Boss Level

{{short description|2021 science fiction action film by Joe Carnahan}}

{{About|the film|the video game term "boss level"|Boss (video games)}}

{{Infobox film

| name = Boss Level

| image = Boss Level poster.jpg

| caption = Official release poster

| director = Joe Carnahan

| producer = {{Plainlist|

}}

| screenplay = {{Plainlist|

Chris Borey
Eddie Borey
Joe Carnahan

}}

| story = {{Plainlist|

Chris Borey
Eddie Borey

}}

| starring = {{Plainlist|

}}

| music = Clinton Shorter

| cinematography = Juan Miguel Azpiroz

| editing = Kevin Hale

| studio = {{Plainlist|

Highland Film Group
Emmett/Furla Oasis
Diamond Film Productions
MoviePass Films
The Fyzz Facility
Ingenious Media
WarParty Films

}}

| distributor = Hulu

| released = {{Film date|2020|2|11|Los Angeles|ref1={{cite web |url=https://collider.com/boss-level-screening-joe-carnahan-frank-grillo/ |title=L.A. Readers: Win Free Tickets to Our Advance Screening of 'Boss Level' with Q&A |last=Weintraub |first=Steve |website=Collider |date=February 7, 2020 |access-date=March 12, 2022 |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216045047/https://collider.com/boss-level-screening-joe-carnahan-frank-grillo/ |url-status=live }}|2021|2|25|Australia|ref2={{cite web |url=https://www.eventcinemas.com.au/Movie/Boss-Level |title=Release|website=Event Cinemas: Boss Level |publisher=Event Cinemas |access-date=27 February 2021}}|2021|3|5|United States}}

| runtime = 100 minutes{{cite web |url=https://www.thefilmcatalogue.com/films/boss-level |title=Boss Level |website=The Film Catalogue |access-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216045119/https://www.thefilmcatalogue.com/films/boss-level |url-status=live }}

| country = United States

| language = English

| budget = $45 million

| gross = $2 million{{cite web |title=Boss Level (2021) - Financial Information |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Boss-Level#tab=summary |website=The Numbers}}

}}

Boss Level is a 2021 American science fiction action film directed by Joe Carnahan and written by Carnahan and Chris and Eddie Borey, from a story by the Boreys. It stars Frank Grillo as a retired special forces soldier who tries to escape a never-ending time loop that results in his death. Mel Gibson, Naomi Watts and Michelle Yeoh co-star.

Originally announced in 2012 as Continue, it was developed by Carnahan at 20th Century Fox but did not move forward. It was reannounced in November 2017, with Carnahan, Grillo, Randall Emmett and George Furla producing. Filming took place in Georgia from March to May 2018. It was scheduled for release by Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures on August 16, 2019, but was delayed. It was released in the United States on March 5, 2021 by Hulu.

Plot

Roy Pulver, a retired Delta Force soldier in Atlanta, has been stuck in a time loop for nearly 140 days and has learned the day's patterns through many previous loops. He wakes at 07:00 AM each day, avoids an assassin in his apartment and an attack by a gunman in a helicopter outside his window, then escapes his apartment before it explodes. He has been able to elude more assassins throughout the morning, but finds himself unable to figure out how to survive a final attack at 12:47 PM, waking up back in his apartment on the next loop.

On the day before Roy entered the loop, his estranged wife Jemma had asked Roy to visit her at defense contractor Dynow Labs under the pretense of a job interview. The two argue over Joe, their son, whom Jemma has led to believe that Roy is just a family friend. When Colonel Clive Ventor, head of Dynow, discovers Roy near Jemma's highly classified project, he has him escorted out, but not before Jemma obtains a sample of Roy's hair.

In one loop, Roy tries to call Jemma but instead reaches Ventor, who tells him that Jemma died from a lab accident the day before. Roy becomes suspicious. On a later loop, he finds Joe at Underground Atlanta, skipping school for a video game tournament. Roy spends the day with Joe but does not mention Jemma's death. The assassins arrive to kill Roy - who uses his body to protect Joe - telling him, as he dies, that he is his father.

When Roy next wakes, he realizes that the assassins had followed him using a dental tracking device implanted by Alice, his date from the night before, who is a dental hygienist. Through more trial-and-error loops, Roy finds a way to remove the tracker and sneak into Dynow, killing several guards and assassins, but is always stopped by Ventor and the sword wielding Guan Yin. Ventor reveals to Roy that Jemma's project is the Osiris Spindle, a quantum device capable of rewriting history, which Ventor plans to use to set himself up as the world's dictator. Ventor admits he was responsible for Jemma's death after an argument the night before. As she had started the Spindle and no one else knows how to operate it, Ventor warns Roy the Spindle will destroy the world if it runs too long.

On further loops, Roy makes the connection to the Egyptian god of the afterlife, Osiris, from a book with a hidden message that Jemma gifted him for his birthday, and he realizes that Jemma must have placed him in the Spindle to stop Ventor. While he is able to further infiltrate Dynow and kill Ventor after learning sword fighting from "daily" lessons from Dai Feng, Roy learns the assassins were sent to kill Joe, and arrives too late. As he mourns over Joe, the Osiris Spindle explodes and destroys the world.

Roy spends several loops in a despondent state, then decides to spend several more loops with Joe, staying with him until the Spindle's explosion. In one loop, he learns that Jemma had called Joe that morning, later than he previously thought she was still alive, and realizes he can save her. After determining the exact time and place she died at Ventor's hands in Dynow, fourteen minutes after he wakes up, Roy uses the next loop to hijack the helicopter, get to Dynow, kill the waiting assassins, and stop Ventor before he kills Jemma.

Roy tells Jemma he has been spending his loops with Joe, and that he has seen the end of the world. Jemma tells Roy that he has to enter the Osiris Spindle in order to reset it, and that either he would wake up and repeat the day once more or die and stay dead. Roy kisses Jemma before entering the spindle as Jemma looks on in awe. Roy reawakens back in bed and tells himself not to die as the attacks begin.

The international release ends as he enters the Spindle. No mention is made of having to repeat the day, but rather that he may "cease to be" if he enters the Spindle.

Cast

{{cast listing|

Frank Grillo as Roy Pulver
Mel Gibson as Colonel Clive Ventor
Naomi Watts as Jemma Wells
Annabelle Wallis as Alice
Ken Jeong as Chef Jake
Will Sasso as Brett
Selina Lo as Guan Yin
Meadow Williams as Pam
Michelle Yeoh as Dai Feng
Mathilde Ollivier as Gabrielle
Rob Gronkowski as the Helicopter Gunner (credited as "Gunner")
Rio Grillo as Joe

}}

In addition, Sheaun McKinney plays Dave, the counter surveillance expert, and Armida Lopez plays Esmeralda the chauffeur while the remaining assassins are: Buster Reeves as Mr. Good Morning; Eric Etebari as Roy #2; Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Rashad Evans as the German Twins; Adam Simon as Loudmouth; Aaron Beelner as Marshall / Kaboom; and Michael Tourek as Smiley. Director Joe Carnahan cameos as a patron in the bar.

Production

In January 2012, Joe Carnahan announced that he was working on the film, originally titled Continue, for 20th Century Fox, and described it as "Groundhog Day as an action movie", inspired by video game rules.{{cite web |url=http://movieline.com/2012/01/09/joe-carnahan-talks-killing-pablo-and-continue-described-as-groundhog-day-as-an-action-movie/ |title=Joe Carnahan Talks Killing Pablo and Continue, Described as 'Groundhog Day as an Action Movie' |last=Yamato |first=Jen |work=Movieline |date=January 9, 2012 |access-date=December 2, 2020}} In May 2012, it was reported that Fox was moving forward with the project.{{cite web| url=http://twitchfilm.com/news/2012/05/breaking-joe-carnahans-continue-moving-ahead-at-20th-century-fox.php |title=BREAKING: Joe Carnahan's CONTINUE Moving Ahead At 20th Century Fox |last=Brown |first=Todd |work=Twitch |date=May 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601155007/http://twitchfilm.com/news/2012/05/breaking-joe-carnahans-continue-moving-ahead-at-20th-century-fox.php |archive-date=June 1, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 2, 2020}} In September 2012, Carnahan posted screen tests that he had filmed with actor Frank Grillo on Twitter, saying he was sharing them "to show you how cool this movie could have been..."{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/joe-carnahan-continue-screen-tests/ |title=Joe Carnahan Shares Frank Grillo Screen Tests for GROUNDHOG DAY Actioner CONTINUE |last=Chitwood |first=Adam |work=Collider |date=September 6, 2012 |access-date=December 2, 2020 |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216045057/https://collider.com/joe-carnahan-continue-screen-tests/ |url-status=live }}

In November 2017, it was reported that Grillo and Mel Gibson were negotiating to star in the film, now titled Boss Level, with Carnahan writing and directing.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/11/mel-gibson-frank-grillo-joe-carnahan-boss-level-1202208150/|title=Mel Gibson, Frank Grillo In Talks For Joe Carnahan-Directed 'Boss Level'|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr. |date=November 15, 2017|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=February 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216045037/https://deadline.com/2017/11/mel-gibson-frank-grillo-joe-carnahan-boss-level-1202208150/|url-status=live}} Further casting continued in March 2018 with the additions of Will Sasso, Naomi Watts, Annabelle Wallis and Rob Gronkowski.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/will-sasso-boss-level-mel-gibson-frank-grillo-joe-carnahan-1202337004/|title=Will Sasso Joins Mel Gibson-Frank Grillo Action Thriller 'Boss Level'|last=Pedersen|first=Erik|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=March 13, 2018|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=February 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216045048/https://deadline.com/2018/03/will-sasso-boss-level-mel-gibson-frank-grillo-joe-carnahan-1202337004/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/naomi-watts-boss-level-mel-gibson-frank-grillo-1202736640/|title=Naomi Watts Eyes Action Movie 'Boss Level' With Frank Grillo and Mel Gibson (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=March 26, 2018|website=Variety|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=December 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205000844/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/naomi-watts-boss-level-mel-gibson-frank-grillo-1202736640/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/annabelle-wallis-boss-level-joe-carnahan-frank-grillo-mel-gibson-1202354137/|title=Annabelle Wallis Lands A Lead In 'Boss Level'|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr. |date=March 27, 2018|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=February 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216045058/https://deadline.com/2018/03/annabelle-wallis-boss-level-joe-carnahan-frank-grillo-mel-gibson-1202354137/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.tracking-board.com/rob-gronkowski-goes-hollywood-after-all-joins-frank-grillo-mel-gibson-in-action-movie-boss-level-exclusive/|title=Rob Gronkowski Goes Hollywood After All, Joins Frank Grillo, Mel Gibson in Action Movie "Boss Level" (Exclusive)|last=Sneider|first=Jeff|date=March 28, 2018|website=The Tracking Board |access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=February 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216045048/https://www.tracking-board.com/rob-gronkowski-goes-hollywood-after-all-joins-frank-grillo-mel-gibson-in-action-movie-boss-level-exclusive/|url-status=live}} Filming began that month in Savannah, Georgia.{{cite web |url=https://productionlist.com/filming-march-mel-gibson-stars-boss-level/ |title=Filming in March: Mel Gibson and Frank Grillo Star in Action-Thriller Boss Level |website=Production List |publisher=Film & Television Industry Alliance |date=February 12, 2018 |access-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216045049/https://productionlist.com/filming-march-mel-gibson-stars-boss-level/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.projectcasting.com/casting-calls-acting-auditions/mel-gibsons-boss-level-is-now-filming-in-georgia/|title=Mel Gibson's 'Boss Level' is Now Filming in Georgia|author=Project Casting|date=March 10, 2018|website=Project Casting|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=February 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216045051/https://www.projectcasting.com/casting-calls-acting-auditions/mel-gibsons-boss-level-is-now-filming-in-georgia/|url-status=live}} Ken Jeong, Mathilde Ollivier, Selina Lo and Michelle Yeoh joined the cast the following month.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/04/ken-jeong-mathilde-ollivier-mel-gibson-boss-level-movie-1202359080/|title=Ken Jeong & Mathilde Ollivier Join Mel Gibson In 'Boss Level' Thriller|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|date=April 5, 2018|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=February 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216045047/https://deadline.com/2018/04/ken-jeong-mathilde-ollivier-mel-gibson-boss-level-movie-1202359080/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/global/selina-lo-michelle-yeoh-cast-boss-level-1202770241/|title=Selina Lo, Michelle Yeoh Join Cast of 'Boss Level' (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Frater|first=Patrick|date=March 20, 2018|website=Variety|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=June 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606040713/https://variety.com/2018/film/global/selina-lo-michelle-yeoh-cast-boss-level-1202770241/|url-status=live}}

In April 2018, filming took place in Atlanta, including in Pullman Yard, the Oakland City MARTA station, and near the Georgia Aquarium. Filming also took place in Decatur.{{cite web| url=https://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/whats-filming-in-atlanta-now-stranger-things-boss-level-dr-birds-advice-for-sad-poets-plus-snl-gets-an-atlanta-host/ |title=What's filming in Atlanta now? Stranger Things, Boss Level, Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets; plus SNL gets an Atlanta host |last=Walljasper |first=Matt |work=Atlanta |date=April 27, 2018 |access-date=November 25, 2020}} A restaurant scene was filmed in Atlanta on May 12 and 13, 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/world/now-casting-mel-gibson-film-seeking-asians/3uwVFnmSwBzhY5Wi8ROTrI/ |title=Now casting: Mel Gibson film seeking Asians |last=Caldwell |first=Mary |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=May 9, 2018 |access-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216045049/https://www.ajc.com/news/world/now-casting-mel-gibson-film-seeking-asians/3uwVFnmSwBzhY5Wi8ROTrI/ |url-status=live }} On May 13, Screen Daily reported that filming had wrapped.{{cite web |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/highland-unveils-deals-on-action-film-boss-level-with-mel-gibson-naomi-watts-exclusive/5129242.article |title=Highland unveils deals on action film 'Boss Level' with Mel Gibson, Naomi Watts (exclusive) |last=Kay |first=Jeremy |website=Screen Daily |date=May 13, 2018 |access-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216045051/https://www.screendaily.com/news/highland-unveils-deals-on-action-film-boss-level-with-mel-gibson-naomi-watts-exclusive/5129242.article |url-status=live }} The film's budget was $45 million.

Release

In April 2018, Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/joe-carnahan-boss-level-byron-allen-1202754215/|title=Joe Carnahan's 'Boss Level' Bought by Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios|website=Variety|first=Dave|last=McNary|date=April 16, 2018|access-date=June 30, 2020|archive-date=February 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216045051/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/joe-carnahan-boss-level-byron-allen-1202754215/|url-status=live}} It was scheduled to be released on August 16, 2019,{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/boss-level-release-date-frank-grillo-mel-gibson/|title=Boss Level: Release Date and Details for Mel Gibson Actioner|website=Den of Geek|first1=David|last1=Crow|first2=Joseph|last2=Baxter|date=May 10, 2019|access-date=June 30, 2020|archive-date=February 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216045100/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/boss-level-release-date-frank-grillo-mel-gibson/|url-status=live}} but missed its release date.{{cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/boss-level-release/ |title='Boss Level', a Joe Carnahan Time Loop Movie Starring Frank Grillo and Mel Gibson, Heads to Hulu |last=Evangelista |first=Chris |website=/Film |date=November 23, 2020 |access-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216045131/https://www.slashfilm.com/boss-level-release/ |url-status=live }}

A special free advance screening of the film, sponsored by entertainment website Collider, was held at the ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood on February 11, 2020, followed by a {{linktext|Q&A}} session with Grillo and Carnahan.{{cite web| url=https://collider.com/boss-level-frank-grillo-joe-carnahan-interview/ |title=An Extremely Candid Q&A with 'Boss Level' Filmmakers Joe Carnahan and Frank Grillo | last=Weintraub | first=Steve|website=Collider |date=February 18, 2020 |access-date=November 25, 2020}}

In June 2020, Entertainment Studios dropped the film.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mel-gibson-has-busy-film-slate-renewed-anti-semitism-claim-1300903|title=Mel Gibson Has Busy Film Slate Despite Renewed Anti-Semitism Claim|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Alex|last=Ritman|date=June 30, 2020|access-date=June 30, 2020|archive-date=February 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216045107/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mel-gibson-has-busy-film-slate-renewed-anti-semitism-claim-1300903|url-status=live}} In November 2020, the U.S. distribution rights were acquired in an eight-figure deal by Hulu,{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2020/11/frank-grillo-mel-gibson-hulu-boss-level-us-deal-1234620349/ |title=Hulu Strikes U.S. Deal For Frank Grillo Action Sci-Fi Movie 'Boss Level' |last=Wiseman |first=Andreas |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=November 23, 2020 |access-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216045108/https://deadline.com/2020/11/frank-grillo-mel-gibson-hulu-boss-level-us-deal-1234620349/ |url-status=live }} which was later revealed to be worth $11,750,000. The film was released on March 5, 2021.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/boss-level-premiere-date-frank-grillo/|title=Frank Grillo's Boss Level to premiere on Hulu in March|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|first=Samantha|last=Highfill|date=January 12, 2021|access-date=January 12, 2021|archive-date=February 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216045058/https://ew.com/movies/boss-level-premiere-date-frank-grillo/|url-status=live}}

In July 2021 Blumhouse Productions sued the producers of the film for breach of contract. Blumhouse asserts that they were brought in to recut the film after the original version failed to secure distribution, but have not been compensated for their work, which was to be 5% of the acquisition fee paid by Hulu. Blumhouse also sued Hulu for continuing to stream their cut of the film after being sent multiple cease and desist notices.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/blumhouse-sues-boss-level-1234976782/|title=Blumhouse Sues 'Boss Level' Producers, Hulu Over Recutting Deal |website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Ashley|last=Cullins|date=July 1, 2021|access-date=July 2, 2021}}

It was released in the United Kingdom on Amazon Prime Video.{{cite web |author=Joe Draper |title=Watch Captain America star's new movie online for FREE |url=https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/watch-captain-america-stars-movie-060000800.html |website=UK Yahoo! Movies |date=13 August 2021}}

Reception

On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 74%, based on 87 reviews, with an average rating of 6.50/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "Boss Level powers up the increasingly crowded time-loop genre with a gleefully over-the-top sci-fi action thriller that revels in its own excess."{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/boss_level |title=Boss Level (2021) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=June 20, 2022 }} On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 56 out of 100, based on 16 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/boss-level |title=Boss Level Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=March 31, 2021 }}

Writing for IndieWire, Christian Blauvelt gave the film a grade of B and said, "It's a star part, and Grillo commands it. Most importantly, he gets you to invest in Roy enough that, even without a controller in your hands, you never feel like you're simply watching someone else play a videogame. With no pixels in sight, Grillo gives Boss Level the thing most videogame movie riffs lack: a pulse."{{cite news |last= Blauvelt |first= Christian |title= 'Boss Level' Review: A Welcome Return from Joe Carnahan Is Also the Star Vehicle Frank Grillo Deserves |url= https://www.indiewire.com/2021/03/boss-level-review-joe-carnahan-1234620296/ |date= March 1, 2021 |work= IndieWire |access-date= March 7, 2021}}

The film ranks on Rotten Tomatoes' Best Science Fiction Movies of 2021.{{Cite web |title=The Best Science Fiction Movies of 2021, Ranked |url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-science-fiction-movies-2021/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |language=en-US}}