Armageddon Time
{{Short description|2022 film by James Gray}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Armageddon Time Poster.jpeg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = James Gray
| writer = James Gray
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Anthony Katagas
- Marc Butan
- Rodrigo Teixiera
- Alan Terpins
- James Gray
- Gustavo Debs
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Anne Hathaway
- Jeremy Strong
- Banks Repeta
- Jaylin Webb
- Anthony Hopkins
}}
| cinematography = Darius Khondji
| editing = Scott Morris
| music = Christopher Spelman
| studio = {{Plainlist|
- RT Features
- MadRiver Pictures
- Keep Your Head
- Spacemaker Productions
}}
| distributor = {{Plainlist|
- Focus Features (United States)
- Universal Pictures (International)
}}
| released = {{Film date|2022|5|19|Cannes|2022|10|28|United States}}
| runtime = 115 minutes{{cite web|url=https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/films/armageddon-time|title=Armageddon Time|website=Cannes Film Festival|access-date=May 9, 2022|archive-date=May 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520155728/https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/films/armageddon-time|url-status=live}}
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $15 million{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/07/focus-features-15-million-worldwide-deal-armageddon-time-james-gray-robert-deniro-oscar-isaac-cate-blanchett-anne-hathaway-1202979422/amp/|title=Focus Features Finalizing $15M WW Deal For James Gray-Directed 'Armageddon Time:' Virtual Cannes|website=Deadline|date=July 7, 2020|access-date=October 10, 2022|archive-date=November 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121131544/https://deadline.com/2020/07/focus-features-15-million-worldwide-deal-armageddon-time-james-gray-robert-deniro-oscar-isaac-cate-blanchett-anne-hathaway-1202979422/amp/|url-status=live}}
| gross = $6.6 million{{cite Box Office Mojo |id=2295104257|title= Armageddon Time (2022) |access-date=November 23, 2022}}{{cite The Numbers |id= Armageddon-Time |title= Armageddon Time (2022) |access-date=December 22, 2022}}
}}
Armageddon Time is a 2022 American coming-of-age drama film written, directed, and produced by James Gray. The film stars Anne Hathaway, Jeremy Strong, Banks Repeta, Jaylin Webb, and Anthony Hopkins. Inspired by Gray's childhood experiences,{{cite news |title=Armageddon Time: James Gray's Apologetic Origin Story |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/2022/10/armageddon-time-james-grays-apologetic-origin-story/ |access-date=4 December 2022 |work=National Review |date=28 October 2022 |archive-date=December 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204033500/https://www.nationalreview.com/2022/10/armageddon-time-james-grays-apologetic-origin-story/ |url-status=live }} the story follows a young Jewish-American boy who befriends an African-American classmate and begins to struggle with his family's expectations and growing up in a time of inequality and prejudice. It was shot in New Jersey and Fresh Meadows, Queens, where Gray grew up.
Armageddon Time had its world premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2022, and was released in the United States via a limited theatrical release on October 28, 2022, by Focus Features, before expanding wide on November 4. It received positive reviews from critics, but failed at the box office, grossing $6.6 million against a production budget of $15 million.
Plot
In 1980 Queens, New York City, on his first day in sixth grade, Jewish-American Paul Graff becomes friends with a rebellious African-American classmate, Johnny Davis. Johnny was held back by a year and gets harsher treatment from their teacher when they both joke around in class. Paul often disassociates from his schoolwork and draws pictures instead.
Paul lives with his financially stable family. He is close with his maternal grandfather, Aaron Rabinowitz, who encourages him to pursue his aspiration to become an artist. His well-meaning but strict parents, Esther and Irving, are less convinced of Paul's career prospects as an artist. At night, Aaron tells Paul the story of how Aaron's mother escaped antisemitic persecution in Ukraine, fleeing to London before eventually emigrating to the U.S. with Aaron and her British husband.
One day, Paul and Johnny are caught smoking a joint in the restrooms, unaware that it's an illegal drug. Furious, Esther allows Irving to beat Paul as punishment. In the hope that he becomes more disciplined, Paul is sent to the Forest Manor Prep private school by his parents, where his older brother Ted is studying. Meanwhile, Johnny stops going to school after being relegated to special education.
Forest Manor is financially supported by famous businessman Fred Trump, who also supports Ronald Reagan in the upcoming presidential election. Many of the students are also Reagan supporters. On Paul's first day, Fred's daughter Maryanne, one of the school's famous alumni, gives a speech to the students about working to earn their success. Paul sees the school's advantages over his previous school but doesn't feel welcome. He is also unnerved by other students' racist comments when Johnny meets with him during recess. Johnny begins living in secret at Paul's clubhouse, having nowhere to go other than living with his sick grandmother, where foster system workers searching for Johnny have begun to visit regularly.
While playing at the park on the weekend, Paul tells Aaron of his struggles at school and how he did nothing when he witnessed racism. Aaron encourages Paul to stand up against prejudice when he sees it, reminding him that while antisemitism still covertly persists, he and his family still have the privilege of being white. Shortly after, Aaron dies of bone cancer, with the family mourning his loss.
Tired of living under high expectations from family and school, as well as the unfair treatment of Johnny, Paul convinces Johnny to steal a computer from school and sell it so they can run away together. After stealing the computer, they are arrested for trying to pawn it. While being interrogated, Paul confesses that it was all his plan. But knowing that he has no options in life, Johnny takes the blame to let Paul go, much to Paul's dismay. Paul and Johnny bid farewell, as Irving arrives to take him home with no consequences because Irving once did the interrogating officer a favor. At home, Irving confesses to Paul that he is sympathetic to his frustration with America's unfair racial inequality, but tells him that they need to survive to have a good life. The two agree to not tell Esther what happened, as she is still mourning her father.
Days later, the Graff family are disappointed by Reagan's victory in the election, while Paul is focused on schoolwork. During a Thanksgiving dance at school, Fred Trump addresses the students, expressing hope that they'll become the next successful elite. A disillusioned Paul leaves during the speech.
Cast
- Banks Repeta as Paul Graff
- Anne Hathaway as Esther Graff, Paul's mother and Aaron's daughter
- Jeremy Strong as Irving Graff, Paul's father
- Jaylin Webb as Johnny Davis, Paul's African-American friend and public school classmate
- Anthony Hopkins as Aaron Rabinowitz, Paul's grandfather
- Tovah Feldshuh as Mickey Rabinowitz, Paul's grandmother and Aaron's wife
- Ryan Sell as Ted Graff, Paul's older brother
- John Diehl as Fred Trump, a famous businessman and financier of Forest Manor Prep private school{{Cite web |last=Rooney |first=David |date=2022-05-19 |title=Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Strong in James Gray's Armageddon Time: Film Review {{!}} Cannes 2022 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/armageddon-time-james-gray-cannes-2022-1235148764/ |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=May 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519182608/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/armageddon-time-james-gray-cannes-2022-1235148764/ |url-status=live }}
- Jessica Chastain as Maryanne Trump, Fred's daughter
- Andrew Polk as Mr. Turkeltaub, Paul and Johnny's public school teacher
- Teddy Coluca as Uncle Louis, Paul's uncle
- Marcia Haufrecht as Aunt Ruth, Paul's aunt
- Dane Zagarino (aka Dane West) as Topper Lowell, Paul's friend at Forest Manor
- Richard Bekins as Forest Manor Headmaster Fitzroy
- Domenick Lombardozzi as Police Sergeant D’Arienzo
- Marcia Jean Kurtz as Forest Manor Student Guide
- Landon James Forlenza as Chad Eastman, Topper's friend
- Eva Jette Putrello as Veronika Bronfman, a Forest Manor student
- Jacob MacKinnon as Edgar Romanelli, a public school student
Production
File:James Gray Premiere of The Lost City of Z at Zoo Palast Berlinale 2017 01.jpg]]
On May 16, 2019, Variety reported that James Gray would write and direct Armageddon Time, a film based on his upbringing in Queens, New York.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/markets-festivals/james-gray-armageddon-time-donald-trump-fred-trump-1203217061/|title=James Gray Writing, Directing Armageddon Time (Exclusive)|date=May 16, 2019|first=Brent|last=Lang|website=Variety|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323130200/https://variety.com/2019/film/markets-festivals/james-gray-armageddon-time-donald-trump-fred-trump-1203217061/|archive-date=March 23, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=October 12, 2021}} Cate Blanchett was cast in May 2020,{{cite web |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |title=Cate Blanchett Joins James Gray, Adam McKay's Next Films (Exclusive) |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/cate-blanchett-james-gray-adam-mckay-1234603499/ |website=Variety |access-date=16 June 2020 |date=May 11, 2020 |archive-date=May 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512044813/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/cate-blanchett-james-gray-adam-mckay-1234603499/ |url-status=live }} with Gray saying she would shoot all her scenes in three days, including a long monologue.{{cite web |last1=Sharf |first1=Zack |title=Cate Blanchett to Play Donald Trump's Sister in James Gray's New Film: 'It's a Real Scene-Stealer' |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2021/03/cate-blanchett-donald-trump-sister-james-gray-armageddon-time-1234624278/ |website=IndieWire |access-date=11 April 2021 |date=March 17, 2021 |archive-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018190501/https://www.indiewire.com/2021/03/cate-blanchett-donald-trump-sister-james-gray-armageddon-time-1234624278/ |url-status=live }} The next month, Robert De Niro, Oscar Isaac, Donald Sutherland, and Anne Hathaway were added to the cast, with plans to film in New York City once the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were minimal.{{cite web |last1=Fleming |first1=Mike Jr. |title=Robert De Niro, Oscar Isaac, Donald Sutherland & Anne Hathaway Join Cate Blanchett In James Gray's Armageddon Time: Hot Virtual Cannes Package |url=https://deadline.com/2020/06/robert-de-niro-oscar-isaac-donald-sutherland-anne-hathaway-join-james-gray-armageddon-time-virtual-cannes-rt-films-1202960380/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=16 June 2020 |date=June 16, 2020 |archive-date=July 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725022445/https://deadline.com/2020/06/robert-de-niro-oscar-isaac-donald-sutherland-anne-hathaway-join-james-gray-armageddon-time-virtual-cannes-rt-films-1202960380/ |url-status=live }}
Filming began in October 2021 in New Jersey.{{cite web|url=https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles/2021/10/11/film-starring-anne-hathaway-anthony-hopkins-and-jeremy-strong-seeks-nj-kids-between-12-17-in-bayonnejersey-city-area/|title=Film Starring Anne Hathaway, Anthony Hopkins, and Jeremy Strong Seeks NJ Kids Between 12-17 In Bayonne/Jersey City Area|date=October 11, 2021|website=New Jersey Stage|access-date=October 15, 2021|archive-date=November 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117195002/https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles/2021/10/11/film-starring-anne-hathaway-anthony-hopkins-and-jeremy-strong-seeks-nj-kids-between-12-17-in-bayonnejersey-city-area/|url-status=live}} It was initially expected to start in early 2021.{{cite web |last1=Welk |first1=Brian |title=Focus Features Closes Deal for James Gray's Armageddon Time (Exclusive) |url=https://www.thewrap.com/focus-features-in-talks-to-finance-and-distribute-james-grays-armageddon-time-with-cate-blanchett/ |website=TheWrap |access-date=21 December 2020 |date=July 28, 2020 |archive-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018190500/https://www.thewrap.com/focus-features-in-talks-to-finance-and-distribute-james-grays-armageddon-time-with-cate-blanchett/ |url-status=live }} In October, it was reported that Anthony Hopkins and Jeremy Strong would also star alongside newcomers Banks Repeta, Jaylin Webb, and Ryan Sell, with Hopkins and Strong replacing De Niro and Isaac, respectively.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/anthony-hopkins-jeremy-strong-anne-hathaway-james-grays-armageddon-time-focus-1234854179/|title=Anthony Hopkins and Jeremy Strong Join Anne Hathaway In James Gray's Armageddon Time For Focus|date=October 12, 2021|first=Justin|last=Kroll|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=October 12, 2021|archive-date=October 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012195435/https://deadline.com/2021/10/anthony-hopkins-jeremy-strong-anne-hathaway-james-grays-armageddon-time-focus-1234854179/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/anthony-hopkins-jeremy-strong-armageddon-time-james-gray/|title=Anthony Hopkins and Jeremy Strong Join James Gray's Armageddon Time With Anne Hathaway|date=October 12, 2021|first=Brian|last=Welk|website=TheWrap|access-date=October 12, 2021|archive-date=October 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018190500/https://www.thewrap.com/anthony-hopkins-jeremy-strong-armageddon-time-james-gray/|url-status=live}} Production wrapped in December 2021, and Andrew Polk and Tovah Feldshuh were confirmed to star.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/armageddon-time-andrew-polk-joins-james-gray-focus-features-film-1234900762/|title=Armageddon Time: Andrew Polk Boards James Gray's Focus Features Coming-Of-Age Film|date=December 22, 2021|first=Matt|last=Grobar|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 22, 2021|archive-date=December 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222183610/https://deadline.com/2021/12/armageddon-time-andrew-polk-joins-james-gray-focus-features-film-1234900762/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Haun |first1=Harry |title=The Book of Tovah: From Jewish Cheerleader to Yentl to Dr. Ruth |url=https://observer.com/2021/12/the-book-of-tovah-from-jewish-cheerleader-to-yentl-to-dr-ruth/ |website=Observer Media |access-date=1 April 2022 |date=December 3, 2021 |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715233811/https://observer.com/2021/12/the-book-of-tovah-from-jewish-cheerleader-to-yentl-to-dr-ruth/ |url-status=live }} Domenick Lombardozzi was revealed as part of the cast in March 2022.{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=Tulsa King: Max Casella, Domenick Lombardozzi, Vincent Piazza & Jay Will Join Sylvester Stallone In Paramount+ Series |url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/tulsa-king-max-casella-domenick-lombardozzi-vincent-piazza-jay-cast-sylvester-stallone-paramount-plus-1234985490/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=1 April 2022 |date=March 24, 2022 |archive-date=April 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415095241/https://deadline.com/2022/03/tulsa-king-max-casella-domenick-lombardozzi-vincent-piazza-jay-cast-sylvester-stallone-paramount-plus-1234985490/ |url-status=live }} Jessica Chastain was later revealed to have replaced Blanchett in a cameo role.{{Cite web |last1=Donnelly |first1=Matt |last2=Vary |first2=Adam B. |date=2022-05-19 |title=Jessica Chastain Plays Surprise Role as Maryanne Trump, Donald Trump's Sister, in Armageddon Time |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/jessica-chastain-maryanne-trump-armageddon-time-cannes-1235272251/ |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=Variety |archive-date=July 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717013943/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/jessica-chastain-maryanne-trump-armageddon-time-cannes-1235272251/ |url-status=live }}
The title comes from The Clash's song "Armagideon Time", which is heard several times in the film.{{cite web |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/nov/09/movie-review-armageddon-time-privilege-and-punk-ro/ |title=Movie Review: 'Armageddon Time': Privilege and punk rock in 1980s Queens |website=spokesman.com |date=November 9, 2022 |access-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203034028/https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/nov/09/movie-review-armageddon-time-privilege-and-punk-ro/ |url-status=live }}
Release
The film premiered at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2022, where it received a seven-minute standing ovation.{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/anne-hathaway-jeremy-strong-armageddon-time-premiere-1235272190/ | title=Anne Hathaway, James Gray Tear up During Seven-Minute Emotional Cannes Standing Ovation for Armageddon Time | date=May 19, 2022 | access-date=May 20, 2022 | archive-date=May 19, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519192125/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/anne-hathaway-jeremy-strong-armageddon-time-premiere-1235272190/ | url-status=live }} It began a limited release in the U.S. on October 28, 2022, before expanding nationwide on November 4.{{cite web |last1=Grobar |first1=Matt |title='Armageddon Time' Release Date: James Gray's Focus Features Drama Set For Fall |url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/armageddon-time-release-date-james-grays-focus-features-drama-set-for-fall-1235060058/ |website=Deadline |date=July 7, 2022 |access-date=July 7, 2022 |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927001012/https://deadline.com/2022/07/armageddon-time-release-date-james-grays-focus-features-drama-set-for-fall-1235060058/ |url-status=live }} It was distributed in the U.S. by Focus Features and internationally by Universal Pictures.
Armageddon Time was released on VOD platforms on November 22, 2022,{{cite web|url=https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/10858/armageddon-time|title=Armageddon Time DVD Release Date|website=www.dvdsreleasedates.com|access-date=November 30, 2022|archive-date=November 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130113310/https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/10858/armageddon-time|url-status=live}} followed by release on home media (Blu-ray and DVD) on January 3, 2023, by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and Studio Distribution Services.{{cite web | url=https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=31860 | title=Armageddon Time Blu-ray | access-date=December 22, 2022 | archive-date=December 22, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222032443/https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=31860 | url-status=live }}
Reception
=Box office=
The film grossed $1.9 million domestically and $4.7 million internationally, for a worldwide total of $6.5 million. Sources such as Variety attributed this performance to poor marketing, a mixed audience reception and the general public losing interest in supporting prestige films in favor of MCU franchise and horror films in a movie-going environment altered by the pandemic.{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/why-she-said-bombed-box-office-oscar-season-flops-fabelmans-1235438084/ | title='She Said' Bombs: Why Aren't Awards Season Movies Resonating with Audiences? | date=November 20, 2022 | access-date=February 19, 2023 | archive-date=January 8, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108023047/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/why-she-said-bombed-box-office-oscar-season-flops-fabelmans-1235438084/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.hollywoodintoto.com/oscar-bait-movies-bomb-box-office/ | title=Panic Time? Oscar-Bait Movies Keep Tanking at Box Office | date=November 6, 2022 | access-date=February 19, 2023 | archive-date=February 19, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219032816/https://www.hollywoodintoto.com/oscar-bait-movies-bomb-box-office/ | url-status=live }}
Gray called the film's financial performance a "failure" and warned that films of its kind would continue to fail commercially, adding,{{cite web | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/armageddon-time-director-anne-hathaway-commercial-failure-1235286964/ | title='Armageddon Time' Director Calls Film a Commercial "Failure" but Dismisses the Importance of Box Office | website=The Hollywood Reporter | date=December 23, 2022 | access-date=January 5, 2023 | archive-date=January 5, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105054804/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/armageddon-time-director-anne-hathaway-commercial-failure-1235286964/ | url-status=live }}
{{blockquote|text=
You’re now in a situation where literally every single one of these [non-franchise] movies is not doing well, and in some ways, that’s the great equalizer ... But you also know as a film person that has absolutely no bearing on the long-term reaction to a film. I’m a film person, and I have no idea what the box office receipts were of, you know, A Clockwork Orange or something. So I try to divorce myself from that as well. Because I can’t do anything about it.
}}
=Critical reception=
{{Expand section|Please add critical reviews|date=January 2023}}
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|score=75|average=6.8|count=224|consensus=Armageddon Time finds writer-director James Gray excavating his own past and returning with a well-acted drama refreshingly free of nostalgia.|ref=yes|access-date=April 6, 2023}} Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 74 out of 100 based on 54 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.{{cite Metacritic|type=movie|id=armageddon-time|title={{PAGENAMEBASE}}|access-date=November 12, 2022}}
Filmmaker Alexander Payne praised the film, saying "James’ film is about himself and his family, but I saw myself and my own struggles with myself and with family. I heard echoes of myself in the choices I made as a kid and continue to make as I stumble my way through life. But no matter how maladroit the actions of his characters, James Gray paints them with compassion and understanding. Understanding — what else is there? We’re not bad people. We’re just doing it all for the first time."{{cite news |title=Directors on Directors: Filmmakers Praise 2022 Favorites Including 'Elvis,' 'White Noise' and 'Tár' |url=https://variety.com/lists/directors-best-films-2022-wes-anderson-guillermo-del-toro-white-noise-elvis/ |work=Variety |date=6 March 2025}}
In March 2025, The New York Times listed Armageddon Time as among "The Movies We've Loved Since 2000."{{Cite web |date=March 17, 2025 |title=The Movies We've Loved Since 2000 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/movies/best-movies-since-2000.html |access-date=April 10, 2025 |website=The New York Times }}
=Accolades=
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
- {{IMDb title}}
- {{Rotten Tomatoes}}
- {{Metacritic film}}
- [https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Armageddon-Time-Read-The-Screenplay.pdf Official screenplay]
{{James Gray}}
Category:2020s coming-of-age drama films
Category:Semi-autobiographical films
Category:African American–Jewish relations
Category:American coming-of-age drama films
Category:2022 independent films
Category:2020s English-language films
Category:Films about dysfunctional families
Category:Films about father–son relationships
Category:Films about friendship
Category:Films about Jews and Judaism
Category:Films about racism in the United States
Category:Films directed by James Gray
Category:Films with screenplays by James Gray
Category:Films impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
Category:Films set in New York City
Category:Films set in Queens, New York
Category:Films set in the 1980s
Category:Films shot in New Jersey