Violet (2021 film)

Last updated
Violet
VIOLET poster sm3.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Justine Bateman
Written byJustine Bateman
Produced by
  • Justine Bateman
  • Larry Hummel
  • Michael D. Jones
  • Matt Paul
Starring
CinematographyMark Williams
Edited by Jay Friedkin
Music byVUM
Production
company
Section 5
Distributed by
Release dates
  • March 18, 2021 (2021-03-18)(SXSW)
  • October 29, 2021 (2021-10-29)
Running time
92 minutes [1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Violet is a 2021 American drama film written, directed, and co-produced by Justine Bateman in her feature film directorial debut. It stars Olivia Munn, Luke Bracey and Justin Theroux.

Contents

Violet follows Violet Morton, a 32-year-old film executive who is living her life listening to her fear (“The Voice”). She has made these fear-based decisions to avoid potential “worst-case scenarios” in her romantic life, her family life, and her professional life. These decisions have taken her away from who she really is. She has grown accustomed to not being quite herself, and sees nothing amiss, until a friend’s comment makes her realize that The Voice has been lying to her, her entire life.

It had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 18, 2021. It was released in theaters in a limited release on October 29, 2021, prior to video on demand on November 9, 2021, by Relativity Media and Rogue Pictures.

Plot

Violet (Olivia Munn) works as the head of production for a film company and is incredibly successful. However due to a perpetual voice in her head (Justin Theroux) she finds herself deeply insecure.

The Voice (a male one, representing Violet's negative thoughts) consistently guides Violet's career and personal decisions and discourages her from confiding in her friends. When Violet runs into Martin Woods, her ex-boyfriend of seven years ago, The Voice tells her that Martin finds her stupid and encourages her to insult him to level the playing field.

Later on, at work, Violet's boss, Tom Gaines, compliments her on her work and recalls a project she had worked on earlier, Fox Run, an experimental film based on a book of poetry. When Violet opens up about what she loves about the project he initially seems receptive, but later uses the information to denigrate her, revealing he will never back the film.

Violet later confides to her childhood friend Red she is afraid of doing things wrong as it leaves her feeling unsafe and he encourages her to make mistakes.

Violet begins defying The Voice. She reaches out to Martin to apologize for being rude to him and he forgives her and also apologizes for his role in their breakup. She decides to ignore the calls from the powerful film executive she had been seeing and begins a relationship with Red.

When Tom Gaines humiliates Violet at work by revealing that she was sleeping with the executive, Violet pushes back telling him she is responsible for the success of his company. When he fires her, she immediately reaches out to financiers she knows who are looking to expand into production, and is able to become their President of Production. The new company is enthusiastic about Fox Run and Violet works to make it her next film.

Just as things seem to be going well for Violet, she learns that her estranged mother has died. While she initially books a flight to go to the funeral, Violet realizes that there is no reason to go back, as the majority of her family is cruel and abusive towards her.

Violet's brother calls her to confront her for missing the funeral, and she finally cuts him off. The Voice tells Violet she will be alone forever and then die. Violet realizes the voice is lying; she is finally free.

Cast

Production

In March 2018, Olivia Munn and Justin Theroux had joined the cast of the film, with Justine Bateman directing from a screenplay she wrote. [2] In July 2019, Luke Bracey joined the cast of the film. [3] In August 2019, Jason Dohring, Zachary Gordon and Laura San Giacomo joined the cast of the film. [4] [5] In September 2019, Todd Stashwick joined the cast of the film. [6]

Principal photography began in August 2019. [7]

Release

Violet had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 18, 2021. [8] It was previously set to hold its premiere at the festival the year before; however, it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [9] [10] In July 2021, Relativity Media acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film. [11] The Exchange handled foreign sales for the film. [12]

It had its international premiere at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2021. [13] It was released in a limited release on October 29, 2021, prior to video on demand on November 9, 2021. [14]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 82% of 78 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.0/10.The website's consensus reads: "Uneven yet admirably ambitious, Violet takes a thoughtful look at the occasionally profound difference between a person's private thoughts and public face." [15] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 61 out of 100, based on 13 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justine Bateman</span> American actress and filmmaker (born 1966)

Justine Bateman is an American actress and filmmaker. Her acting work includes Family Ties, Satisfaction, Men Behaving Badly, The TV Set, Desperate Housewives, and Californication. Her feature film directorial debut, Violet, starring Olivia Munn, Luke Bracey, and Justin Theroux, premiered at the 2021 SXSW Film Festival. Bateman also wrote, directed and produced the film short Five Minutes, which premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Theroux</span> American actor and filmmaker (born 1971)

Justin Paul Theroux is an American actor and filmmaker. He gained recognition for his work with director David Lynch in the mystery film Mulholland Drive (2001) and the horror film Inland Empire (2006). He also appeared in films such as Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997), American Psycho (2000), Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003), Strangers with Candy (2005), Miami Vice (2006), Wanderlust (2012), The Girl on the Train (2016), The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018), On the Basis of Sex (2018), Bumblebee (2018), and Lady and the Tramp (2019).

Haley Michelle Ramm is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Jen Long in the police procedural series Without a Trace (2007–2008), Brenna Carver in the ABC Family drama Chasing Life (2014–2015), and Violet Simmons in the supernatural thriller series Light as a Feather (2018–2019).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olivia Munn</span> American actress (born 1980)

Lisa Olivia Munn is an American actress. After an internship at a news station in Tulsa, she moved to Los Angeles where she began her professional career as a television host for the gaming network G4, primarily on the series Attack of the Show! from 2006 until 2010. Munn appeared as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart from 2010 to 2011. She is known for her three-season-long portrayal of Sloan Sabbith in Aaron Sorkin's HBO political drama series The Newsroom (2012–2014).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peyton List (actress, born 1998)</span> American actress (born 1998)

Peyton Roi List is an American actress. List began her career as a child model for tween magazines and companies before transitioning to acting. List made her acting debut, as a child actress, in the 2008 film 27 Dresses, and played Holly Hills in the 2011–2012 Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaitlyn Dever</span> American actress (born 1996)

Kaitlyn Rochelle Dever is an American actress, musician and voice actress. She became known for her roles in series such as Justified (2011–2015), Last Man Standing (2011–2021), Unbelievable (2019), and Dopesick (2021). She earned Golden Globe Award nominations for Unbelievable and Dopesick, in addition to a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Dopesick.

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

Sarah Margaret Qualley is an American actress. The daughter of actress Andie MacDowell and the sister of actress Rainey Qualley, she trained as a ballerina in her youth. She made her acting debut in the 2013 drama film Palo Alto and gained recognition for her supporting role in the HBO drama series The Leftovers (2014–2017).

<i>Office Christmas Party</i> 2016 comedy

Office Christmas Party is a 2016 American Christmas comedy film directed by Will Speck and Josh Gordon and written by Justin Malen and Laura Solon, based on a story by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. The film stars an ensemble cast, including Jason Bateman, Olivia Munn, T.J. Miller, Jillian Bell, Vanessa Bayer, Courtney B. Vance, Rob Corddry, Sam Richardson, Randall Park, Kate McKinnon, and Jennifer Aniston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natasha Liu Bordizzo</span> Australian actress

Natasha Liu Bordizzo is an Australian actress. She made her debut portraying the character of Snow Vase in Netflix's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny. In 2019, she portrayed the character of Helena in Netflix's The Society. In 2022, she portrayed the character of Heather in Netflix's Day Shift. In 2023, she portrayed the Mandalorian warrior Sabine Wren in the Disney+ series Ahsoka.

<i>Maniac</i> (miniseries) American psychological black comedy-drama television miniseries

Maniac is an American black psychological comedy drama television miniseries that premiered on Netflix on September 21, 2018, after being announced in 2016. Patrick Somerville created the series and Cary Joji Fukunaga directed, basing it very loosely on the 2015 Norwegian television series of the same name while drawing inspiration from many more famous films. The 10-episode series stars Emma Stone, Jonah Hill, Justin Theroux, Sonoya Mizuno, Gabriel Byrne, and Sally Field. The plot follows two strangers who connect during a mind-bending pharmaceutical trial set in a retro-future New York City.

<i>The Lego Ninjago Movie</i> 2017 animated film

The Lego Ninjago Movie is a 2017 animated martial arts comedy film produced by Warner Animation Group, RatPac-Dune Entertainment, Lego System A/S, Lin Pictures, Lord Miller Productions, and Vertigo Entertainment, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Based on the toy/kit line of the same name, and TV show starring the same characters, it was directed by Charlie Bean, Paul Fisher, and Bob Logan from a screenplay by Logan, Fisher, William Wheeler, Tom Wheeler, Jared Stern, and John Whittington. It is the first theatrical film to be based on an original Lego property and the third installment in The Lego Movie franchise as well as its second spin-off. The film stars the voices of Dave Franco, Michael Pena, Kumail Nanjiani, Abbi Jacobson, Zach Woods, Fred Armisen, Justin Theroux and Olivia Munn, as well as a live-action role by Jackie Chan. The film focuses on a teenage ninja Lloyd Garmadon, as he attempts to accept the truth about his sinister father and learn what it truly means to be a ninja warrior as a new threat emerges to endanger his homeland.

<i>Kim Possible</i> (film) 2019 Disney Channel original movie

Kim Possible is a 2019 American made-for-TV action comedy film that premiered as a Disney Channel Original Movie on Disney Channel on February 15, 2019. Based on the animated series of the same name created by Mark McCorkle and Bob Schooley, the film stars Sadie Stanley, Sean Giambrone, and Ciara Riley Wilson.

<i>Lady and the Tramp</i> (2019 film) 2019 musical romance film

Lady and the Tramp is a 2019 American musical romance film directed by Charlie Bean and written by Andrew Bujalski and Kari Granlund, and produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Taylor Made, and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The film is a live-action/animated hybrid remake of Walt Disney's 1955 animated film Lady and the Tramp, which was based on the 1945 Cosmopolitan magazine story of "Happy Dan, the Cynical Dog" by Ward Greene. The film stars the voices of Tessa Thompson, Justin Theroux, Janelle Monáe, and Sam Elliott with the human characters portrayed by Thomas Mann, Kiersey Clemons, Yvette Nicole Brown, F. Murray Abraham, Adrian Martinez, and Ken Jeong. It is dedicated to storyboard artist Chris Reccardi, who died on May 2, 2019.

<i>Troop Zero</i> 2019 comedy-drama film

Troop Zero is a 2019 American comedy-drama film directed by Bert & Bertie, from a screenplay by Lucy Alibar and inspired by Alibar's 2010 play Christmas and Jubilee Behold The Meteor Shower. The film stars Viola Davis, Mckenna Grace, Jim Gaffigan, Mike Epps, Charlie Shotwell, and Allison Janney.

<i>Them That Follow</i> 2019 American film

Them That Follow is a 2019 American thriller film, written and directed by Britt Poulton and Dan Madison Savage. It stars Olivia Colman, Kaitlyn Dever, Alice Englert, Jim Gaffigan, Walton Goggins, Thomas Mann and Lewis Pullman.

<i>Holidate</i> 2020 romantic comedy film by John Whitesell

Holidate is a 2020 American romantic comedy film directed by John Whitesell, from a screenplay by Tiffany Paulsen. It stars Emma Roberts, Luke Bracey, Jake Manley, Jessica Capshaw, Andrew Bachelor, Frances Fisher, Manish Dayal and Kristin Chenoweth. The film was released on Netflix on October 28, 2020.

<i>Love, Weddings & Other Disasters</i> 2020 film comedy by Dennis Dugan

Love, Weddings & Other Disasters is a 2020 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Dennis Dugan, from a story by Dugan, Eileen Conn and Larry Miller. It stars Diane Keaton, Jeremy Irons, Maggie Grace, Diego Boneta and Andrew Bachelor.

<i>The Mosquito Coast</i> (TV series) Apple TV+ television series

The Mosquito Coast is an American drama television series developed by Neil Cross and Tom Bissell based on the novel of the same name by Paul Theroux published in 1981. It is also loosely adapted from the 1986 film which starred Harrison Ford. The series stars Justin Theroux, nephew of Paul, and Melissa George in lead roles, with Logan Polish and Gabriel Bateman rounding out the main cast. Justin Theroux also serves as executive producer of the series, along with Rupert Wyatt who directed the first two episodes.

<i>The Valet</i> (2022 film) Film by Richard Wong

The Valet is a 2022 American romantic comedy film directed by Richard Wong and written by Bob Fisher and Rob Greenberg. It is a remake of the French film The Valet (2006) by Francis Veber. It stars Eugenio Derbez and Samara Weaving, with Max Greenfield, Betsy Brandt, Marisol Nichols, Amaury Nolasco, Carmen Salinas, Noemi Gonzalez, Armando Hernández, Carlos Santos, Ravi Patel, and John Pirruccello in supporting roles. The film is dedicated to Salinas, who died in 2021. The plot follows a parking valet (Derbez) who is hired to date an actress (Weaving) trying to cover up an affair. The film was released on Hulu on May 20, 2022. It received generally positive reviews from critics.

Violet Elizabeth McGraw is an American child actress. She began acting at the age of five, with her debut credited role being a recurring role in the 2016 television series Love as Nina, and her first feature film being in 2018's Ready Player One. In 2019 she was nominated for an OFTA Television Award for Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture or Limited Series for The Haunting of Hill House. She is also known for her role as Cady in the 2022 horror film M3GAN.

References

  1. ↑ "Violet". South by Southwest . Archived from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  2. ↑ McNary, Dave (March 27, 2018). "Olivia Munn, Justin Theroux Join Justine Bateman's Drama 'Violet' (Exclusive)". Variety . Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  3. ↑ N'Duka, Amanda (July 17, 2019). "'Hacksaw Ridge' Actor Luke Bracey Joins Olivia Munn & Justin Theroux In 'Violet' Indie From Justine Bateman". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on July 18, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  4. ↑ N'Duka, Amanda (August 9, 2019). "'Veronica Mars' Jason Dohring, Zachary Gordon Cast In 'Violet' Drama Starring Olivia Munn". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 10, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  5. ↑ Bateman, Justine (August 12, 2019). "Adding to the list of awesome actors on #VIOLETthefilm, the great #LauraSanGiacomo. End of Week Two. (Photo by Joe Pro)". Instagram . Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  6. ↑ N'Duka, Amanda (September 12, 2019). "Todd Stashwick Joins 'Violet' & 'Love, Weddings & Other Disasters'; TJ Atoms Cast In 'The 40-Year-Old Version'; D'Ambrosio Twins In 'Slapface' Indie". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  7. ↑ Bateman, Justine (August 12, 2019). "Week One done. Me and the great @tailstix #VIOLETthefilm (photo by JoePro)". Instagram . Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  8. ↑ Day-Ramos, Dino (January 14, 2021). "SXSW Sets 'Demi Lovato: Dancing With The Devil' As Film Festival Opener; Unveils Program Highlights". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  9. ↑ Ray-Ramos, Dino (January 15, 2020). "SXSW Sets Judd Apatow's 'The King Of Staten Island' As Opening-Night Film, Unveils Features And Episodics Lineups". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 16, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  10. ↑ "City of Austin Cancels SXSW March Events". South by Southwest . March 6, 2020. Archived from the original on March 6, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  11. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 1, 2021). "Justine Bateman Feature Directorial Debut 'Violet' Picked Up By Relativity Media". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  12. ↑ Kay, Jeremy (August 20, 2021). "The Exchange Boards Sales on Upcoming TIFF Premiere 'Violet' (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on September 5, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  13. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (2021-07-20). "Toronto Film Festival Lineup Adds 'Dear Evan Hansen,' 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye' and 'Clifford the Big Red Dog'". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-10-20. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  14. ↑ D’Alessandro, Anthony (September 17, 2021). "Justine Bateman Feature Directorial Debut 'Violet' Sets Fall Theatrical Release – TIFF". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Violet". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved April 6, 2022. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  16. ↑ "Violet". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
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.