Winner is a 2024 black comedy drama film directed by Susanna Fogel and written by Kerry Howley. The film stars Emilia Jones as Reality Winner. It also stars Connie Britton, Danny Ramirez, Kathryn Newton and Zach Galifianakis.
| Winner | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Susanna Fogel |
| Screenplay by | Kerry Howley |
| Based on | "Who Is Reality Winner?" by Kerry Howley |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Steve Yedlin |
| Edited by | Joseph Krings |
| Music by | Heather McIntosh |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Vertical |
Release dates |
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Running time | 103 minutes[1] |
| Countries |
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| Language | English |
It had its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2024, and was released on September 13, 2024, by Vertical.
Synopsis
editThe film is based on the life of Reality Winner, who leaked an intelligence report about Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections.[2]
Cast
edit- Emilia Jones as Reality Winner
- Annelise Pollmann as young Reality
- Kathryn Newton as Brittany Winner
- Averie Peters as young Brittany
- Connie Britton as Billie Winner
- Zach Galifianakis as Ron Winner
- Danny Ramirez as Andre
- Shannon Berry as KayLee Thompson
Production
editDescribed as a darkly comedic biopic, Emilia Jones was confirmed to be portraying the whistle-blower Reality Winner from a script written by Kerry Howley based on her own 2017 New York magazine feature, "Who Is Reality Winner?," with Susanna Fogel also on board to direct.[3] It marks the second collaboration between Fogel and Jones following Cat Person.[4]
Casting
editIn October 2022 it was confirmed that principal photography had started with Connie Britton and Zach Galifianakis playing Winner’s parents and Kathryn Newton as her sister.[5] In May 2023 it was revealed Shannon Berry was part of the cast.[6]
Filming
editFilming started around the areas in Winnipeg and elsewhere in Manitoba,[7][8] and was wrapped in November 21, 2022.
Release
editThe film premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2024.[9] In May 2024, Vertical acquired distribution rights to the film.[10] It was released on September 13, 2024.[11]
Reception
editCritical reception
editOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 56% of 18 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.10/10.[12] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 60 out of 100, based on 7 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[13]
See also
edit- Reality (2023), another film based on Reality Winner.
References
edit- ^ "Winner". Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
- ^ "Emilia Jones to Star in 'Winner' as Whistleblower Who Exposed Russia's Interference in 2016 Election". Variety. October 24, 2022. Archived November 1, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Emilia Jones, Connie Britton, Danny Ramirez & More to Star in Susanna Fogel's 'Winner'". Collider. October 24, 2022. Archived November 1, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Emilia Jones and Susanna Fogel's Team Up For Reality Winner Biopic". Womenandhollywood.com. Archived November 1, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Emilia Jones To Lead 'Winner' Biopic From Susanna Fogel; Zach Galifianakis And Connie Britton Also Star". Deadline. October 24, 2022. Archived November 1, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Whittock, Jesse (May 16, 2023). "'Winner': Shannon Berry Joins Susanna Fogel's Biopic About Reality Winner". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ "Emilia Jones, Zach Galifianakis to Star in Manitoba-Shot 'Winner' Biopic". chrisd.ca. October 25, 2022. Archived November 1, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Locally shot film focuses on whistleblower's origin story". winnipegfreepress.com. October 25, 2022. Archived November 1, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Patten, Dominic (December 6, 2023). "Sundance Unveils Packed 2024 Lineup That Includes A.I., Pedro Pascal, Kristen Stewart, Satan, Devo & Steven Yeun". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (May 9, 2024). "Susanna Fogel's 'Winner' Starring Emilia Jones, Connie Britton & Zach Galifianakis Acquired By Vertical". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
- ^ McArdle, Tommy (August 29, 2024). "Winner Trailer: Emilia Jones Stars in New Take on True Story of Reality Winner's NSA Leak (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ "Winner (2024)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ "Winner". Metacritic. Retrieved September 12, 2024.