Mandy (2018)

6.5Not Rated121 min

Film by Panos Cosmatos

Mandy is a 2018 surrealist action horror film directed by Panos Cosmatos, from a screenplay he co-wrote with Aaron Stewart-Ahn, and based on a story by Cosmatos. A co-production between Belgium and the United States, it stars Nicolas Cage, Andrea Riseborough, Linus Roache, Ned Dennehy, Olwen Fouéré, Richard Brake, and Bill Duke. The film follows Red Miller (Cage), a lumberjack seeking vengeance against cult leader Jeremiah Sand (Roache), as well as his devout followers, for the murder of the eponymous character and Red's girlfriend, Mandy Bloom (Riseborough).

Mandy premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2018, and was theatrically released in the United States on September 13, 2018. The film was a box office failure, grossing $1.7 million against its $6 million production budget. Despite this, it received critical acclaim, with particular praise for its visual style and originality, Cage's performance, Cosmatos' direction, and the action sequences. The film is widely considered a modern cult classic.

At the 45th Saturn Awards, the film won for Best Independent Film, while Cage was nominated for Best Actor. Benjamin Loeb was nominated for Best Cinematography at the 34th Independent Spirit Awards. Mandy was one of the last films to be scored by composer Jóhann Jóhannsson, who died seven months before the film's release, and the film is dedicated to his memory.

Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

FAQ

What is Mandy about?
Mandy (2018) — Taking place in 1983, Red is a lumberjack who lives in a secluded cabin in the woods. His artist girlfriend Mandy spends her days reading fantasy paperbacks. Then one day, she catches the eye of a crazed cult leader, who conjures a group of motorcycle-riding demons to kidnap her.
Is Mandy based on a true story?
See the production background and source material details on the official Wikipedia article.
Is Mandy scary?
Content rating: Not Rated. See the reviews tab for parental guidance and tone notes.