Failure! Explained

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

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

Production

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

The film was picked up for distribution by Alief^[4] at Marché du Film 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

Failure! received mostly positive reviews from critics. It has approval rating on film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes with an average score of based on 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]

Notes and References

1. Meza . Ed . 2023-05-23 . Alex Kahuam’s Ted Raimi Thriller ‘Failure!’ Goes With Alief (EXCLUSIVE) . 2023-07-31 . . en-US.
2. Navarro . Meagan . 2023-05-19 . ‘Failure!’ – Ted Raimi Previews Ambitious, Violent, Single-Take Thriller Ahead of Cannes Debut [Exclusive] ]. 2023-07-31 . . en-US.
3. Web site: Mack . Andrew . 2022-06-28 . FAILURE! Alex Kahuam Directs Genre Icon Ted Raimi in Single Take Thriller . 2023-07-31 . Screen Anarchy.
4. Hamman . Cody . 2023-07-19 . Failure! teaser trailer: Ted Raimi thriller to premiere at FrightFest . 2023-07-31 . . en-US.
5. Web site: Squires . John . 2023-07-18 . ‘Failure!’ Trailer – Ted Raimi Stars in Single Take Thriller Headed to FrightFest 2023 . 2023-07-31 . . en-US.
6. Web site: Ramachandran . Naman . May 16, 2024 . Ted Raimi Thriller ‘Failure!’ Snapped Up for North American Distribution at Cannes Market by Red Water Entertainment (EXCLUSIVE) . May 16, 2024 . . en-US.
7. Web site: Failure!. Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. .
8. Web site: Unsworth . Martin . 2023-08-28 . FAILURE! [FrightFest 2023] ]. 2023-08-28 . . en-GB.
9. Web site: Chapinal . Paul . 2023-08-28 . Failure! . 2023-08-28 . Film News . en-US.
10. Web site: Newman . Kim . Kim Newman . 2023-08-28 . FrightFest review – Failure! . 2023-08-28 . The Kim Newman Web Site . en-GB.
11. Web site: Bitel . Anton . 2023-08-28 . Failure! (2023) . 2023-08-28 . Projected Figures . en-GB.