Passengers (2016 film)#Release
{{short description|American science-fiction film}}
{{use American English|date=March 2019}}
{{use mdy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Passengers
| image = Passengers 2016 film poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Morten Tyldum
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Stephen Hamel
- Michael Maher
- Neal H. Moritz
- Ori Marmur
}}
| writer = Jon Spaihts
| starring = {{Plainlist|
}}
| music = Thomas Newman
| cinematography = Rodrigo Prieto
| editing = Maryann Brandon
| studio = {{Plainlist|
- Columbia Pictures{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/passengers-review-953702 |title='Passengers': Film Review |last=Linden |first=Sheri |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 15, 2016 |access-date=September 7, 2020 |archive-date=October 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001084046/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/passengers-review-953702 |url-status=live }}
- LStar Capital
- Village Roadshow Pictures
- Wanda Pictures
- Original Film
- Company Films
- Start Motion Pictures
}}
| distributor = Sony Pictures Releasing
| released = {{Film date|2016|12|14|Regency Village Theater|2016|12|21|United States}}
| runtime = 116 minutes{{cite web |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/passengers-film |title=Passengers (12A) |work=British Board of Film Classification |date=December 8, 2016 |access-date=December 8, 2016 |archive-date=August 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815042921/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/passengers-film |url-status=dead }}
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $110–150 million{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=passengers2016.htm |title=Passengers (2016) |work=Box Office Mojo |publisher=IMDb |access-date=May 12, 2017 |archive-date=April 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408015816/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=passengers2016.htm |url-status=live }}{{Cite journal |last=FilmL.A. |date=May 2017 |title=2016 Feature Film Study |url=https://www.filmla.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2016_film_study_WEB.pdf |journal=FilmL.A. Feature Film Study |access-date=April 14, 2018 |archive-date=July 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731191957/https://www.filmla.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2016_film_study_WEB.pdf |url-status=live }}
}}
Passengers is a 2016 American science fiction romantic film directed by Morten Tyldum, written by Jon Spaihts and starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt. The supporting cast features Michael Sheen, Laurence Fishburne, and Andy García. The film follows two passengers on an interstellar spacecraft carrying thousands of people to a colony 120-years-traveling-distance from Earth, when the two are awakened 90 years early from their suspended hibernation.
The script was written in 2007 by Spaihts, but languished in development with multiple actors attached and detached from it over the years until Sony Pictures Entertainment acquired its rights in late 2014. Lawrence, Pratt and Tyldum quickly joined the project, and filming spanned from September 2015 to February 2016 in Atlanta. It was produced by Village Roadshow Pictures, Start Motion Pictures, Original Film, LStar Capital, Wanda Pictures and Company Films, and was the last film from Columbia Pictures with the involvement of Village Roadshow Pictures.
Passengers premiered at the Regency Village Theater in Los Angeles on December 14, 2016, and was released theatrically in the United States by Columbia Pictures on December 21, 2016. It received mixed reviews, with praise for Pratt's and Lawrence's performances, Thomas Newman's musical score, and its visual style and production values, but was criticized for its plot and characters.{{cite web |date=December 21, 2016 |last=Giles |first=Jeff |title=Sing Is Mostly On Key |url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/sing-is-mostly-on-key/ |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-date=November 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127233947/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/sing-is-mostly-on-key/ |url-status=live }} It grossed $304 million worldwide and was nominated for Best Original Score and Best Production Design at the 89th Academy Awards.
Plot
The Avalon, a sleeper ship transporting 5,000 colonists and 258 crew in hibernation pods, is traveling from Earth to the planet Homestead II, a 120-year journey as part of an exodus of Earth's population due to ecocide and the collapse of the biosphere.{{Cite book |title=Avenging nature: the role of nature in modern and contemporary art and literature |date=2020 |publisher=Lexington Books |isbn=978-1-7936-2144-3 |editor-last=Valls Oyarzun |editor-first=Eduardo |series=Ecocritical theory and practice |location=Lanham Boulder New York London |chapter=Chapter 17: Ecocritical Archaeologies of Global Ecocide in Twenty-First-Century Post-Apocalyptic Films |editor-last2=Gualberto Valverde |editor-first2=Rebeca |editor-last3=Malla García |editor-first3=Noelia |editor-last4=Colom Jiménez |editor-first4=María |editor-last5=Cordero Sánchez |editor-first5=Rebeca}}
After only 30 years, an asteroid collision damages the ship, causing a malfunction that awakens passenger Jim Preston, a mechanical engineer, 90 years early. He is unable to return to hibernation, and cannot contact Earth for help due to an overly long communication delay. He attempts to break into the crew hibernation room, in the hopes they will be able to help. He fails due to the strength of the ship's security systems.
As the ship's AI systems cannot seem to comprehend the idea of a hibernation pod malfunction (as it had never occurred before), Jim eventually gives up, passing the time in several of the ship's entertainment zones.
After a year of isolation, with only an android barman named Arthur for company, Jim grows despondent and contemplates suicide, until he notices Aurora Lane, a beautiful young woman inside a pod. He considers reviving her for companionship, but struggles doing so, knowing it is morally wrong and will preclude her intended life on their destination planet.
Jim eventually awakens Aurora, letting her believe it was a malfunction. Devastated at having to live out her life on the ship, she tries to reenter hibernation. Resigned to the situation, she begins writing about her experience.
Over the next year, the two fall in love. Just before Jim intends to propose to Aurora, Arthur inadvertently reveals the truth about her awakening. Distraught and enraged, Aurora berates, shuns, and physically attacks Jim. She furiously rejects his apologies and avoids contact with him.
Sometime later, another pod failure awakens Gus Mancuso, a deck chief officer. Using Gus's employee code, the group gets on the bridge and discovers cascading failures in the ship's systems. If left unrepaired, the ship will fail, causing the passengers and crew to perish.
When Gus falls critically ill, the ship's automated medical suite, the Autodoc, diagnoses pansystemic necrosis and gives him hours to live. He attributes it to his hibernation pod's multiple failures. Before dying, Gus gives Jim and Aurora his ID badge and employee code to get into crew-only areas.
Jim and Aurora find hull breaches from the asteroid collision two years earlier. The computer module administering the ship's fusion reactor power plant has been damaged, causing the cascading malfunctions as the other systems' computing power was diverted in an attempt to maintain it.
They replace the damaged module but when the computer attempts to vent the reactor to extinguish a runaway plasma reaction, the exterior vent fails. Jim is forced to spacewalk and vent the plasma from outside, using the manual controls in the vent tube.
Jim discovers that he must remain in the tube to keep the vent open while Aurora initiates venting from inside the ship. Revealing her feelings for him, she admits she is terrified of losing him and being alone.
Jim improvises a heat shield and survives the venting but is blasted into space as his tether snaps, and his damaged spacesuit begins losing oxygen. Aurora retrieves a clinically dead Jim from space and resuscitates him in the Autodoc. The Avalon, its reactor repaired, returns to normal operations.
After burying Gus in space, Jim learns the Autodoc can function as a hibernation pod for one person, so he insists that Aurora use it for the remainder of the voyage. Realizing she would never see Jim again, she chooses to remain awake with him.
Eighty-eight years later, the ship's crew awaken on schedule, shortly before arrival at Homestead II. In the ship's grand concourse, they discover a huge tree with trailing vines, lush vegetation, flying birds, and a small cabin. A recording of Aurora's story describes the wonderful life she and Jim shared on the Avalon.
Cast
- Chris Pratt as Jim Preston, a mechanical engineer
- Jennifer Lawrence as Aurora Lane, a journalist and writer
- Michael Sheen as Arthur, an android bartender on the Avalon
- Laurence Fishburne as Gus Mancuso, the chief deck officer
- Andy García (in a non-speaking role) as Captain Norris, commanding officer of the Avalon
- Julee Cerda and Nazanin Boniadi as hologram instructors
- Aurora Perrineau as Celeste, Aurora's best friend seen in a video message
Emma Clarke, Chris Edgerly, Matt Corboy, Fred Melamed, and screenwriter Jon Spaihts voice the Avalon, InfoMat, video game, observatory, and Autodoc, respectively.
Production
=Development=
File:Ori Marmur John Spaihts Guy Hendrix Dyas.jpg, Producer Ori Marmur and writer Jon Spaihts on set during filming.]]
In Jon Spaihts's original 2007 script, Aurora's surname was Dunn.{{Cite news |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/passengers-michael-sheen-jennifer-lawrence-chris-pratt-1201535570/ |title=Michael Sheen Joins Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt in 'Passengers' |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=July 17, 2015 |newspaper=Variety |language=en |access-date=November 25, 2016 |archive-date=November 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118135838/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/passengers-michael-sheen-jennifer-lawrence-chris-pratt-1201535570/ |url-status=live }} At one point in the film's development, it was set to star Keanu Reeves and Emily Blunt.Hawkes, Rebecca (November 24, 2016). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/09/20/passengers-trailer-plus-everything-you-need-to-know-about-jennif/ "Passengers: watch the new trailer, plus all you need to know about Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt's sci-fi romance"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214065927/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/09/20/passengers-trailer-plus-everything-you-need-to-know-about-jennif/ |date=February 14, 2018 }}. The Daily Telegraph. Other actors temporarily attached to it included Reese Witherspoon and Rachel McAdams.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/jennifer-lawrence-chris-pratts-sci-802876 |title=Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt's Sci-Fi 'Passengers' Nears Green Light After Sony Behind-the-Scenes Drama |author=Kim Masters |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=June 16, 2015 |access-date=April 13, 2016 |archive-date=June 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616230618/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/jennifer-lawrence-chris-pratts-sci-802876 |url-status=live }} Brian Kirk was originally set to make his feature directorial debut with Reeves in the lead.{{cite web |title=Keanu Reeves Sci-Fi Film 'Passengers' Gets a 'Game of Thrones' Director |date=April 18, 2013 |url=https://screenrant.com/keanu-reeves-passengers-movie-game-thrones-director/ |publisher=screenrant.com |access-date=July 16, 2013 |archive-date=July 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726234246/http://screenrant.com/keanu-reeves-passengers-movie-game-thrones-director/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Sci-Fi Pic 'Passengers' to Star Keanu Reeves, with Brian Kirk Directing and Wayfare Entertainment Producing |url=https://deadline.com/2013/04/keanu-reeves-passengers-sci-fi-movie-casting-477974/ |access-date=July 16, 2013 |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=April 18, 2013 |archive-date=June 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622105339/http://www.deadline.com/2013/04/keanu-reeves-passengers-sci-fi-movie-casting/ |url-status=live }} On December 5, 2014, it was announced that Sony Pictures Entertainment had won the rights to the film,{{cite news |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |title=Sony Wins Auction For Jon Spaihts Sci-Fi Script 'Passengers' |url=https://deadline.com/2014/12/passengers-sony-pictures-jon-spaihts-1201311532/ |access-date=December 7, 2014 |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 5, 2014 |archive-date=December 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210143337/http://deadline.com/2014/12/passengers-sony-pictures-jon-spaihts-1201311532/ |url-status=live }} and in early 2015, Morten Tyldum was chosen to direct.{{cite news |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |title=Sony Engaging 'Imitation Game' Helmer Morten Tyldum For Space Saga 'Passengers' |url=https://deadline.com/2015/01/morten-tyldum-passengers-the-imitation-game-sony-1201359938/ |access-date=January 28, 2015 |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=January 27, 2015 |archive-date=January 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129021251/http://deadline.com/2015/01/morten-tyldum-passengers-the-imitation-game-sony-1201359938/ |url-status=live }} He had always wanted to do a big-scale sci-fi movie, but also stressed the importance of character development over effects.{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/09/19/sneak-peek-exclusive-passengers-jennifer-lawrence-chris-pratt/90621180/ |title=Sneak peek: 'Passengers' puts Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt in space |author=Brian Truitt |work=USA Today |date=September 20, 2016 |access-date=September 20, 2016 |archive-date=September 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919214529/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/09/19/sneak-peek-exclusive-passengers-jennifer-lawrence-chris-pratt/90621180/ |url-status=live }}
The final cast was announced between February 2015 and January 2016.{{cite news |last=Kroll |first=Justin |title=Jennifer Lawrence in Talks for Sci-Fi Drama 'Passengers' |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/jennifer-lawrence-passengers-new-movie-hunger-games-1201426676/ |access-date=February 8, 2015 |work=Variety |date=February 6, 2015 |archive-date=February 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208064244/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/jennifer-lawrence-passengers-new-movie-hunger-games-1201426676/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Sneider |first=Jeff |title=Chris Pratt in Talks to Star Opposite Jennifer Lawrence in Sony's 'Passengers' |url=https://www.thewrap.com/jennifer-lawrence-in-talks-to-star-in-sonys-space-romance-passengers/ |access-date=February 8, 2015 |work=TheWrap |date=February 6, 2015 |archive-date=February 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208090813/http://www.thewrap.com/jennifer-lawrence-in-talks-to-star-in-sonys-space-romance-passengers/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Kroll |first=Justin |title=Michael Sheen Joins Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt in 'Passengers' |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/passengers-michael-sheen-jennifer-lawrence-chris-pratt-1201535570/ |access-date=August 6, 2015 |work=Variety |date=July 17, 2015 |archive-date=November 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118135838/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/passengers-michael-sheen-jennifer-lawrence-chris-pratt-1201535570/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Ford |first1=Rebecca |last2=Siegel |first2=Tatiana |title=Laurence Fishburne Joining Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt in 'Passengers' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/laurence-fishburne-joining-jennifer-lawrence-813143 |access-date=August 6, 2015 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 5, 2015 |archive-date=August 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807184347/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/laurence-fishburne-joining-jennifer-lawrence-813143? |url-status=live }} Lawrence was paid $20 million against 30% of the profit after the movie broke even. Pratt received $12 million.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/hollywood-salaries-2016-who-got-933037/item/hollywood-salaries-revealed-who-got-933050 |title=Hollywood Salaries 2016: Who Got Raises (and Who Didn't), From Movie Stars to Showrunners |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=September 29, 2016 |access-date=October 1, 2016 |archive-date=October 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002010242/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/hollywood-salaries-2016-who-got-933037/item/hollywood-salaries-revealed-who-got-933050 |url-status=live }}
=Filming=
Principal photography began on September 15, 2015, at Pinewood Atlanta Studios in Fayette County, Georgia,{{cite web |url=http://www.vcpost.com/articles/94516/20150925/jennifer-lawrence-chris-pratts-latest-film-passengers-started-filming-atlanta.htm |title=Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt's Latest Film "Passengers" Has Started Filming in Atlanta; JLaw Spotted in Freshly Bleached Blonde Locks |date=September 25, 2015 |access-date=September 27, 2015 |publisher=Venture Capital Post |archive-date=March 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313140953/http://www.vcpost.com/articles/94516/20150925/jennifer-lawrence-chris-pratts-latest-film-passengers-started-filming-atlanta.htm |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Barraclough |first1=Leo |title=Pinewood Atlanta Studios Selects Tech Guru Frank Patterson as President |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/pinewood-atlanta-studios-tech-guru-frank-patterson-president-1201921781/ |access-date=April 4, 2021 |work=Variety |date=November 18, 2016 |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408221955/https://variety.com/2016/film/news/pinewood-atlanta-studios-tech-guru-frank-patterson-president-1201921781/ |url-status=live }} with most of it involving the two leads only. Rodrigo Prieto was cinematographer, and Maryann Brandon was film editor.{{cite web |url=http://www.awardscircuit.com/2016/03/09/2016-awards-profile-passengers-morten-tyldum/ |title=2016 Awards Profile: 'Passengers' from Morten Tyldum |author=Jack Moulton |work=Awards Circuit |date=March 9, 2016 |access-date=September 7, 2016 |archive-date=October 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020012825/http://www.awardscircuit.com/2016/03/09/2016-awards-profile-passengers-morten-tyldum/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/passengers-following-gravity-interstellar-and-the-martian-what-you-need-to-know-about-this-years-big-a6936316.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/passengers-following-gravity-interstellar-and-the-martian-what-you-need-to-know-about-this-years-big-a6936316.html |archive-date=May 25, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Passengers: Following Gravity, Interstellar and The Martian, what you need to know about this year's big space movie |author=Christopher Hooton |work=The Independent |date=March 17, 2016|access-date=September 7, 2016}} Filming wrapped on February 12, 2016.{{cite web |title=Director James Gunn and Actor William H. Macy added to ATLFF lineup |url=http://cwatlanta.cbslocal.com/2016/04/06/director-james-gunn-and-actor-william-h-macy-added-to-atlff-lineup/ |website=CW69 |access-date=June 23, 2018 |language=en |date=April 6, 2016 |archive-date=April 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406215548/http://cwatlanta.cbslocal.com/2016/04/06/director-james-gunn-and-actor-william-h-macy-added-to-atlff-lineup/ |url-status=live }}
=Music=
Thomas Newman composed the score for Passengers.{{cite web |url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2016/09/09/thomas-newman-to-score-morten-tyldums-passengers/ |title=Thomas Newman to Score Morten Tyldum's 'Passengers' |author=Film Music Reporter |work=Film Music Reporter |date=September 9, 2016 |access-date=September 10, 2016 |archive-date=December 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219221838/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2016/09/09/thomas-newman-to-score-morten-tyldums-passengers/ |url-status=live }} Spaihts said that he wrote Passengers while listening to Newman's previous scores.{{cite tweet |number=778291366396735488 |last=Spaihts |first=Jon |user=jonspaihts |title=I wrote #Passengers listening to Thomas Newman. Now he's scoring the film. Dream come true. |date=September 20, 2016|access-date=September 21, 2016}} Imagine Dragons also recorded the song "Levitate" for the soundtrack, which was released on November 29, 2016.{{cite web |last1=Mitchell |first1=Bea |title=Imagine Dragons are back with new track 'Levitate' |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a815448/imagine-dragons-new-track-levitate-passengers-movie-soundtrack/ |website=Digital Spy |access-date=December 7, 2016 |date=November 29, 2016 |archive-date=November 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109212410/http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a815448/imagine-dragons-new-track-levitate-passengers-movie-soundtrack/ |url-status=live }} The Chinese theme song for the film is "Light Years Away", composed by G.E.M.; it became the first Chinese music video to surpass 200 million views in September 2019.{{cite news |last=TAN |first=KENDRA |title=G.E.M Is Now The First Female Mandopop Singer To Have 3 Music Videos With Over 100 Million Views On YouTube |url=https://www.todayonline.com/8days/sceneandheard/entertainment/gem-now-first-female-mandopop-singer-have-3-music-videos-over-100 |access-date=June 23, 2020 |work=TODAYonline |archive-date=June 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623162711/https://www.todayonline.com/8days/sceneandheard/entertainment/gem-now-first-female-mandopop-singer-have-3-music-videos-over-100 |url-status=live }} The Japanese version uses "Because of You" by Juju as its theme song.{{Cite web |title=J・ローレンス×C・プラット「パッセンジャー」日本語テーマソングはJUJU！ : 映画ニュース |url=https://eiga.com/news/20170226/12/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=映画.com |language=ja}}
Marketing
At the 2016 CinemaCon, Passengers was featured by Sony Pictures chairman Thomas Rothman with Lawrence and Pratt in attendance. A teaser trailer of unfinished footage was shown afterward.{{cite web |last1=Orange |first1=B. Alan |title=Spider-Man & Ghostbusters Headline Sony CinemaCon 2016 Presentation |url=https://movieweb.com/cinemacon-2016-sony-presentation-spider-man-ghostbusters/ |website=MovieWeb |access-date=June 23, 2018 |date=April 13, 2016 |archive-date=June 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623193926/https://movieweb.com/cinemacon-2016-sony-presentation-spider-man-ghostbusters/ |url-status=live }} The first official images of the film were released on August 12, 2016.{{cite web |last1=Cavassuto |first1=Maria |title='Passengers': First Photos of Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt Released |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/passengers-photos-jennifer-lawrence-chris-pratt-1201836501/ |website=Variety |access-date=June 23, 2018 |date=August 12, 2016 |archive-date=June 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623222006/https://variety.com/2016/film/news/passengers-photos-jennifer-lawrence-chris-pratt-1201836501/ |url-status=live }}
Release
=Theatrical=
The film had its world premiere at the Regency Village Theater on December 14, 2016. It was released in the United States by Sony Pictures Entertainment on December 21, 2016.{{cite news |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |title=Sony Dates 16 Films Including Two More 'Bad Boys' Sequels, 'Jumanji' Remake |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/sony-films-bad-boys-jennifer-lawrence-passengers-1201557242/ |access-date=September 21, 2015 |work=Variety |date=August 5, 2015 |archive-date=September 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921013115/https://variety.com/2015/film/news/sony-films-bad-boys-jennifer-lawrence-passengers-1201557242/ |url-status=live }}
=Home media=
Passengers was released on DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on March 14, 2017, and made available on digital HD from Amazon Video and iTunes on March 7, 2017.{{cite web |title=Passengers Blu-ray Release Date, News & Reviews - Releases.com |url=https://www.releases.com/p/passengers/blu-ray |website=www.releases.com |language=en |access-date=April 4, 2017 |archive-date=April 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404215531/https://www.releases.com/p/passengers/blu-ray |url-status=live }}
On March 14, 2017, Passengers: Awakening, a virtual-reality experience based on the film launched for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.{{cite web |title=Sony Releases 'Passengers: Awakening' VR Experience |url=https://vrscout.com/news/sony-passengers-awakening-vr-rift-vive/ |website=www.vrscout.com |date=March 14, 2017 |language=en |access-date=May 3, 2017 |archive-date=April 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415082446/http://vrscout.com/news/sony-passengers-awakening-vr-rift-vive/ |url-status=live }}
Reception
=Box office=
Passengers grossed $100 million in the United States and Canada and $203.1 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $303.1 million, against a net production budget of $110 million. It was the second-highest grossing original live-action Hollywood release of 2016, after La La Land.
Passengers opened alongside Sing and Assassin's Creed, and was initially expected to gross around $50 million from 3,478 theaters over its first six days, although the studio anticipated a more conservative $35 million debut.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/12/rogue-one-star-wars-passengers-jennifer-lawrence-sing-collateral-beauty-will-smith-christmas-box-office-1201869720/ |title=Will 'Rogue One' Vanquish The Christmas B.O. Competition? |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 13, 2016 |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=December 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205062633/https://deadline.com/2016/12/rogue-one-star-wars-passengers-jennifer-lawrence-sing-collateral-beauty-will-smith-christmas-box-office-1201869720/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=McClintock |first1=Pamela |title=Christmas Box-Office Crush: 'Sing,' 'Passengers,' 'Assassin's Creed' to Battle 'Rogue One' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-projections-sing-passengers-assassins-creed-battle-rogue-one-957607 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 20, 2016 |access-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221132726/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-projections-sing-passengers-assassins-creed-battle-rogue-one-957607 |url-status=live }} After making $1.2 million from Tuesday night previews{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-sing-beats-assassins-creed-passengers-tuesday-previews-958235 |title='Sing's' Box-Office Debut Tops 'Assassin's Creed,' 'Passengers' in Tuesday Night Previews |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 21, 2016 |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=December 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222041214/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-sing-beats-assassins-creed-passengers-tuesday-previews-958235 |url-status=live }} and $4.1 million on its first day, projections for the six-day opening were lowered to $27 million.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/12/why-him-975k-thursday-previews-box-office-1201875344/ |title=With 'Rogue One' & 'Sing', It's A Two-Picture Christmas at the B.O. |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 28, 2016 |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=June 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616030826/https://deadline.com/2016/12/why-him-975k-thursday-previews-box-office-1201875344/ |url-status=live }} It went on to gross $15.1 million in its opening weekend (a six-day total of $30 million), finishing third at the box office behind Rogue One and Sing.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/12/why-him-975k-thursday-previews-box-office-1201875344/ |title=With 'Fences,' 'La La Land' Enter Top 10 As 'Rogue One' & 'Sing' Rule Holiday – Monday AM Update |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 28, 2016 |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=June 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616030826/https://deadline.com/2016/12/why-him-975k-thursday-previews-box-office-1201875344/ |url-status=live }} It became the third-biggest original live-action domestic release of 2016 behind La La Land ($149 million) and Central Intelligence ($126 million).{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2017/03/15/box-office-jennifer-lawrence-chris-pratts-passengers-just-missed-100m-domestic-300m-global/#49e2a5662293 |title=Box Office: Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt's 'Passengers' Was One Of 2016's Bigger Original Grossers |author=Scott Mendelson |magazine=Forbes |date=March 15, 2017 |access-date=March 15, 2017 |archive-date=March 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315234507/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2017/03/15/box-office-jennifer-lawrence-chris-pratts-passengers-just-missed-100m-domestic-300m-global/#49e2a5662293 |url-status=live }}
=Critical response=
On Rotten Tomatoes, Passengers holds an approval rating of 30% based on 288 reviews, with an average rating of 5/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "Passengers proves Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence work well together–and that even their chemistry isn't enough to overcome a fatally flawed story."{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/passengers_2016/ |title=Passengers (2016) |work=Rotten Tomatoes |publisher=Fandango |access-date=April 22, 2023 |archive-date=March 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312044802/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/passengers_2016 |url-status=live }} On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 41 out of 100, based on 48 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/passengers-2016 |title=Passengers Reviews |work=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=December 23, 2016 |archive-date=December 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222040926/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/passengers-2016 |url-status=live }} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale, while PostTrak reported filmgoers gave it a 77% overall positive score.
Mick LaSalle of The San Francisco Chronicle gave the film 3 out of 4 stars, writing: "Despite the confinement and the limited cast, Passengers has moments of intense drama that take the actors to places of extreme feeling."{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Passengers-is-romantic-drama-in-a-sci-fi-10808660.php |title=Love in (or outside) the atmosphere in 'Passengers' |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |last=LaSalle |first=Mick |access-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221134549/http://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Passengers-is-romantic-drama-in-a-sci-fi-10808660.php |url-status=live }} James Dyer of Empire gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, calling it "as surprisingly traditional as it is undeniably effective", and describing it as "Titanic amongst the stars" and "a touching, heartfelt tale of loss and love for the Gravity generation".{{cite magazine |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/passengers-2/review/ |title=Passengers Review |magazine=Empire |access-date=December 20, 2016 |last=Dwyer |first=James |archive-date=December 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222025840/http://www.empireonline.com/movies/passengers-2/review/ |url-status=live }} Peter Keough of The Boston Globe gave it 2.5 out of 4 stars, writing: "Perhaps as a well-written play for a cast of three, Passengers might have been first class. Instead, it's just another mediocre thrill ride."{{cite web |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/movies/2016/12/20/passengers-they-woke-years-too-soon-now-what/XDar5ozs6SLJBQspx7TwCN/story.html |title=Passengers: They woke up 90 years too soon. Now what? |last=Keough |first=Peter |website=The Boston Globe |access-date=April 15, 2017 |archive-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416044732/https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/movies/2016/12/20/passengers-they-woke-years-too-soon-now-what/XDar5ozs6SLJBQspx7TwCN/story.html |url-status=live }} Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian called the film an "appealing sci-fi romance", but criticized its final act as an "anticlimax", giving it 3 out of 5 stars.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/dec/22/passengers-review-chris-pratt-falls-for-jennifer-lawrence-in-space |title=Passengers review – Chris Pratt falls for Jennifer Lawrence in space |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=December 20, 2016 |last=Bradshaw |first=Peter |archive-date=December 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231181721/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/dec/22/passengers-review-chris-pratt-falls-for-jennifer-lawrence-in-space |url-status=live }} Sheri Linden of The Hollywood Reporter said it "concocts a sort of Titanic in outer space, with dollops of 'Sleeping Beauty' and Gravity thrown into the high-concept mix." She praised the striking visual design and elegant costumes, but said that the "heavy-handed mix of life-or-death exigencies and feel-good bromides finally feels like a case of more being less."
Rebecca Hawkes of The Telegraph described the film as not a romance, but "a creepy ode to manipulation", describing the action as a "central act of violence" that is softened and justified.{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/12/16/chris-pratt-jennifer-lawrences-passengers-isnt-romance-creepy/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/12/16/chris-pratt-jennifer-lawrences-passengers-isnt-romance-creepy/ |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence's Passengers isn't a romance: it's a creepy ode to manipulation |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=December 29, 2016}}{{cbignore}} Andrew Pulver of The Guardian called it an "interstellar version of social-media stalking" with "a fantastically creepy start" that, contrary to romantic comedies that managed to "plane down" the nastiness of stalking tactics, presented them in a way where they were "gruesomely inescapable".{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/dec/15/passengers-review-spaceship-romcom-scuppered-chris-pratt-jennifer-lawrence |title=Passengers review – spaceship romcom scuppered by cosmic creep |author=Andrew Pulver |work=Guardian |date=December 15, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2016 |archive-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106203530/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/dec/15/passengers-review-spaceship-romcom-scuppered-chris-pratt-jennifer-lawrence |url-status=live }} Alissa Wilkinson of Vox called it "a fantasy of Stockholm syndrome, in which the captured eventually identifies with and even loves the captor" and "a really disturbing wish fulfillment fantasy".{{Cite news |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2016/12/21/14005762/passengers-review-spoilers-jennifer-lawrence-chris-pratt |title=Passengers is 3 movies in one, each creepier than the last |last=Wilkinson |first=Alissa |newspaper=Vox |access-date=December 29, 2016 |archive-date=December 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230001844/http://www.vox.com/culture/2016/12/21/14005762/passengers-review-spoilers-jennifer-lawrence-chris-pratt |url-status=live }}
{{Anchor|Other response}}
Lawrence was initially proud of the film, but agreed with suggestions that it might have benefited from a different edit, starting with her character waking up.{{cite magazine |date=August 9, 2017 |last=Romano |first=Nick |title=Jennifer Lawrence Gets Candid About 'Passengers' Criticism |url=https://ew.com/movies/2017/08/09/jennifer-lawrence-passengers-criticism/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=June 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512211324/https://ew.com/movies/2017/08/09/jennifer-lawrence-passengers-criticism/ |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |date=August 9, 2017 |last=Gay |first=Jason |title=Jennifer Lawrence on Her New Movie, New Relationship, and How She Stays So Damn Relatable |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/jennifer-lawrence-vogue-september-issue-2017-cover |website=Vogue |quote=There was just stuff that I wished I’d looked into deeper before jumping on. |access-date=October 4, 2020 |archive-date=August 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809143423/https://www.vogue.com/article/jennifer-lawrence-vogue-september-issue-2017-cover |url-status=live }} Later, she expressed regret over starring in the film, saying that Adele had advised her against it and that she should have listened.{{cite news |title=Who Is Jennifer Lawrence Now? |first=Kyle |last=Buchanan |date=November 2, 2022 |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/02/movies/jennifer-lawrence-causeway.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102131139/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/02/movies/jennifer-lawrence-causeway.html |archive-date=2022-11-02 |quote=Adele told me not to do it! She was like, 'I feel like space movies are the new vampire movies.' |access-date=December 2, 2022 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2022/11/jennifer-lawrence-adele-passengers-1234778354/ |title=Jennifer Lawrence Says Adele Told Her Not to Do 'Passengers': 'I Should Have Listened' |first=Ryan |last=Lattanzio |date=November 2, 2022 |website=IndieWire |access-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102140526/https://www.indiewire.com/2022/11/jennifer-lawrence-adele-passengers-1234778354/ |url-status=live }} Producer Neal H. Moritz said he loved the film and thought the script was one of the best he had ever read. He pointed out that it was well received at test screenings, but that shortly before its release the media picked up on one review and "it became a mantra". He "thought it was a really unfair thing because I think it's a beautiful film I couldn't be more proud of."
=Accolades=
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.passengersmovie.com}}
- {{IMDb title|1355644}}
- {{TCMDb title|2019508}}
- {{Mojo title|passengers2016}}
- {{rotten-tomatoes|passengers_2016}}
- {{Metacritic film}}
{{Morten Tyldum}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2010s adventure films
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Category:Films produced by Neal H. Moritz
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