Blonde (2022 film)

Blonde
Official release poster
Directed byAndrew Dominik
Screenplay byAndrew Dominik
Based onBlonde
by Joyce Carol Oates
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyChayse Irvin
Edited byAdam Robinson[1]
Music by
Production
company
Distributed byNetflix
Release dates
  • September 8, 2022 (2022-09-08) (Venice)
  • September 16, 2022 (2022-09-16) (United States)
  • September 28, 2022 (2022-09-28) (Netflix)
Running time
166 minutes[3]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$22 million[4]

Blonde is a 2022 American biographical[5][6][7] psychological drama film[8] written and directed by Andrew Dominik, based on the 2000 novel by Joyce Carol Oates. The film is a fictionalized take on the life and career of American actress Marilyn Monroe, played by Ana de Armas. The cast also includes Adrien Brody, Bobby Cannavale, Xavier Samuel, and Julianne Nicholson.

Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Tracey Landon, Brad Pitt, and Scott Robertson produced the film. After a lengthy period of development that began in 2010, Blonde entered production in August 2019 in Los Angeles. Production wrapped in July 2021, following the shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The film plays with shifting aspect ratios and alternates between color and black and white.[9]

Blonde premiered at the 79th Venice International Film Festival on September 8, 2022, where it received a 14-minute standing ovation.[10] It began a limited theatrical release in the US on September 16, before its streaming release on September 28 by Netflix. It is the first NC-17-rated film to be released exclusively to a streaming service.[11] The film received polarized reviews from critics and audiences; while de Armas's performance garnered acclaim, the fictionalisation of Monroe's life was considered exploitative and the screenplay was criticised. Blonde received eight nominations at the 43rd Golden Raspberry Awards, winning Worst Picture and Worst Screenplay, while De Armas was nominated for the Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, BAFTA Award, and SAG Award for Best Actress.

  1. ^ Bergeson, Samantha (February 11, 2022). "Andrew Dominik Shuts Down 'Horsesh*t' 'Blonde' NC-17 Rumors for Ana de Armas' Marilyn Monroe Film". IndieWire. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  2. ^ O'Hagan, Sean (August 15, 2021). "'I love the perversity of it': Bad Seed Warren Ellis on how Nina Simone's gum inspired a book". The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  3. ^ Peters, Fletcher (June 16, 2022). "Here's Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe in Netflix's Already Controversial 'Blonde'". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  4. ^ Sharf, Zack (May 11, 2022). "Ana de Armas' 'Blonde' Director 'Surprised' by NC-17 Rating: Film Will Likely 'Offend Everyone'". Variety. Archived from the original on July 27, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  5. ^ Benchetrit, Jenna (September 29, 2022). "How fictional biopic Blonde turns Marilyn Monroe into a symbol of celebrity tragedy". CBC News.
  6. ^ Stein, Ellin (September 28, 2022). "What's Fact and What's Fiction in Blonde, Netflix's Marilyn Monroe Biopic". Slate.
  7. ^ Formo, Brian (September 28, 2022). "'Blonde' Review: Ana de Armas Turns Celebrity Skin into Body Horror as Marilyn Monroe". Collider.
  8. ^ Parkel, Inga (September 27, 2022). "Joyce Carol Oates says Marilyn Monroe went through 'much worse' than anything in Blonde". The Independent.
  9. ^ Travis, Ben (August 30, 2022). "Marilyn Monroe Movie Blonde 'Is Supposed To Create Controversy And Discomfort', Says Ana De Armas – Exclusive". Empire. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  10. ^ Vivarelli, Nick; Sharf, Zack (September 8, 2022). "Ana de Armas Breaks Down in Tears as 'Blonde' Stuns with 14-Minute Standing Ovation in Venice". Variety. Archived from the original on January 26, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  11. ^ Maitland, Hayley; Seth, Radhika (August 16, 2022). "What to Expect From Netflix's Blonde". Vogue. Archived from the original on August 20, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2022.