Fatale (film)

Fatale is a 2020 American thriller film directed by Deon Taylor, from a screenplay by David Loughery. It stars Hilary Swank, Michael Ealy, Mike Colter and Geoffrey Owens. The film was theatrically released in the United States on December 18, 2020, by Lionsgate. The film has received mixed reviews from critics.
==Plot==
A sports agent who's spent his life working toward success, Derrick has everything in the world besides his wife's attention. Growing distant from Traci, Derrick isn't sure what his marriage is supposed to be anymore, accepting a trip to Las Vegas with business partner Rafe, who coaxes his pal to lose his wedding ring and find a female distraction. One emerges in the form of Valerie, a mystery figure who takes to Derrick's flirtations, with the pair soon enjoying a night of sex in a hotel room. Returning home, Derrick tries to repair his relationship with Traci, but during a romantic evening, a masked intruder breaks into their home, trying to kill Derrick. Shaken by the situation, the victim welcomes a police investigation, only to learn that Valerie is the lead detective on the case, introduced to a domestic life she never knew existed. Disturbed by the reunion, Derrick's life grows increasingly complicated as Valerie makes her presence known everywhere he goes, blurring the line between obsessive stalker and law enforcement figure.
==Cast==
* Hilary Swank as Detective Valerie Quinlan
* Michael Ealy as Derrick Tyler
* Mike Colter as Rafe Grimes
* Geoffrey Owens as Bill Cranepool
* Damaris Lewis as Tracie Tyler
* Danny Pino as Carter Haywood
* David Hoflin as Officer Lowe
* Sam Daly as Officer Stallman
* Tyrin Turner as Tyrin Abenathy
* Kali Hawk as Micaela
* Denise Dowse as Valeria
* Ian Stanley as First Officer
==Production==
In August 2018, Hilary Swank joined the cast of the film, with Deon Taylor directing from a screenplay by David Loughery. Taylor, Roxanne Avent, and Robert F. Smith will produce the film, under their Hidden Empire Film Group. Endeavor Content will also produce the film. In September 2018, Michael Ealy, Mike Colter, Damaris Lewis, Tyrin Turner and Geoffrey Owens joined the cast of the film.
===Filming===
Principal photography began in Los Angeles in September 2018.
==Release==
In August 2019, Lionsgate acquired distribution rights to the film. It was initially scheduled to be released on June 19, 2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was then scheduled to be released on October 30, 2020, however, it was pushed to 2021 in early October. However on November 23, 2020, it was moved up to December 18, 2020.
==Reception==
===Commercial performance===
In the United States and Canada, Fatale was released alongside Monster Hunter and was projected to gross $1 million in its opening weekend. The film grossed $330,000 on its first day and ended up opening to only $918,112 from 1,107 theaters, finishing third at the box office.
===Critical response===
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 48% based on 31 reviews, with an average rating of 4.6/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "While it's better than a fair number of other adultery-fueled stalker films, Fatale fails to generate as much heat as the superior erotic thrillers it evokes." Metacritic reports a weighted average score of 43 out of 100 based on 11 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.
Michael Ordona of the Los Angeles Times said it was fun to see Swank in a "different part" than her other films. Glenn Kenny of the New York Times said that although the film "never builds up the froth of lurid delirium that brings genre pictures into a headier dimension, it's got enough juice to hold your attention". Mick LaSelle of the San Francisco Chronicle gave the film 2.5 out of 4 stars, saying that although the movie was "not necessarily good", the film "involves some real craftsmanship in terms of story".
Christy Lemire of RogerEbert.com was more critical in her review and gave the film 1 out of 4 stars, saying that it "never fulfills its promise as a lurid, guilty pleasure".
==References==
==External links==
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Category:2020 films
Category:2020 thriller films
Category:American films
Category:American thriller films
Category:Films directed by Deon Taylor
Category:Films postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Category:Films scored by Geoff Zanelli
Category:Films shot in Los Angeles
Category:Films with screenplays by David Loughery
Category:Summit Entertainment films