere in Cannes Competition (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  18. "Les distributeurs ajustent leurs line-ups". Boxoffice Pro (in French). 21 June 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  19. Ntim, Zac (11 April 2024). "Cannes Film Festival Lineup Set: Competition Includes Coppola, Audiard, Cronenberg, Arnold, Lanthimos, Sorrentino & Abbasi's Trump Movie — Full List". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 9 May 2024.