To celebrate the end of another great year in independent film, Film Independent is re-posting some of our favorite blogs of 2023. And here’s a reminder: there’s still time to make a tax-deductible donation to Film Independent in support of all the hard work our community does year-round. Not a Member yet? Become one by January 5 to watch the nominees for the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards and vote for the winners. Happy New Year!
“It’s not gonna feel like your average Live Read,” warns Film Independent President Josh Welsh, as he introduces Ruben Östlund to begin Film Independent Presents‘ February 27 staging of the filmmaker’s Academy Award-nominated screenplay for his Palm d’Or winning 2022 capitalism-and-sociology satire, Triangle of Sadness.
A previous Film Independent Spirit Award nominee for 2015’s Force Majeure, Östlund’s unconventional Live Read “guest director” gig is an exercise in anarchy, with the stage direction rich in commentary,...
“It’s not gonna feel like your average Live Read,” warns Film Independent President Josh Welsh, as he introduces Ruben Östlund to begin Film Independent Presents‘ February 27 staging of the filmmaker’s Academy Award-nominated screenplay for his Palm d’Or winning 2022 capitalism-and-sociology satire, Triangle of Sadness.
A previous Film Independent Spirit Award nominee for 2015’s Force Majeure, Östlund’s unconventional Live Read “guest director” gig is an exercise in anarchy, with the stage direction rich in commentary,...
- 12/27/2023
- by Cortney Matz
- Film Independent News & More
An Iranian American woman navigating culture clash, an Argentine bank heist and an animated ghost story voiced by Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie debut this weekend with a handful of docs and some notable expansion, vying with Apple wide release Killers Of The Flower Moon.
Sony Pictures Classics The Persian Version opens on eight screens in NY, LA, Toronto and Vancouver today. The film by writer-director Maryam Keshavarz won both the Audience Award and the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at Sundance where it premiered (Deadline review here). Her previous film Circumstance, about two teenage Iranian girls who fall in love, won the Audience Award too, in 2011, but the filmmaker hasn’t been able to return to Iran since.
The Persian Version stars Layla Mohammadi as Leila, Iranian-American like Keshavarz, and bisexual, striving to find balance and embrace her opposing cultures. When her family reunites in New York City for her father’s heart transplant,...
Sony Pictures Classics The Persian Version opens on eight screens in NY, LA, Toronto and Vancouver today. The film by writer-director Maryam Keshavarz won both the Audience Award and the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at Sundance where it premiered (Deadline review here). Her previous film Circumstance, about two teenage Iranian girls who fall in love, won the Audience Award too, in 2011, but the filmmaker hasn’t been able to return to Iran since.
The Persian Version stars Layla Mohammadi as Leila, Iranian-American like Keshavarz, and bisexual, striving to find balance and embrace her opposing cultures. When her family reunites in New York City for her father’s heart transplant,...
- 10/20/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
If the trailer for Netflix’s Pain Hustlers has a familiar-ish ring, it’s because we’ve seen the topic – a big pharma company making billions off the [hurt] backs of patients – done multiple times before. This outing benefits from a big-name cast and narrowing the focus to one particular employee, played by Emily Blunt.
“I feel like it’s been bucket list name after bucket list name,” stated producer Lawrence Grey. “It is such an incredible cast.”
In addition to Emily Blunt, Chris Evans, Catherine O’Hara, Chloe Coleman, Jay Duplass, and Brian d’Arcy James star in the pharmaceutical drama. The cast also includes Amit Shah, Aubrey Dollar, Willie Raysor, and Andy Garcia .
David Yates (the Fantastic Beasts films) directs from a screenplay by Wells Tower. Yates and Lawrence Grey produce, with Emily Blunt, Mark Moran, Yvonne Walcott-Yates, Lewis Taylor, and Ben Everard executive producing.
Pain Hustlers opens in select theaters...
“I feel like it’s been bucket list name after bucket list name,” stated producer Lawrence Grey. “It is such an incredible cast.”
In addition to Emily Blunt, Chris Evans, Catherine O’Hara, Chloe Coleman, Jay Duplass, and Brian d’Arcy James star in the pharmaceutical drama. The cast also includes Amit Shah, Aubrey Dollar, Willie Raysor, and Andy Garcia .
David Yates (the Fantastic Beasts films) directs from a screenplay by Wells Tower. Yates and Lawrence Grey produce, with Emily Blunt, Mark Moran, Yvonne Walcott-Yates, Lewis Taylor, and Ben Everard executive producing.
Pain Hustlers opens in select theaters...
- 10/10/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
The world of peddling pharmaceuticals and the sudden financial success that comes with it is bound to have some side effects. The new Netflix comedy/drama, Pain Hustlers, is a new cautionary tale of breaking laws and business ethics for massive flows of cash. The recently released trailer showcases Emily Blunt taking a chance on a career opportunity that puts her in over her head. Joining Blunt is Chris Evans and the cast of the movie includes Catherine O’Hara, Chloe Coleman, Jay Duplass, Brian d’Arcy James, Amit Shah, Aubrey Dollar, Willie Raysor and Andy Garcia.
The official synopsis from Netflix reads,
“Liza Drake (Emily Blunt) is a blue-collar single mom who has just lost her job and is at the end of her rope. A chance meeting with pharmaceutical sales rep Pete Brenner (Chris Evans) puts her on an upwards trajectory economically but dubious path ethically as she becomes entangled in a dangerous racketeering scheme.
The official synopsis from Netflix reads,
“Liza Drake (Emily Blunt) is a blue-collar single mom who has just lost her job and is at the end of her rope. A chance meeting with pharmaceutical sales rep Pete Brenner (Chris Evans) puts her on an upwards trajectory economically but dubious path ethically as she becomes entangled in a dangerous racketeering scheme.
- 10/10/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Emily Blunt is a desperate single mom who ends up in a wild criminal scheme in David Yates’ Pain Hustlers. Netflix today dropped the first trailer for the film billed as tonally similar to The Big Short, American Hustle and The Wolf of Wall Street.
In Pain Hustlers, Blunt stars as Liza Drake, a blue-collar single mom who has just lost her job and is at the end of her rope. A chance meeting with pharmaceutical sales rep Pete Brenner (Chris Evans) puts her on an upwards trajectory economically but dubious path ethically as she becomes entangled in a dangerous racketeering scheme. Dealing with her increasingly unhinged boss (Andy Garcia), the worsening medical condition of her daughter (Chloe Coleman), and a growing awareness of the devastation the company is causing forces Liza to examine her choices.
The trailer teases Liza and Pete’s high salary, hard-partying lifestyle with title cards...
In Pain Hustlers, Blunt stars as Liza Drake, a blue-collar single mom who has just lost her job and is at the end of her rope. A chance meeting with pharmaceutical sales rep Pete Brenner (Chris Evans) puts her on an upwards trajectory economically but dubious path ethically as she becomes entangled in a dangerous racketeering scheme. Dealing with her increasingly unhinged boss (Andy Garcia), the worsening medical condition of her daughter (Chloe Coleman), and a growing awareness of the devastation the company is causing forces Liza to examine her choices.
The trailer teases Liza and Pete’s high salary, hard-partying lifestyle with title cards...
- 9/6/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has just dropped the teaser trailer of one of their anticipated releases of the year with Pain Hustlers. The dark comedy showcases Emily Blunt joining Chris Evans in the lucrative game of pill peddling. David Yates, who is predominantly involved with the Harry Potter movies, as well as the Fantastic Beasts spin-offs, helms this new original Netflix film.
The official synopsis from Netflix reads,
“Liza Drake (Emily Blunt) is a blue-collar single mom who has just lost her job and is at the end of her rope. A chance meeting with pharmaceutical sales rep Pete Brenner (Chris Evans) puts her on an upwards trajectory economically but dubious path ethically as she becomes entangled in a dangerous racketeering scheme. Dealing with her increasingly unhinged boss (Andy Garcia), the worsening medical condition of her daughter (Chloe Coleman), and a growing awareness of the devastation the company is causing forces Liza to examine her choices.
The official synopsis from Netflix reads,
“Liza Drake (Emily Blunt) is a blue-collar single mom who has just lost her job and is at the end of her rope. A chance meeting with pharmaceutical sales rep Pete Brenner (Chris Evans) puts her on an upwards trajectory economically but dubious path ethically as she becomes entangled in a dangerous racketeering scheme. Dealing with her increasingly unhinged boss (Andy Garcia), the worsening medical condition of her daughter (Chloe Coleman), and a growing awareness of the devastation the company is causing forces Liza to examine her choices.
- 9/6/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Emily Blunt has gone from bombs to pills in her domination of 2023 cinema.
The “Oppenheimer” actress and anticipated Oscar nominee leads (and also executive produces) Netflix film “Pain Hustlers” alongside MCU alum Chris Evans. BAFTA-winning “Harry Potter” franchise director David Yates helms the pharmaceutical-centric drama adapted by Wells Tower from Evan Hughes’ book of the same name.
The official synopsis reads: Liza Drake (Emily Blunt) is a blue-collar single mom who has just lost her job and is at the end of her rope. A chance meeting with pharmaceutical sales rep Pete Brenner (Chris Evans) puts her on an upwards trajectory economically but dubious path ethically as she becomes entangled in a dangerous racketeering scheme. Dealing with her increasingly unhinged boss (Andy Garcia), the worsening medical condition of her daughter (Chloe Coleman), and a growing awareness of the devastation the company is causing forces Liza to examine her choices.
Catherine O’Hara,...
The “Oppenheimer” actress and anticipated Oscar nominee leads (and also executive produces) Netflix film “Pain Hustlers” alongside MCU alum Chris Evans. BAFTA-winning “Harry Potter” franchise director David Yates helms the pharmaceutical-centric drama adapted by Wells Tower from Evan Hughes’ book of the same name.
The official synopsis reads: Liza Drake (Emily Blunt) is a blue-collar single mom who has just lost her job and is at the end of her rope. A chance meeting with pharmaceutical sales rep Pete Brenner (Chris Evans) puts her on an upwards trajectory economically but dubious path ethically as she becomes entangled in a dangerous racketeering scheme. Dealing with her increasingly unhinged boss (Andy Garcia), the worsening medical condition of her daughter (Chloe Coleman), and a growing awareness of the devastation the company is causing forces Liza to examine her choices.
Catherine O’Hara,...
- 9/6/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
We love watching Chris Evans in romantic comedies. In villainous roles. In action thrillers. And soon, in crime dramas. The actor has dabbled in distinct projects, more so since stepping away from his superhero responsibilities. He was recently seen playing the egocentric sociopath Lloyd Hansen alongside Ryan Gosling in Netflix's "The Gray Man."
Lately, Evans has joined a new production alongside award-winning actress Emily Blunt, a crime drama film titled "The Pain Hustlers," which Netflix acquired global rights to during this year's Cannes Film Festival. The Chris Evans and Emily Blunt-led film has found several new award-winning cast members (via Variety); keep reading to learn all you need to know about it.
What Is The Pain Hustlers About?
"The Pain Hustlers," penned by American screenwriter Wells Towers depicts a blue-collar woman's endeavor to live the American dream. As per the official logline, the film follows Liza Drake (Emily Blunt...
Lately, Evans has joined a new production alongside award-winning actress Emily Blunt, a crime drama film titled "The Pain Hustlers," which Netflix acquired global rights to during this year's Cannes Film Festival. The Chris Evans and Emily Blunt-led film has found several new award-winning cast members (via Variety); keep reading to learn all you need to know about it.
What Is The Pain Hustlers About?
"The Pain Hustlers," penned by American screenwriter Wells Towers depicts a blue-collar woman's endeavor to live the American dream. As per the official logline, the film follows Liza Drake (Emily Blunt...
- 8/30/2022
- by Fatemeh Mirjalili
- Slash Film
David Yates’ Netflix film The Pain Hustlers has begun rounding out its cast, with Andy Garcia (Father of the Bride), Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek), Jay Duplass (Industry), Brian d’Arcy James (West Side Story) and Chloe Coleman (My Spy) signing on to star alongside Emily Blunt and Chris Evans.
The film billed as tonally similar to The Big Short, American Hustle and The Wolf of Wall Street follows Liza Drake (Blunt), a high-school dropout dreaming of a better life for her and her young daughter. Liza lands a job with a failing pharmaceutical startup in a yellowing strip mall in Central Florida. Her charm, guts and drive then catapult the company and her into the high life, where she soon finds herself at the center of a criminal conspiracy with deadly consequences.
Netflix acquired global rights to the film written by Wells Tower for 50M out of this year’s Cannes Film Festival,...
The film billed as tonally similar to The Big Short, American Hustle and The Wolf of Wall Street follows Liza Drake (Blunt), a high-school dropout dreaming of a better life for her and her young daughter. Liza lands a job with a failing pharmaceutical startup in a yellowing strip mall in Central Florida. Her charm, guts and drive then catapult the company and her into the high life, where she soon finds herself at the center of a criminal conspiracy with deadly consequences.
Netflix acquired global rights to the film written by Wells Tower for 50M out of this year’s Cannes Film Festival,...
- 8/29/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Andy Garcia, Catherine O’Hara, Jay Duplass, Brian d’Arcy James and Chloe Coleman are attached to join Emily Blunt and Chris Evans in the cast of “The Pain Hustlers,” director David Yates’ feature film for Netflix.
Production on “The Pain Hustlers” kicked off this month. The project is described as a “hilarious, dramatic and wild journey to the corrupt heart of the American dream” in the vein of Adam McKay’s “The Big Short.”
The film follows Blunt as a blue-collar woman who, upon losing her job struggling to raise her daughter, takes a position at a failing pharmaceutical start-up, only to get involved in a dangerous racketeering scheme.
Also Read:
The 5 Best New Netflix Shows to Watch in August
Yates, best known for the final “Harry Potter” and all of the “Fantastic Beasts” films, is directing “The Pain Hustlers” from a script by Wells Tower. Yates is also producing via his Wychwood Media banner,...
Production on “The Pain Hustlers” kicked off this month. The project is described as a “hilarious, dramatic and wild journey to the corrupt heart of the American dream” in the vein of Adam McKay’s “The Big Short.”
The film follows Blunt as a blue-collar woman who, upon losing her job struggling to raise her daughter, takes a position at a failing pharmaceutical start-up, only to get involved in a dangerous racketeering scheme.
Also Read:
The 5 Best New Netflix Shows to Watch in August
Yates, best known for the final “Harry Potter” and all of the “Fantastic Beasts” films, is directing “The Pain Hustlers” from a script by Wells Tower. Yates is also producing via his Wychwood Media banner,...
- 8/29/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Chris Evans has entered into talks to join the cast of the Netflix feature ‘Pain Hustlers’ alongside Emily Blunt.
Described as being tonally similar to ‘The Big Short,’ ‘American Hustle’ and ‘The Wolf of Wall Street,’ the film focuses on Liza Drake (Blunt), a high-school dropout dreaming of a better life for her and her young daughter. Liz lands a job with a failing pharmaceutical startup in a yellowing strip mall in Central Florida. Her charm, guts and drive catapult the company and her into the high life, where she soon finds herself at the centre of a criminal conspiracy with deadly consequences.
Also in news – Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Claire Foy & more join Andrew Haigh’s ‘Strangers’
Written by Wells Tower, the film is directed by David Yates. Lawrence Grey is producing under his Grey Matter Productions banner alongside Yates and Yvonne Walcott Yates’ Wychwood Pictures. Lewis Taylor and Ben Everard are EPs,...
Described as being tonally similar to ‘The Big Short,’ ‘American Hustle’ and ‘The Wolf of Wall Street,’ the film focuses on Liza Drake (Blunt), a high-school dropout dreaming of a better life for her and her young daughter. Liz lands a job with a failing pharmaceutical startup in a yellowing strip mall in Central Florida. Her charm, guts and drive catapult the company and her into the high life, where she soon finds herself at the centre of a criminal conspiracy with deadly consequences.
Also in news – Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Claire Foy & more join Andrew Haigh’s ‘Strangers’
Written by Wells Tower, the film is directed by David Yates. Lawrence Grey is producing under his Grey Matter Productions banner alongside Yates and Yvonne Walcott Yates’ Wychwood Pictures. Lewis Taylor and Ben Everard are EPs,...
- 7/6/2022
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Chris Evans is in talks to join pharmaceutical drama “Pain Hustlers” at Netflix, according to an individual with knowledge of the project.
Emily Blunt is attached to star. Details about Evans’ role is being kept under wraps.
David Yates is attached to direct the project, which Netflux acquired during Cannes in a 50 million global rights deal. The sale is the biggest out of Cannes so far this year.
Also Read:
Netflix Acquires David Yates Film ‘Pain Hustlers’ Starring Emily Blunt for 50 Million
Acclaimed short story and nonfiction writer Wells Tower will be penning the script. The project — which is described as tonally similar to “The Big Short,” “American Hustle” and “The Wolf of Wall Street” — follows high school dropout Liza (Blunt), who has bigger ambitions for herself and her young daughter. She lands a job at an ailing pharmaceutical startup in Central Florida, where her charm and grit catapult her...
Emily Blunt is attached to star. Details about Evans’ role is being kept under wraps.
David Yates is attached to direct the project, which Netflux acquired during Cannes in a 50 million global rights deal. The sale is the biggest out of Cannes so far this year.
Also Read:
Netflix Acquires David Yates Film ‘Pain Hustlers’ Starring Emily Blunt for 50 Million
Acclaimed short story and nonfiction writer Wells Tower will be penning the script. The project — which is described as tonally similar to “The Big Short,” “American Hustle” and “The Wolf of Wall Street” — follows high school dropout Liza (Blunt), who has bigger ambitions for herself and her young daughter. She lands a job at an ailing pharmaceutical startup in Central Florida, where her charm and grit catapult her...
- 7/5/2022
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Chris Evans is in final negotiations to join Netflix’s Pain Hustlers opposite Emily Blunt.
Deadline first told you about the project out of Cannes, where the streamer landed global rights to the David Yates-directed, Wells Tower-written feature for 50 million. Netflix had no comment on Evans potentially joining the film.
Pic centers on Liza Drake (Blunt), a high-school dropout dreaming of a better life for her and her young daughter. Liz lands a job with a failing pharmaceutical startup in a yellowing strip mall in Central Florida. Her charm, guts and drive catapult the company and her into the high life, where she soon finds herself at the center of a criminal conspiracy with deadly consequences.
Production is expected to begin in late August on the pic, which has been billed as being tonally similar to The Big Short, American Hustle and The Wolf of Wall Street.
Lawrence Grey...
Deadline first told you about the project out of Cannes, where the streamer landed global rights to the David Yates-directed, Wells Tower-written feature for 50 million. Netflix had no comment on Evans potentially joining the film.
Pic centers on Liza Drake (Blunt), a high-school dropout dreaming of a better life for her and her young daughter. Liz lands a job with a failing pharmaceutical startup in a yellowing strip mall in Central Florida. Her charm, guts and drive catapult the company and her into the high life, where she soon finds herself at the center of a criminal conspiracy with deadly consequences.
Production is expected to begin in late August on the pic, which has been billed as being tonally similar to The Big Short, American Hustle and The Wolf of Wall Street.
Lawrence Grey...
- 7/5/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
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