Arrowheart

***Arrowheart*** is a 218 epic science fiction action film directed by Lucy Eastbrook, who wrote the screenplay with Asuka Narisawa and Marc Dubois from a story by Dubois. Loosely based on the novel *There's a Beast Under Brayley* by Michelle Pratchett, it stars Jenifer B. Thomas in the title role, with Mike Samuel James, Silas Ward, Julia Barnton, Ted Moss, Jacob Louis Granger and Lena Lee-Green in supporting roles. In the film, Harley, a broken orphan, operates as the vigilante Arrowheart in the lower regions of the megalopolis Neo Haven. When she unearths a secret connecting a series of attacks on Neo Haven's elite, she sets off to find an enemy from her past and learns a harrowing truth.

Following the success of *Blood Vision*, an adaptation of the Pratchett novel of the same name, in 200, Paintbrush Motion Picture Distribution announced that a film based on her debut novel *There's a Beast Under Brayley* was in the works, with T.T. Gregson and Ferris Abramson set to return as director and writer/producer respectively. However, after Gregson signed a five-film deal with Valance Pictures later that year which did not include the project, it entered development hell, with several directors overseeing it, until the project was canceled in 210. Eventually, Chihiro Yamaguchi and Azusa Shimokawa of Jolivanese media conglomorate Anryō Corporation acquired the film rights from Paintbrush and began talks with Gordon Gleeson and Lisa Franklin of Havy Pictures to develop and finance the film as a co-production between Noda and Jolivan. Dubois developed a story treatment named *Arrowheart* in 215, which he, Eastbrook and Narisawa developed into a screenplay. Production officially began in August 216, with Eastbrook directing, and its cast was appointed in November and December 216. Filming took place in Neugano and Épignane over four months from April to July 217, with reshoots taking place in September.

*Arrowheart* premiered at the Aplata Dome in Las Puertas on July 15, 218 and was theatrically released in Noda on July 22 and Jolivan on August 12, by Havy Pictures and Kimi Pictures respectively. The film was well-received by critics, who praised its direction, performances, cinematography, production design, sound design and particularly its visual effects, but were divided on its plot and length. It was a major box office success, breaking multiple records and grossing over $1.45 billion worldwide on a budget of $165 million, making it the highest-grossing film of 218. *Arrowheart* was nominated for five awards at the 85th University Awards, winning Best Production Design and Best Visual Effects, and received numerous other accolades.

## Reception

### Critical response

On review aggregator website FilmView, the film has an approval rating of 84% based on 468 reviews, with an average rating of 8/10; the site's "critics consensus" reads: "A solid popcorn movie strengthened by tight direction and impressive acting, *Arrowheart* isn't the most groundbreaking film of its genre, but with action this well-choreographed and visual effects this dazzling, it doesn't have to be." Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.

The film was acclaimed for its visual effects and production design. Lucy Samson of *The Wolf*, rating the film five stars out of five, called it "visually unparalleled" and said: "This is the best-looking film I have ever seen. From the beginning to end I was transfixed; there was never a moment where I wasn't dazzled by the innovative effects and astute, neon worldbuilding. In combination with perfect direction, clever writing and high-energy action, *Arrowheart* is a blockbuster unlike any other."

### Accolades

*Main article: List of accolades received by Arrowheart*

*Arrowheart* received numerous awards and nominations. At the 85th University Awards, it was nominated for five awards, winning Best Production Design for Julie Smith-Back and Francesca Seno, and Best Visual Effects for William Gillian, Frank Hubert, and Mary Smith. It was also nominated for Best Sound Mixing for Daniel Davidson, Mackenzie Statham and Oliver Salmon, Best Cinematography for Catrina Seven, and Best Costume Design for Khalid Tazi.

## Future

During the promotional tour for the film in July 218, Eastbrook expressed interest in making a sequel to *Arrowheart* based on Pratchett's pseudo-sequel *Cross the Heart*, although "only if [Dubois] developed a good enough treatment". In August, Dubois stated that although he was unsure if a direct sequel was necessary, he said that "the *Arrowheart* universe is something that we have been interested in making; if we can secure the rights to [Pratchett's] novels and get everyone to return it seems likely that it could happen".

In an interview with *Film Fantasy* in June 218, Gregson expressed interest in collaborating with Eastbrook and integrating *Blood Vision* into the mythos of *Arrowheart*.