Wikipedia

Failure!

Failure! is a 2023 crime comedy film written and directed by Alex Kahuam. The film stars Ted Raimi, Merrick McCartha, Noel Douglas Orput, Melissa Diaz and Christin Muuli.

Failure!
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAlex Kahuam
Written byAlex Kahuam
Produced by
  • Marco De Molina
  • Kayli Fortun
  • Alex Kahuam
  • Ted Raimi
  • Jose D. Rodriguez
Starring
  • Ted Raimi
  • Merrick McCartha
  • Noel Douglas Orput
  • Melissa Diaz
  • Christin Muuli
  • Daniel Kuhlman
  • LeVar Michael
  • Spencer Langston
  • John Paul Medrano
  • Ernest Cavazos
  • Joe Barra
  • Chris Paul Morales
  • Alex Sands
  • Hyeong Choi
CinematographyErnesto Lomeli
Edited byAlex Kahuam
Music byVincent Gillioz
Production
companies
  • Promotora NAE
  • Spacebrain Entertainment
Distributed byRed Water Entertainment
Release dates
  • August 28, 2023 (2023-08-28) (FrightFest)
  • January 28, 2025 (2025-01-28) (VOD)
Running time
87 minutes
Countries
  • Mexico
  • United States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

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Within one hour, a businessman must choose between his finances or murder to keep his family safe.

Cast

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  • Ted Raimi as James
  • Merrick McCartha as Mr. Serge
  • Noel Douglas Orput as Unknown Man
  • Melissa Diaz as Maria
  • Christin Muuli as Jessica
  • Daniel Kuhlman as Alvar
  • LeVar Michael as Robert
  • Spencer Langston as JP. Jr.
  • John Paul Medrano as Michael
  • Ernest Cavazos as Slavko
  • Joe Barra as Nicolas
  • Chris Paul Morales as Juan
  • Alex Sands as Charles
  • Hyeong Choi as Takuma

Production

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The film was shot in a single 87-minute take.[1] Raimi said that principal photography took three days from rehearsal to final take.[2] The film makes Kahuam the first Mexican filmmaker to make a one shot feature film in the US.[3][4]

Release

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The film was picked up for distribution by Alief[5] at Marché du Film[2] and premiered at FrightFest on August 28, 2023.[6] In May 2024, Red Water Entertainment acquired the North American distribution rights.[7] It was released on video on demand on January 28, 2025.[8]

Reception

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 67% of 9 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.0/10.[9]

Martin Unsworth at Starburst Magazine scored the film 5 out of 5.[10] Paul Chapinal at Film News gave it 4 out of 5 stars.[11] Film critic Kim Newman said the film is more satisfying than Kahuam's Forgiveness.[12] Anton Bitel at Projected Figures said it is "an understated, if unpredictable chamber drama" that "is concerned with broader themes of American capital and criminality."[13]

Horror icon and frequent Raimi collaborator Bruce Campbell endorsed the film by saying "Ted Raimi is one of the few actors I would — or could — watch for 87 minutes without a break."[4]

References

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  1. ↑ Meza, Ed (May 23, 2023). "Alex Kahuam's Ted Raimi Thriller 'Failure!' Goes With Alief (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety (Press release). Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  2. 1 2 Navarro, Meagan (May 19, 2023). "'Failure!' – Ted Raimi Previews Ambitious, Violent, Single-Take Thriller Ahead of Cannes Debut [Exclusive]". Bloody Disgusting (Interview). Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  3. ↑ Mack, Andrew (June 28, 2022). "FAILURE! Alex Kahuam Directs Genre Icon Ted Raimi in Single Take Thriller". Screen Anarchy. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  4. 1 2 DiVincenzo, Alex (January 30, 2025). "Single-Take Thriller 'Failure!' Starring Ted Raimi Available Now". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  5. ↑ Hamman, Cody (July 19, 2023). "Failure! teaser trailer: Ted Raimi thriller to premiere at FrightFest". JoBlo (Press release). Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  6. ↑ Squires, John (July 18, 2023). "'Failure!' Trailer – Ted Raimi Stars in Single Take Thriller Headed to FrightFest 2023". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  7. ↑ Ramachandran, Naman (May 16, 2024). "Ted Raimi Thriller 'Failure!' Snapped Up for North American Distribution at Cannes Market by Red Water Entertainment (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Failure!". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Failure!". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 4, 2023. Edit this at Wikidata
  10. ↑ Unsworth, Martin (August 28, 2023). "FAILURE! [FrightFest 2023]". Starburst. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  11. ↑ Chapinal, Paul (August 28, 2023). "Failure!". Film News. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  12. ↑ Newman, Kim (August 28, 2023). "FrightFest review – Failure!". The Kim Newman Web Site. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  13. ↑ Bitel, Anton (August 28, 2023). "Failure! (2023)". Projected Figures. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
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