Brandy’s A24 Thriller ‘The Front Room’ Finds Streaming Success on Max

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As a passionate cinephile, I must confess that I initially felt let down by the underwhelming box office performance of Max and Sam Eggers’ directorial debut, “The Front Room,” which premiered in September last year. The psychological horror thriller was expected to rake in $5 million at the box office but fell short, barely covering its production budget of $3.2 million. To add insult to injury, it became A24’s lowest-rated movie of 2024 on Rotten Tomatoes with a 42% rating.

However, the story doesn’t end there! Despite its rocky start at the box office, “The Front Room” has since found a new life on streaming platforms. It now stands proudly as the second most streamed movie in Max’s collection, trailing only behind Clint Eastwood’s “Juror #2.” The film’s resurgence serves as a reminder that sometimes, great cinema finds its audience, even if it takes an unconventional path to get there.

The 2016 short story “The Front Room,” penned by Susan Hill, serves as the basis for this drama titled “The Front Room.” In it, Brandy Norwood portrays Belinda, a pregnant woman whose life takes an unexpected turn when her mother-in-law Solange (Kathryn Hunter) decides to move in with Belinda and her spouse. The arrival of Solange stirs up tension; her peculiar habits and odd requests push Belinda to her breaking point. As Solange’s strange behavior escalates, Belinda starts to doubt her own sanity and becomes increasingly concerned for the safety of her unborn child.

In a comeback to the horror genre after twenty years since “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer” in 1998, “The Front Room” was the debut directorial project for the Eggers brothers. Notably, Max Eggers is recognized for his co-writing work on one of A24’s highly praised productions, “The Lighthouse”, with brother Robert who directed the film and has recently taken charge of directing “Nosferatu”.

Where ‘The Front Room’ Succeeds and Fails

According to MovieWeb’s review by Will Sayre, the film’s most intense shocks are hard to stomach, as the movie progressively becomes more disturbing and revolting as it escalates tension. Horror enthusiasts might find this intriguing, but Sayre mentions that the film’s final act is somewhat anticlimactic given the bizarre occurrences within the house. In addition to its unsatisfying ending, The Front Room also received criticism for its confusing plotline and awkward humor.

Many people share the opinion that The Front Room has its strong points, particularly the outstanding performances of its cast members. Hunter, a winner of the Olivier Award, convincingly portrays an unsettling mother-in-law, while Brandy effectively plays the character of Belinda, who is both vulnerable and resilient. However, whether these performances are enough to compensate for the film’s shortcomings may depend on individual perspectives.

As a fan, I can’t help but express my excitement about the stellar cast of “The Front Room,” which includes Andrew Burnap and Neal Huff, alongside Brandy and Hunter. If you’re craving a eerie atmosphere after “The Front Room,” Max has got you covered with timeless classics such as David Lynch’s “Blue Velvet,” “The Craft,” the 1990’s version of “It,” and “It Follows.” Mark your calendars for January 17, as Max will also be streaming Aaron Schimberg’s “A Different Man,” another A24 release that recently garnered Sebastian Stan a Golden Globe. This film chronicles the journey of a struggling actor with neurofibromatosis who undergoes a life-changing medical treatment, leading him on a path of self-discovery. You can stream all these fantastic titles right here on Max!

Discussing a potential sequel to the “I Know What You Did Last Summer” series, there have been talks about Brandy’s possible involvement, although her participation hasn’t been finalized yet. Previously, Brandy, who played Karla Wilson in the 1998 film “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer”, expressed enthusiasm about rejoining the franchise, stating it would be fantastic to do so.

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2025-01-08 18:01