Stress Positions is a 2024 American comedy drama film directed by Theda Hammel (in her feature directorial debut) with a screenplay by Hammel from a story by Faheem Ali and Hammel. It stars John Early, Hammel, Qaher Harhash, Amy Zimmer, Faheem Ali, Rebecca F. Wright, Davidson Obennebo and John Roberts.
| Stress Positions | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Theda Hammel |
| Screenplay by | Theda Hammel |
| Story by |
|
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Arlene Muller |
| Edited by |
|
| Music by | Theda Hammel |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | Neon |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $105,995[1] |
The film premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2024. The film premiered in theaters on April 19, 2024.[2]
Premise
editDuring the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brooklyn, a Moroccan American young man named Bahlul (Qaher Harhash) recovers from a broken leg while quarantining with his uncle Terry (John Early).[3][4]
Cast
edit- John Early as Terry Goon
- Qaher Harhash as Bahlul, Terry's nephew
- Elizabeth Dement as Abigail, Terry's sister and Bahlul's mother
- Theda Hammel as Karla, Terry's best friend
- Amy Zimmer as Vanessa, Karla's girlfriend
- Rebecca F. Wright as Coco, Terry's neighbor
- Faheem Ali as Ronald, a Grubhub worker
- Gordon Landenberger as Friendly Neighborhood Lunatic
- Elias Abawi as Lyft Driver
- John Roberts as Leo
- Davidson Obennebo as Hamadou
- Tarek Ziad as Tarek
- Joe Van O as Photographer
- Macy Rodman as Blonde Model
- Louisa Judge as Blonde Young Woman
Release
editStress Positions premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.[5] It was released on April 19, 2024.[6][7]
Reception
editCritical reception
editOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 73% of 26 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.6/10.[8]
Much of the initial critical reaction to Stress Positions centered on the film's satirical approach to issues of race, gender, and sexuality.[9][3] Writing for The Hollywood Reporter, David Rooney deemed Stress Positions "busy but thin".[10] Ryan Lattanzio of Indiewire noted the film's heavy-handed approach to social issues but praised the "wry humor" and the chemistry between Hammel and Early.[11]
Accolades
edit| Award | Ceremony date | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sundance Film Festival | 26 January 2024 | Sundance Institute/Amazon MGM Studios Producers Award for Fiction | Brad Becker-Parton | Won | [12] |
References
edit- ^ "Stress Positions". The Numbers. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (March 26, 2024). "'Stress Positions' Trailer: John Early Has a COVID Breakdown in a Brilliantly Anxious New York Comedy". IndieWire. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ a b Complex, Valerie (19 January 2024). "'Stress Positions' Review: Noise Undercuts Nuance In Theda Hammel's Neon Dramedy – Sundance Film Festival". Deadline. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Zilko, Christian; Blauvelt, Christian (20 January 2024). "Watch the 'Stress Positions' Cast Discuss Finding the 'Metaphoric Potential' That Turned COVID Into Comedy". Indiewire. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ n.a. "2024 Sundance Film Festival Announces 91 Projects Selected for the Feature Films, Episodic, and New Frontier Lineup for 40th Edition". Sundance. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "Stress Positions". Neon. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (March 26, 2024). "'Stress Positions' Trailer: John Early Has a COVID Breakdown in a Brilliantly Anxious New York Comedy". IndieWire. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Stress Positions". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ Rizov, Vadim (19 January 2024). "Sundance 2024: Stress Positions, Veni Vidi Vici". Filmmaker Magazine. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Rooney, David (19 January 2024). "'Stress Positions' Review: Even John Early Can't Whip Up Much Excitement in Frantic Queer Pandemic Comedy". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (19 January 2024). "'Stress Positions' Review: John Early Is Brilliant in a COVID Comedy That Sees Millennials for Who They Really Are". Indiewire. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "2024 Sundance Film Festival Announces Award Winners". Sundance Institute. Retrieved 6 June 2024.