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Failure!

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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 date
Running time
87 minutes
Countries
  • Mexico
  • United States
LanguageEnglish

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

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] It is the first of its kind by a Mexican director who shot the film in the United States.[3]

Release

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The film was picked up for distribution by Alief[4] at Marché du Film[2] and premiered at FrightFest on August 28, 2023.[5] In May 2024, Red Water Entertainment acquired the North American distribution rights, with a 2025 release date.[6]

Reception

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Failure! received mostly positive reviews from critics. It has a 75% approval rating on film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes with an average score of 7.7/10 based on eight reviews.[7]

Martin Unsworth at Starburst Magazine scored the film 5 out of 5.[8] Paul Chapinal at Film News gave it 4 out of 5 stars.[9] Film critic Kim Newman said the film is more satisfying that Kahuam's Forgiveness.[10] 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."[11]

References

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  1. ^ Meza, Ed (2023-05-23). "Alex Kahuam's Ted Raimi Thriller 'Failure!' Goes With Alief (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety (Press release). Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  2. ^ a b Navarro, Meagan (2023-05-19). "'Failure!' – Ted Raimi Previews Ambitious, Violent, Single-Take Thriller Ahead of Cannes Debut [Exclusive]". Bloody Disgusting (Interview). Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  3. ^ Mack, Andrew (2022-06-28). "FAILURE! Alex Kahuam Directs Genre Icon Ted Raimi in Single Take Thriller". Screen Anarchy. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  4. ^ Hamman, Cody (2023-07-19). "Failure! teaser trailer: Ted Raimi thriller to premiere at FrightFest". JoBlo (Press release). Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  5. ^ Squires, John (2023-07-18). "'Failure!' Trailer – Ted Raimi Stars in Single Take Thriller Headed to FrightFest 2023". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "Failure!". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  8. ^ Unsworth, Martin (2023-08-28). "FAILURE! [FrightFest 2023]". Starburst. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  9. ^ Chapinal, Paul (2023-08-28). "Failure!". Film News. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  10. ^ Newman, Kim (2023-08-28). "FrightFest review – Failure!". The Kim Newman Web Site. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  11. ^ Bitel, Anton (2023-08-28). "Failure! (2023)". Projected Figures. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
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