Archenemy is a 2020 independent superhero mystery-thriller film written and directed by Adam Egypt Mortimer based on a story Mortimer created with Lucas Passmore. Joe Manganiello, who also produced the film, stars in the lead role alongside Skylan Brooks, Paul Scheer, Glenn Howerton, Zolee Griggs, and Amy Seimetz.
| Archenemy | |
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 Official poster | |
| Directed by | Adam Egypt Mortimer |
| Screenplay by | Adam Egypt Mortimer |
| Story by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Halyna Hutchins |
| Edited by | Chris Patterson |
| Music by | Matt Hill |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | RLJE Films |
Release dates |
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Running time | 90 minutes[1] |
| Countries |
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| Language | English |
| Box office | $147,757[2][3] |
Archenemy had its world premiere at Beyond Fest on October 7, 2020. The film was released on December 11, 2020 by RLJE Films.
Premise
editA teenager meets a mysterious man named Max Fist, who claims he lost his superpowers after arriving from another dimension. Together, they take to the streets to wipe out a vicious crime boss and his local drug syndicate.
Cast
edit- Joe Manganiello as Max Fist
- Skylan Brooks as Hamster
- Zolee Griggs as Indigo
- Paul Scheer as Krieg
- Amy Seimetz as Cleo Ventrik
- Glenn Howerton as The Manager
Production
editIn November 2019, it was announced Joe Manganiello, Glenn Howerton and Amy Seimetz had joined the cast of the film, with Adam Egypt Mortimer directing from a screenplay he wrote, from a story by Mortimer and Lucas Passmore, with Joe Manganiello will produce along with Daniel Noah, Elijah Wood, Kim Sherman, Lisa Whalen and Nick Manganiello.[4][5]
Principal photography began on December 9, 2019 and concluded in January 2020.[6][7]
Release
editIn July 2020, it was announced RLJE Films had acquired distribution rights to the film.[8] It had its world premiere at Beyond Fest on October 7, 2020.[9] It will also screen at the Sitges Film Festival in October 2020.[10] It was released on December 11, 2020.[11] On its first weekend the film grossed $54,570. And on its second weekend $27,640. On its third weekend the film grossed $24,851. On its fourth weekend $9,897 more.[2][3]
Reception
editOn review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Archenemy has a 74% approval rating based on 57 reviews, with an average rating of 6.2/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Archenemy fails to follow through on some of its more interesting ideas, but Joe Manganiello's lead performance and the picture's infectious raw energy make for a fun action-adventure."[12] Metacritic reports a score of 57 out of 100 based on seven critic reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[13]
Possible sequel
editIn December 2020, while speaking to Bloody Disgusting, Mortimer confirmed a "Vortex Trilogy" consisting of Daniel Isn't Real, Archenemy, and a planned third film, saying "mark my words we are going to make a third movie in the Vortex Trilogy that will have Daniel return and force Max, in some form, to deal with it. A crisis on infinite vortices pulling together as many of the characters from both stories as we can fit for a true cosmic horror/cosmic action crossover hybrid!"[14]
References
edit- ^ "Archenemy". Beyond Fest. Archived from the original on October 5, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
- ^ a b "Archenemy (2020)". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ a b "Archenemy (2020)". The Numbers. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ Ritman, Alex (November 6, 2019). "Joe Manganiello to Star in Action-Adventure 'Archenemy' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
- ^ "Legion M and SpectreVision Team Up For New Project Archenemy That Casts Joe Manganiello as the Lead". Geek Vibes Nation. November 15, 2019. Archived from the original on July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
- ^ Mortimer, Adam (December 9, 2020). "Our first day of shooting ARCHENEMY was Dec 9, 2019. Exactly one year ago! And now the movie comes out in two days. Here's some behind the scene shots from that first day of filming". Twitter. Archived from the original on December 9, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
- ^ Hughes, Kat (February 6, 2020). "Interview: Adam Egypt Mortimer Talks 'Daniel Isn't Real', 'Archenemy' and more". The Hollywood News. Archived from the original on February 26, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
- ^ B. Vary, Adam (July 23, 2020). "Joe Manganiello Is Interdimensional Superhero Max Fist in 'Archenemy' Trailer (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- ^ "World Premiere! ARCHENEMY + North American Premiere! PG: PSYCHO GOREMAN". Eventbrite. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ "Sitges Film Festival 2020 Line-up". Sitges Film Festival. August 31, 2020. Archived from the original on September 3, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (September 24, 2020). "Adam Egypt Mortimer's 'Archenemy' Acquired By RLJE Films Ahead Of Beyond Fest Bow". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
- ^ "Archenemy (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Archived from the original on December 14, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
- ^ "Archenemy Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on December 13, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
- ^ Miska, Brad (December 14, 2020). "Archenemy and Daniel Isn't Real Take Place in Same Universe; Adam Egypt Mortimer Promises a "Vortex Trilogy"! [Exclusive]". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on December 15, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2021.