Darren Aronofsky is a director who gets cinephiles excited for a project just by having his name attached. Over the years, he's become one of the more interesting voices in the film industry, calling the shots on a number of acclaimed dramas such as Requiem for a Dream, The Wrestler, and Black Swan. It's for this reason many are looking forward to his next project, mother!, which stars Jennifer Lawrence and Domhnall Gleeson as a couple whose relationship is tested when uninvited guests enter their home.
While Aronofsky himself has been nominated for just a single Oscar, his movies (including ones he just produces), are typically seen as possible awards contenders. It shouldn't be surprising, then, that mother! has received a release date that's in prime awards season territory later this year.
In the same report that revealed Paramount's plans for World War Z 2 and Friday the 13th, THR mentioned that the studio secured an October 13, 2017 premiere for mother!. It will be one of four new arrivals in theaters that weekend, going up against The Commuter, The Snowman, and Marshall. mother! may have an uphill climb at the box office against that competition, but it should stand out as a counter-programming option - especially if it lives up to its on-paper potential.
Not much is known about the film at this point, but there's no denying the amount of talent involved. Joining Lawrence and Gleeson in the ensemble are heavy hitters like Michelle Pfeiffer, Javier Bardem, and Ed Harris. Aronofsky also wrote the script himself. Viewers will probably have a good deal of interest in Lawrence's performance in particular, since the actress has become an Oscars mainstay since her breakthrough in Winter's Bone seven years ago. She's been nominated four times in her relatively short career, winning once for Silver Linings Playbook. mother! could also be a nice showcase for Gleeson, who has done great work in dramas Ex Machina, Brooklyn, and The Revenant.
With Hollywood still in the thick of this awards season, many moviegoers probably don't even want to think about next year's right now. But for those who can't get enough of Oscar prognosticating, mother! certainly looks like one to watch in 2017. Aronofsky is typically consistent, delivering high-quality works that are engaging on multiple levels. His skill as a helmsman is unquestionable, so his latest effort should be a technical and (hopefully) emotional treat. Aronofsky is known for challenging the audience, which could make for a refreshing time at the multiplex this fall.
Source: THR
