The Empty Man (film)

The Empty Man
On top of a plain black background, a silhouette of a man is seen inside the middle "T" of the white THE EMPTY MAN logo; the film's tagline reads "The first night you hear him. The second night you see him. The third he finds you."
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDavid Prior
Written byDavid Prior
Based onThe Empty Man
by Cullen Bunn
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyAnastas Michos
Edited by
  • Andrew Buckland
  • David Prior
Music by
Production
companies
Distributed by20th Century Fox[a][3][4]
Release dates
  • October 22, 2020 (2020-10-22) (Mexico)
  • October 23, 2020 (2020-10-23) (United States)
Running time
137 minutes
Countries
  • United States[3]
  • South Africa[3]
  • United Kingdom[3]
LanguageEnglish
Budget$16 million[5]
Box office$4.8 million[2][4]

The Empty Man is a 2020 supernatural horror film co-edited, written, and directed by David Prior in his feature directorial debut, based on Cullen Bunn's graphic novel The Empty Man published by Boom! Studios. Starring James Badge Dale and Marin Ireland, it follows an ex-cop who, upon an investigation into a missing girl, discovers a secret cult.

Originally filmed in August 2017 as an international co-production between the United States, South Africa, and United Kingdom, the film received poor scores at test screenings and distributor 20th Century Fox lost faith in its commercial prospects. The final product, theatrically released in the United States on October 23, 2020, was still considered a rough edit by Prior. Released in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the film grossed $4 million worldwide against a budget of $16 million. It received mostly negative reviews from critics and audiences at the time of its release. Reception improved after the film came out on home media and streaming services, and it was reported by some publications that The Empty Man gained a cult following.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference RueMorgue was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c "The Empty Man (2020)". The Numbers. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "The Empty Man (2020)". Filmaffinity. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "The Empty Man (2020)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  5. ^ Adam Nayman (May 3, 2021). "Everything Zen: David Prior on "The Empty Man"". Mubi. Retrieved June 30, 2024.


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