Catch the Fair One

Kaylee, an American Indian woman and former professional boxer, is now a drug addict living in a women's shelter and working as a waitress. Some time ago, Kaylee's younger sister Weeta was abducted and forced into prostitution by a sex trafficking ring. She is one of the hundreds of young girls who go missing every year. No one has heard of her since, and Kaylee has since been forced to conduct her own search as the authorities show no interest.

After finding a lead on Weeta's whereabouts, Kaylee meets the procurer of a local trafficking ring and convinces him she is desperately in need of money. The man takes pictures, gives her drugs, and masturbates while watching her undress before agreeing to contact a buyer looking for a "Native girl".

Bobby is the son of the ring's kingpin, Willie. Kaylee is chloroformed, tied up, and taken by Bobby to the buyer's home. She wakes up alone in a basement and using a razor blade hidden under her tongue, she cuts herself free. Once Bobby and the buyer arrive, Bobby explains that he knows what she is trying to do and that she will never find her sister. When he leaves the room, and the buyer prepares to rape her, Kaylee pulls out the razor blade, kills the buyer, and runs away. Willie and his crew arrive to get rid of the dead body. Kaylee returns to the house and hides in Bobby's car. She sees Willie hit Bobby and order him to leave.

Bobby goes home to his wife Linda (who has a black eye) and son Junior. When he leaves the room, Kaylee enters the house and ties his family up, putting tape over their mouths to stop them from screaming. Bobby returns and a fight ensues, with Kaylee using her expertise as a boxer to gain the upper hand. After tying him up, Kaylee demands information about her sister, but he refuses to answer. She stabs him in the leg, threatens to cut off Linda's ear, and begins to waterboard him. Bobby refuses to betray his father out of fear and allows himself to drown.

Kaylee interrogates Linda and learns that Willie owns a train yard where he will transport the next "batch" of kidnapped girls. Kaylee arrives at the train yard with only Bobby's gun in her possession. At gunpoint, one of Willie's truck drivers tells her that the girls are in a nearby warehouse. She finds them and tells them to escape when the procurer from before spots her. He runs away and Kaylee shoots him several times. She questions him but he begins to apologize and beg instead. Kaylee walks away, letting the procurer bleed to death. Kaylee reveals that she has hidden Linda and Junior in her car. She orders Linda to take her to Willie, who lives in a mansion.

Inside the house, Linda is greeted by Willie's wife Debra, who says Willie is in the library. She mentions that Linda regularly visited them every time Bobby became aggressive. In the bathroom, Linda messages Kaylee with the correct information about where Willie is but also calls 9-1-1 before leaving. Kaylee holds Willie at gunpoint and asks about Weeta. Debra barges into the room with a gun and accidentally shoots Willie in the face. Kaylee shoots and kills Debra as Debra shoots again, fatally wounding Kaylee in the stomach. In her final moments, Kaylee imagines what her life would have been if she had succeeded, as she envisions herself entering her comeback boxing match.

• Kali Reis as Kaylee
• Daniel Henshall as Bobby
• Tiffany Chu as Linda
• Michael Drayer as Danny
• Lisa Emery as Debra
• Kimberly Guerrero as Jaya
• Kevin Dunn as Willie
• Isabelle Chester as Lisa
• Sam Seward as Jeremiah
• Mainaku Borrero as Weeta
• Wesley Leung as Bobby Jr.

Catch the Fair One was shot in Buffalo, New York, with Ross Giardina serving as cinematographer.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/catch-the-fair-one-review-1235089689/|title=Catch the Fair One: Film Review|date=February 11, 2022|first=Lovia|last=Gyarkye|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=February 12, 2022}} The film was executive produced by Darren Aronofsky.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/nomadland-producer-tribeca-catch-fair-one-memento-darren-aronofsky-1234740809/|title=Memento International Boards Catch The Fair One From Nomadland Producer Mollye Asher & Exec Producer Darren Aronofsky|date=April 21, 2021|first=Andreas|last=Wiseman|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=February 12, 2022}} It is the acting debut of professional boxer Kali Reis, who is active in the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMWIG) movement.{{Cite web |last=Scott |first=Craig |date=2021-02-04 |title=Kali Reis: Everything - or nothing at all |url=https://boxing-social.com/features/kali-reis-everything-or-nothing-at-all/ |access-date=2022-06-11 |website=Boxing Social |language=en-US}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/catch-the-fair-one-indie-spirit-award-kali-reis-icm-authentic-1234932131/|title=ICM & Authentic Talent & Lit Management Sign Catch The Fair One Boxer, Actress & Writer Kali Reis|date=February 11, 2022|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=February 12, 2022}} The film is dedicated to sound mixer Michael Wolf Snyder, who died by suicide at the age of 35.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/michael-wolf-snyder-dead-nomadland-the-rider-sound-mixer-1234708505/|title=Nomadland Production Sound Mixer Michael Wolf Snyder Dies at 35|date=March 6, 2021|first=Alexandra|last=Del Rosario|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=February 12, 2022}}

The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 12, 2021 where it was awarded the Audience Award.{{cite magazine|first=Rebecca|last=Rubin|title=Tribeca Film Festival Unveils 2021 Lineup|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/tribeca-film-festival-2021-lineup-1234955705/|date=April 20, 2021|magazine=Variety|access-date=April 20, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/06/tribeca-festival-attendance-1234781100/|title=Tribeca Festival Draws Solid Crowds In Person And Online For Covid Comeback Edition|date=June 24, 2021|first=Dade|last=Hayes|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=February 12, 2022}} By the end of its run, the film screened at festivals in Deauville,{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/global/deauville-film-festival-2021-competition-red-rocket-pig-1235038237/|title=Pig, Red Rocket, Pleasure in Deauville Festival Competition Lineup|date=August 10, 2021|first=Elsa|last=Keslassy|website=Variety|access-date=February 12, 2022}} Jerusalem,{{Cite web|title=Catch the Fair One|url=https://jff.org.il/en/movie/47035|access-date=2021-10-06|website=Jerusalem Film Festival|language=en}} San Diego,{{Cite web|title=Catch the Fair One|url=https://sdaff.org/2021/movies/catch-the-fair-one/|access-date=2021-10-06|website=San Diego Asian Film Festival|language=en-US}} Warsaw,{{Cite web|title=Warsaw International Film Festival 2021|url=https://mubi.com/it/awards-and-festivals/warsaw?year=2021|access-date=2021-10-06|website=MUBI|language=it}} and Woodstock.{{Cite web|last=Hayes|first=Dade|date=2021-09-01|title=Woodstock Film Festival Announces Slate For This Fall's 22nd Edition|url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/woodstock-film-festival-announces-2021-slate-1234825448/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-06|website=Deadline Hollywood|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901173655/https://deadline.com/2021/09/woodstock-film-festival-announces-2021-slate-1234825448/ |archive-date=September 1, 2021 }} In August 2021, IFC Films bought the film's distribution rights. The film was released in the United States on February 11, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/ifc-films-boxing-catch-the-fair-one-thriller-kali-reis-1235034343/|title=IFC Films Buys Catch the Fair One, Thriller Starring Boxing Champ Kali Reis (Exclusive)|date=August 4, 2021|first=Brent|last=Lang|website=Variety|access-date=February 12, 2022}} In April 2022, IFC Films signed an output deal with AMC+. The film is set to be released on the streaming service on May 13, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/amc-plus-ifc-films-output-deal-friday-night-movie-slate-clean-adrien-brody-1235009599/|title=IFC Films Moves Output Deal To AMC+; Streamer Launches Friday Night Movie Slate With Clean|date=April 26, 2022|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=May 5, 2022}}

In the United States and Canada, the film earned $7,992 from thirty theaters in its opening weekend.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2022W06/|title=Domestic 2022 Weekend 6|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=February 15, 2022}} It made $8,625 from eight theaters in its second weekend,{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2022W07/|title=Domestic 2022 Weekend 7|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=February 23, 2022}} $6,397 from three theaters in its third,{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2022W08/|title=Domestic 2022 Weekend 8|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=March 1, 2022}} $295 from one theater in its fourth,{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2022W09/|title=Domestic 2022 Weekend 9|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=March 8, 2022}} $244 from two theaters in its fifth,{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2022W10/|title=Domestic 2022 Weekend 10|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=March 15, 2022}} and $210 from two theaters in its sixth.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2022W11/|title=Domestic 2022 Weekend 11|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=March 24, 2022}} Overall, it made $35,210.

{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|93|7.3|67|A serious-minded drama that's also a propulsive thriller, Catch the Fair One anchors its powerful performances in real-life horror.|ref=yes|access-date=April 13, 2022}} {{MC film|71|16|ref=yes|access-date=April 13, 2022}}

Screen Rant{{'}}s Mae Abdulbaki said the film was "strongest in action mode".{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/catch-fair-one-2021-movie-reviews/|accessdate=August 3, 2021|last=Abdulbaki|first=Mae|title=Tribeca Review: Catch The Fair One Is An Intensely Captivating Revenge Thriller|website=Screen Rant|date=June 22, 2021}} Nick Schager of The Daily Beast praised the film for its "portrait of white men exploiting Native American women for profit and sexual gratification", adding that "[it] isn't lost on the film..."{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/a-fearless-boxer-infiltrates-a-horrifying-sex-trafficking-ring|last=Schager|first=Nick|title=A Fearless Boxer Infiltrates a Horrifying Sex-Trafficking Ring|website=The Daily Beast|date=June 14, 2021|accessdate=August 3, 2021}} David Ehrlich from IndieWire said "[t]here isn't much for Catch the Fair One to find at the end of the line, but it looks for its invisible women - indigenous and otherwise - with the urgency of someone who knows what seeing them would actually mean".{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2021/06/catch-the-fair-one-kali-reis-review-1234644357/|last=Ehrlich|first=David|title=Catch the Fair One Review: Boxer Kali Reis Delivers a Knockout Performance in Bruising Sex Trafficking Thriller|work=IndieWire|date=June 14, 2021|accessdate=August 3, 2021}}

Catch the Fair One competed for Best Film at festivals in Deauville,{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/global/deauville-film-festival-2021-competition-red-rocket-pig-1235038237/|title=Pig, Red Rocket, Pleasure in Deauville Festival Competition Lineup|date=August 10, 2021|first=Elsa|last=Keslassy|website=Variety|access-date=March 2, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/global/red-rocket-deauville-winners-2021-1235061966/|title=Red Rocket, Blue Bayou and Down With the King Among 2021 Deauville Film Festival Winners|date=September 11, 2021|first=Elsa|last=Keslassy|website=Variety|access-date=March 2, 2022}} and Warsaw,{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/warsaws-top-prize-goes-to-bogdan-george-apetris-miracle/5164358.article|url-access=limited|title=Warsaw's top prize goes to Bogdan George Apetri's Miracle|date=October 18, 2021|first=Martin|last=Blaney|website=Screen Daily|access-date=March 2, 2022}} and won the award at the Sidewalk and Tribeca Film Festivals.{{cite web|url=https://www.sidewalkfest.com/award-winners-from-sidewalk-2021/|title=2021 Sidewalk Film Festival Award Winners|website=Sidewalk Film Festival|date=August 29, 2021 |access-date=March 2, 2022}} Reis won Best Actress at the Newport Beach Film Festival,{{cite web|url=https://newportbeachfilmfest.com/2021-awards/|title=22nd Annual Newport Beach Film Festival Announces 2021 Awards Winners|date=November 1, 2021|website=Newport Beach Film Festival|access-date=March 2, 2022}} and received a nomination in the same category at the 37th Independent Spirit Awards.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/film-independent-spirit-awards-nominations-2022-a-chiara-cmon-cmon-the-lost-daughter-the-novice-zola-round-out-best-feature-1234890775/|title=Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominations: Zola, A Chiara, C'mon C'mon, The Lost Daughter, The Novice In Best Feature Race As A24 Sweeps Nods|date=December 14, 2021|first1=Anthony|last1=D'Alessandro|first2=Jill|last2=Goldsmith|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=March 2, 2022}}

{{Reflist}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Catch the Fair One}}

Category:American thriller films

Category:Protozoa Pictures films

Category:2021 thriller films

Category:2021 films

Category:2020s English-language films

Category:Films about human trafficking in the United States

Category:American films about revenge

Category:IFC Films films

Category:2022 independent films

Category:2022 films

Category:Films about Native Americans

Category:Films about child abduction in the United States

Category:2020s American films

Category:English-language independent films

Category:English-language thriller films