He Went That Way is a 2023 American crime drama film directed by Jeffrey Darling in his directorial debut, and starring Jacob Elordi and Zachary Quinto. The film is based on the actual events of the serial killer Larry Ranes encountering animal trainer Dave Pitts.[3]
| He Went That Way | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Jeffrey Darling |
| Screenplay by | Evan M. Wiener |
| Based on | Luke Karamazov by Conrad Hilberry |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Sean Bagley |
| Edited by | Adam Wills |
| Music by |
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Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Vertical Entertainment |
Release dates |
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Running time | 96 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $4,339[2] |
He Went That Way had its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival on June 9, 2023. The film was released by Vertical Entertainment in the United States on January 5, 2024.
Premise
editThis section needs an improved plot summary. (January 2024) |
The film follows Jim Goodwin, an animal trainer accompanied by his pet chimpanzee, who picks up a hitchhiker later revealed to be a serial killer. It is inspired by real life events involving serial killer Larry Lee Ranes.
Cast
edit- Jacob Elordi as Bobby Falls, a serial killer based on Larry Lee Ranes
- Zachary Quinto as Jim Goodwin, an animal trainer based on Dave Pitts
- Patrick J. Adams as Saul
- Troy Evans as Hank
- Alexandra Doke as Whitney
- John Lee Ames as Ratso
Production
editHe Went That Way was announced on June 2, 2021, at the virtual Marché du Film, when it was reported that Jacob Elordi and Zachary Quinto would star in the thriller based on Conrad Hilberry's non-fiction book Luke Karamazov. The film was produced by Head Gear Films, Teashop Productions, and Mister Smith Entertainment. It was the directorial debut of Jeffrey Darling, who died in a surfing accident in North Palm Beach in Sydney, Australia on March 27, 2022.[4][5][6] It is based on a screenplay by Evan M. Wiener.[7] According to executive producer Phil Hunt, the production was able to cast Quinto by going through a friend of the actor instead of his agent.[8] Filming took place on location in Los Angeles, California.[9]
Release
editThe film premiered at the Tribeca Festival on June 9, 2023.[10] In October 2023, Vertical Entertainment acquired distribution rights to the film.[11] It was released in a limited release on January 5, 2024, prior to video on demand on January 12, 2024.[12]
Reception
editOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 26% of 31 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.5/10.[13]
David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter wrote that "it plays like a tonally uncertain blend of desert neo-noir, prickly buddy movie, misfit character study and crime thriller, with zero psychological grounding and even less suspense".[14] Christian Zilko of IndieWire called the film "a competent but emotionally thin story", and gave it a grade of B−.[15]
Patrice Witherspoon of Screen Rant described the film as "a dumpster fire from start to finish", criticizing the plot, tonal shifts, and performances, except for Quinto's performance, which she praised as the film's highlights.[16]
References
edit- ^ "He Went That Way (15)". BBFC. October 30, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ "He Went That Way".
- ^ "Ice-skating animal trainer's harrowing ride across America with a serial killer — and a chimp — is now a movie". Chicago Sun-Times. January 6, 2024.
- ^ "Believe Media remembers Jeffrey Darling". Reel 360 News. April 2, 2022.
- ^ Barnes, Mike (March 29, 2022). "Jeff Darling, Australian Cinematographer and Director, Dies at 60". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ "Filmmaker Jeff Darling passes away while surfing". NepalNews. March 29, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (June 2, 2021). "Jacob Elordi & Zachary Quinto To Star In True Crime Thriller He Went That Way – Cannes Virtual Market". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
- ^ Roxborough, Scott; Ritman, Alex (November 2, 2021). "AFM: Indies Battle for Talent as Studios and Streamers Lock Up A-Listers". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
- ^ Robb, David (January 19, 2022). "Los Angeles On-Location Filming Sets Quarterly Record, Doubling Since 2020, FilmLA Says". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
- ^ "He Went That Way | 2023 Tribeca Festival".
- ^ Grobar, Matt (October 17, 2023). "True-Life Serial Killer Thriller 'He Went That Way' Starring Jacob Elordi, Zachary Quinto & Patrick J. Adams Acquired By Vertical". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- ^ McArdle, Tommy (December 14, 2023). "Jacob Elordi Plays a Killer Hitchhiker Picked Up by Zachary Quinto in He Went That Way Trailer (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
- ^ "He Went That Way". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ^ Rooney, David (June 9, 2023). "'He Went That Way' Review: Jacob Elordi and Zachary Quinto in True Crime Misfire Awkwardly Stuck Between Genre Cracks". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ^ Zilko, Christian (June 9, 2023). "He Went That Way Review: A Serial Killer, A Drifter, and His Monkey Get Into a Car…". IndieWire. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ^ Witherspoon, Patrice (June 14, 2023). "He Went That Way Review: Quinto Outshines His Captor In Disastrous Crime Thriller". Screen Rant. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
