Month: September 2022

Last year, Netflix nabbed the franchise rights to director Rian Johnson’s smash-hit Knives Out in what was rumored to be the most expensive film purchase in history. Now, eighteen months later, the first fruit of this deal just premiered at TIFF to great acclaim and will be rolling out to consumers later this year, with a limited theatrical release followed by a big streaming premiere.

Netflix’s new murder-mystery franchise dovetails with the recent resurgence of the big-budget whodunit, as viewers are once again leaning into the twists, turns, and fake-outs of this classic genre. In the upcoming Knives Out sequel, Daniel Craig reprises his role as the genteel Detective Benoit Blanc but is surrounded by an all-new starry ensemble cast as he tackles a murder on the private Greek island of a tech billionaire. Here’s what you need to know about Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery:

Who will be pressing ‘play’ on Glass Onion?
The streaming audience–where the movie will see most of its viewership–is predicted to lean female (55%) and skew heavily older (69% aged 35+). The theatrical release, though limited in scope, will likely pull in a more balanced crowd, with an even gender split (51% female / 49% male) and a greater number of younger viewers (41% under 30 / 59% 30+). These big-screen demos suggest a bit more male interest than was seen for the original Knives Out (54% female / 46% male) and the recent Death on the Nile (58% female / 42% male).

How does Glass Onion deliver on what viewers loved about Knives Out?
Humor, money, and drama. Just as Knives Out benefitted from its thrilling Family Relationships (157), Glass Onion’s SVOD ratings will be heavily driven by the juicy Group Dynamics (160) that arise among its collection of deliciously quirky, eccentric personalities. The pitch-black Dark Humor (122) that scored a (128) in the original film is similarly threaded through its sequel, and this biting tone is a major component of Glass Onion’s freshness score. Finally, just as the Generational Wealth (128) heightened the stakes for Knives Out, the Lap of Luxury (131) will delight viewers in the sequel.

What differentiates Glass Onion from Knives Out?
An action packed fight to stay alive. While Knives Out played on the slow-burn of a murder being solved, Glass Onion forces its players into a shocking and violent Game of Survival (160). Audiences will relish the cracks and fissures that develop as the pressure mounts, the puzzles build, and each person faces the realization that they themselves could become the killer’s next victim.

What will be the impact of the movie’s A-list talent roster?
A greater sense of novelty. The Star-Studded Cast (160), which, in addition to Craig, includes the likes of Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Kate Hudson, and Dave Bautista, is the #1 freshness driver, meaning it will help distinguish Glass Onion from other, similar titles within the genre. This cast will also be an important draw for the film’s theatrical release (154) but will not be a top contributor to its SVOD ratings.

What about the movie’s luxe Greek island setting?
It provides a compelling backdrop for the murder. The contrast between the suspects’ Lap of Luxury (131) lifestyle–complete with private yacht, extravagant villa, and gorgeous Mediterranean scenery–and the emotional and Psychological Turmoil (124) they endure thanks to the fear and distress of finding a murderer amongst them will not only bump up ratings but also help balance the audience: women will be especially drawn to the lavish settings, while men (especially <35s) will be pulled toward the darker undercurrent running through them.

David O. Russell’s intriguing new showpiece premieres in theaters in early October, and it promises to be a doozy: slick 30s noir setting, buzzy narrative, tantalizing mystery, and comical mad-cap shenanigans by some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. The casting roster in particular has piqued viewer and critic interest alike, with even minor roles going to silver screen icons. Here’s what you need to know about Amsterdam:

Who will be the film’s theatrical audience?
Amsterdam will court older viewers (skewing 70% aged 30+) and is expected to be gender-balanced (50% female / 50% male).

What will make Amsterdam a must-see?
The absurdity of its mystery. The film is, in essence, a Buddy Comedy of Errors (160), in which three ridiculously hapless friends witness a murder in the 1930s and unwittingly become suspects themselves. The central whodunnit Murder Mystery (152) that emerges as the three search for the real killer will keep audiences engrossed in the plot; at the same time, the silly, slapstick tone of their investigation juts up against scenes of shocking Action & Violence (123), the combination of which will provide an engaging viewing experience. The balance of these elements is also what will keep the film’s appeal broad; men will come for the action-comedy, while women will watch for its core mystery.

How important is the historical setting for this film?
It’s noteworthy but not crucial for box office. The Period Piece (107) elements of the 1930s-set Amsterdam are not its major draw; while the Depression-era wealth disparities, racial overtones, over-the-top gangsters, and other trappings will contribute heavily to the film’s quirky-noir essence, viewers will be more attracted to its core comedic murder mystery. It’s worth noting, however, that the period aspects will be a strong enticement specifically for women 30+.

How important are the film’s A-list actors?
Essential. Amsterdam’s Star-Studded Cast (125) boasts a veritable embarrassment of big-name riches, from favored leads Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington to venerated stand-outs like Robert De Niro, Rami Malek, Chris Rock, Anya Taylor-Joy, Michael Shannon, and Zoe Saldaña in smaller roles; as a group, this very well-known ensemble offers strong appeal, particularly for men.

How does social buzz currently look for Amsterdam?
Somewhat muted. Thanks in part to Don’t Worry Darling and its Venice Film Festival premiere sucking up most of the movie-gossip oxygen, Amsterdam’s online presence in terms of tweets and YouTube trailer views is a bit behind. However, the existing chatter so far is quite positive, and the film’s much-teased Taylor Swift cameo has become a growing topic of conversation. Amsterdam still has several weeks to go before release, and plenty of opportunity remains for it to make a big splash as its ramping-up campaign leans farther into its core viewership drivers.

In creating the most expensive show ever made, Amazon has taken a giant swing with their much-anticipated new Lord of the Rings series, and their gamble has already paid off with a slew of positive reviews and Prime Video’s most-watched premiere to date. Derived from the appendices in J.R.R. Tolkien’s original LotR novels, this new show is set thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and tells the story of the forging of the titular Rings and the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron in Middle Earth. Here’s what you need to know about The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power:

The mid-budget romcom has been experiencing a true resurgence as of late, which will test whether theatrical audiences are ready for a more grounded, relationship-oriented form of escapism. Universal is bringing two genre headliners to cinemas this fall. Bros, produced by Judd Apatow, represents the future as the first gay romcom produced by a major studio; Ticket to Paradise is a welcome throwback to the past and stars two romantic icons of the silver screen. Here’s the future outlook for these feel-good titles:

What type of audience is attracted to these films?
Women, but the exact proportion depends on the movie. Based on the trailers, Ticket to Paradise is expected to be 64% female, while the male-heavy Bros is expected to run a bit closer to gender-balanced (at 54% female).

What will coax viewers out to the cinema?
The movies’ unique milieus. Demand will be driven by the promise of an escape into immersive, welcoming new worlds: the Millennial Yuppie Life (160) explored in Bros, with NYC-based board meetings, gym sessions, and boys’ nights out, as well as the Tropical Vacation (160) of Ticket to Paradise, featuring resort luaus, swimming with dolphins, and a beach wedding, are top ratings drivers. At the same time, the romance of it all is much more important for Bros (Unexpected Meet Cute, 160) than Paradise (Romantic Whirlwind, 108) as the former feeds more directly off of its insular setting.

What will make these particular films stand out from the rest of the genre?
The specificity of their core group relationships. The most important distinguishing element of Bros is its exploration of Queer Culture (142) and representation across sexualities and sexual identities, making it a particularly notable stand-out among theatrically-released romcoms. For Ticket to Paradise, the central Family Conflict (151), in which divorced parents take issue with their daughter’s decision to marry, gives the film a lived-in feel as it grapples with complex family dynamics and parenting questions. Both will make their respective titles feel fresh and original.

Is it important for romcoms today to lean into the ‘com’?
Yes. Though each of these titles offers up a different flavor of humor, comedy is nevertheless an important component of both their demand and freshness as viewers gravitate toward lighter fare that will make them laugh. The silly, Funny Romance (155) in Bros that arises as the leads bumble their way into each other’s arms, as well as the over-the-top Schemes & Shenanigans (129) cooked up by the meddling parents in Ticket to Paradise, will support ratings; Paradise’s Insult Comedy (149), stemming from the leads’ hilarious, snarky bickering, is also crucial in making that film feel unique.

How important are the movies’ recognizable casts?
They’re crucially additive. Billy Eichner–co-writer and star of Bros–brings his well-known Pop Culture (141) sensibility and cachet to heighten his film’s freshness score. Julia Roberts and George Clooney–the headliners of Ticket to Paradise–leverage their star personas into their characters’ sparkling Love/Hate Relationship (119) and enemies-to-lovers story arc, boosting their movie’s demand.