Muzzle (film)
{{Short description|Film by John Stalberg Jr.}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Muzzle-film-poster-2023.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = John Stalberg Jr.
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- John Stalberg Jr.
- Ford Corbett
- B.D. Gunnell
- David Frigerio
}}
| story = {{Plainlist|
- John Stalberg Jr.
- Carlyle Eubank
}}
| screenplay = Carlyle Eubank
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Aaron Eckhart
- Penelope Mitchell
- Diego Tinoco
- Paul Johansson
- Kyle Smithson
- Delissa Reynolds
- Stephen Lang
}}
| music = Paul Gallister
| cinematography = Pieter Vermeer
| editing = Bella Erikson
| studio = {{Plainlist|
- Highland Film Group
- Slow Burn
- Broken Open Pictures
- Studio 507
}}
| distributor = RLJE Films
| released = {{Film date|2023|09|29}}
| runtime = 100 minutes
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget =
| gross = $7,807{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl514949889/?ref_=bo_we_table_43|website=Box Office Mojo|title=Muzzle|date=October 5, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Muzzle-(2023)#tab=summary|website=The Numbers|title=Muzzle|date=October 5, 2023}}
}}
Muzzle is a 2023 American action-thriller film directed by John Stalberg Jr. and written by Carlyle Eubank. It stars Aaron Eckhart, Penelope Mitchell, Diego Tinoco, Paul Johansson, Kyle Smithson, Delissa Reynolds and Stephen Lang.
Plot
After his K-9 partner is killed in LA’s Skid Row, and he assaults a paramedic for not treating the dog, Officer Jake Rosser plummets deep into an investigation to uncover the truth about who may be responsible. He is forced to attend mandatory therapy in order to retain his K-9 handler status. While doing this he begins his own investigation into his partners death. His investigation leads to a cartel who use K-9’s as well for nefarious purposes.
Cast
{{Cast list|
- Aaron Eckhart as Jake Rosser{{cite web|last=Grater|first=Tom|title=Aaron Eckhart Starring In Thriller 'Muzzle', Highland Launching EFM Sales|date=February 3, 2022|website=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/aaron-eckhart-starring-thriller-muzzle-highland-efm-sales-1234925761/|accessdate=December 21, 2022}}
- Penelope Mitchell as Mia
- Diego Tinoco as Hernandez
- Stephen Lang as Leland{{cite magazine|last=Ritman|first=Alex|title=Stephen Lang, Nick Cassavetes, Diego Tinoco Join Aaron Eckhart Thriller 'Muzzle' (Exclusive)|date=May 18, 2022|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/stephen-lang-nick-cassavetes-diego-tinoco-aaron-eckhart-muzzle-1235149376/|accessdate=December 21, 2022}}
- Delissa Reynolds as Detective Ramos
- Kyle Smithson as Officer O'Keefe
- Grainger Hines as Aldo Damon
- Nick Searcy as Captain Freeman
- Paul Johansson as Officer Reed
- Hemky Madera as Santiago Perez
}}
Production
Principal photography took place in Louisville, Kentucky in August 2022.{{cite web|last=Suckow|first=Alex|title='Muzzle': What we know about the new thriller being shot in Louisville|date=August 20, 2022|website=WLKY|url=https://www.wlky.com/article/movie-shot-lousivlle-kentucky-eckhart-homeless-camp/40932778|accessdate=December 21, 2022}}{{cite web|last=Villei|first=Matt|title=Aaron Eckhart Makes a Furry Friend in First Image for John Stalberg Jr.'s 'Muzzle'|date=September 9, 2022|website=Collider|url=https://collider.com/muzzle-movie-image-aaron-eckhart-john-stalberg-jr/|accessdate=December 21, 2022}}
Release
Muzzle was released by RLJE Films on September 29, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=2023-08-16 |title=Aaron Eckhart Action-Thriller Muzzle Sells to RLJE (Exclusive) |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/aaron-eckhart-action-thriller-muzzle-sells-to-rlje-1235697612/ |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=Variety}}
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 36%, with an average score of 5.3/10, based on reviews from 11 critics.{{cite Rotten Tomatoes|title=Muzzle|id=muzzle|type=m|access-date=29 March 2024}}
Sheila O'Malley of RogerEbert.com awarded the film one and a half stars.{{cite web|last=O'Malley|first=Sheila|title=Muzzle|date=September 29, 2023|website=RogerEbert.com|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/muzzle-movie-review-2023|accessdate=September 29, 2023}}
Sequel
In May 2024, a sequel titled Muzzle: City of Wolves was announced with Aaron Eckhart set to reprise his role as Jake Rosser and John Stalberg Jr. returning to direct.{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/global/aaron-eckhart-muzzle-city-of-wolves-sequel-1236007449/ |title= Aaron Eckhart Returning for Canine Action Thriller Sequel ‘Muzzle: City of Wolves’ (EXCLUSIVE) |publisher=Variety|access-date=October 19, 2024}} The script will be written by Jacob Michael King from a story by Carlyle Eubank and Stalberg Jr which will follow Rosser as he attempts to lead a peaceful life with his family and retired K-9 companion, Socks, only for a ruthless gang to target them in a brutal attack sending him in search of vengeance in the criminal underworld to protect his family.
References
{{reflist}}