Upcoming Movies: The Shrouds (2024) by David Cronenberg

About movie: https://www.janusfilms.com/films/2266

Link Review: https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/the-shrouds-review-david-cronenberg-1235007047/

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20212786/

Theatrical Release: "The Shrouds" premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2024. It opened in New York and Los Angeles on April 18, 2025, and will expand nationwide in the United States on April 25, 2025. It will also have a theatrical release in Canada later in 2025.

Detailed Summary: "The Shrouds" centers on Karsh (Vincent Cassel), an innovative businessman and grieving widower who has invented GraveTech, a controversial technology that allows people to monitor the decaying bodies of their loved ones in real-time using technologically enhanced burial shrouds. Karsh is deeply mourning the loss of his wife of 43 years, and his invention becomes a morbid way to stay connected with her remains. The film unfolds as a mystery when several GraveTech plots are vandalized, and the corpses appear to be developing unusual nodes on their bones, possibly linked to the Chinese technology behind the shrouds. Karsh becomes entangled in a labyrinthine plot involving surveillance, paranoia, and conspiracy, seeking help from his former brother-in-law, Maury (Guy Pearce), while also dealing with vivid dreams of his late wife and the reappearance of her near-identical sister (both played by Diane Kruger).

Plot Summary: Karsh, a businessman consumed by grief after the death of his wife, Carolyn, channels his sorrow into creating GraveTech, a company that offers burial shrouds with live-streaming capabilities, allowing clients to watch the decomposition of their deceased loved ones. When several graves in the GraveTech cemetery are desecrated, Karsh embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind the vandalism. His investigation leads him down a twisted path of conspiracy and suspicion, involving his former brother-in-law and the unsettling possibility of surveillance tied to the technology he created.

Director's Vision: "The Shrouds" is a deeply personal film for David Cronenberg, written following the death of his wife. His vision blends his signature body horror elements with a profound exploration of grief, loss, and the intersection of technology with death. Cronenberg aims to delve into the human experience of mourning, including the often-overlooked aspect of missing physical intimacy. He also incorporates satirical elements that critique the pervasive power of technology in modern life, touching upon themes of surveillance, AI, and the blurring lines between the corporeal and the digital.

Themes:

• Grief and Mourning: The film serves as a personal exploration of the intense emotions and obsessive behaviors that can accompany grief, showing Karsh's desperate attempts to maintain a connection with his deceased wife.

• Technology and Death: Cronenberg examines the unsettling ways in which technology can be integrated into death and mourning practices, raising questions about surveillance, privacy, and the commodification of grief.

• The Body and Decay: In line with Cronenberg's filmography, the film features themes of bodily transformation and the decaying nature of the physical form, albeit within the context of death and remembrance.

• Conspiracy and Paranoia: The plot involves a conspiracy surrounding the GraveTech technology, touching upon anxieties about data theft, AI, and the influence of powerful entities.

• Memory and Connection: Karsh's desire to constantly view his wife's decaying body highlights the human need to maintain a connection with loved ones after death, even in unconventional ways.

Key Success Factors:

• David Cronenberg's Return to Filmmaking: As a renowned and influential director of body horror and thought-provoking cinema, Cronenberg's latest work is highly anticipated.

• Personal and Introspective Narrative: The film's deeply personal connection to Cronenberg's own experience with grief lends it a unique emotional weight and sincerity.

• Intriguing and Disturbing Premise: The concept of live-streaming the decomposition of bodies is inherently unsettling and creates a compelling hook for the story.

• Exploration of Timely Themes: The film tackles contemporary anxieties about technology, privacy, and how we cope with loss in the digital age.

• Strong Performances: Vincent Cassel and Diane Kruger are noted for their compelling portrayals in the film.

Summary Short: Grieving widower and innovative businessman Karsh invents a technology to monitor the decay of the dead, only to become embroiled in a conspiracy following the desecration of graves at his cemetery.

Awards and Nominations: "The Shrouds" was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. David Cronenberg also received the João Bénard da Costa Special Jury Award at the Lisbon Film Festival (LEFFEST) in 2024 for the film. It was also included in TIFF's annual Canada's Top Ten list for 2024.

Critics Reception: Critical reception to "The Shrouds" has been generally favorable, with a 69% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 80 reviews, and a Metacritic score of 65 out of 100. The consensus on Rotten Tomatoes reads, "Ruminating on the love within loss, The Shrouds is a personal and peculiar examination of grief by director David Cronenberg." While some reviews were more divided after its Cannes premiere, reception improved at later festivals like TIFF and NYFF.   

Reviews:

• RogerEbert.com: Called it a Cronenbergian body horror of integrity and force, more a play of ideas than a straightforward horror movie.

• JoBlo: Described it as an intriguing exploration of grief, a hard film to describe as it blends horror with drama, sci-fi, and black comedy.

• Rough Cut Cinema: Highlighted the film's haunting and visceral sequences, serving to deepen Cronenberg's long-standing preoccupations with the body and soul.

• Cinematary: Noted the film's deeply personal nature and its exploration of bodily intimacy within grief, also touching on Big Tech anxieties.

Overall Summary of Critics Reception: Critics acknowledge the film's personal and peculiar examination of grief, praising its intriguing premise and thematic depth. While some found the narrative occasionally muddled or the graphic elements gratuitous, many recognized it as a thought-provoking work that blends Cronenberg's signature style with a more vulnerable and sincere exploration of loss.

Box Office: "The Shrouds" has grossed $99,434 worldwide according to IMDb.

Production: "The Shrouds" is a co-production between France and Canada. It is written and directed by David Cronenberg. The production companies involved include Saint Laurent Productions, SBS Productions, and Prospero Pictures. Filming took place in Toronto, Canada.

Production Companies:

• Saint Laurent Productions (France)

• SBS Productions (France)

• Prospero Pictures (Canada)

Sales Companies:

• SBS International

Distribution Companies:

• Sideshow and Janus Films released the film in the United States.

• Elevation Pictures distributed the film in Canada.

• Pathé distributed the film in France.

• Plaion Pictures distributed the film in Germany.

Why to Recommend This Movie:

• For Fans of David Cronenberg: It's a return to form for the iconic director, featuring his signature blend of body horror and philosophical themes.

• If You're Interested in Deeply Personal and Thought-Provoking Cinema: The film offers a unique and intimate exploration of grief and loss.

• For Its Intriguing Premise and Mystery: The combination of mourning technology and a conspiracy creates a compelling narrative.

• For Strong Performances by Vincent Cassel and Diane Kruger: Their portrayals bring depth and vulnerability to the complex characters.

Why to Watch Movie:

• To Experience a New Work from a Master of Body Horror: Cronenberg continues to push boundaries and explore the intersection of the physical and the psychological.

• For a Unique Take on Grief and Mourning: The film offers an unconventional and unsettling perspective on how we cope with loss.

• If You Enjoy Films That Blend Genres: "The Shrouds" combines elements of drama, sci-fi, horror, and thriller.

• To Engage with a Film That Has Garnered Recognition at International Film Festivals: Its nomination at Cannes highlights its significance in contemporary cinema.

What Movie Trend film is following:

• Auteur Horror/Sci-Fi: It fits within a trend of established directors returning to or continuing to explore genre films with a personal and artistic vision.

• Films Exploring Themes of Technology and Humanity: The film delves into the impact of technology on our most personal experiences, including death.

What Big Social Trend is following:

• Societal Discussions About Death and Mourning: The film taps into the universal experience of grief and explores how modern technology might alter our relationship with death.

• Anxiety About Technology and Surveillance: The conspiracy elements of the film reflect broader concerns about the pervasive nature of technology and its potential for misuse.

Final Verdict: "The Shrouds" is a deeply personal and thought-provoking film from David Cronenberg that offers a unique and often unsettling exploration of grief in the age of technology. While it may not be for all viewers due to its dark themes and Cronenberg's signature style, fans of the director and those interested in a mature and unconventional take on loss will find it to be a compelling and memorable cinematic experience.

Recommendations for Film Makers:

• Don't Shy Away from Personal and Vulnerable Storytelling: Cronenberg's personal connection to the subject matter lends the film significant emotional depth.

• Explore the Intersection of Technology and Human Emotion: The film effectively uses a fantastical technological concept to examine profound human experiences.

• Blend Genres to Create Unique and Thought-Provoking Narratives: "The Shrouds" seamlessly combines elements of horror, sci-fi, drama, and mystery.

• Trust Your Vision and Don't Be Afraid to Challenge Audience Expectations: Cronenberg's long and acclaimed career is a testament to the power of a distinctive directorial voice.

Recommendations for Movie Industry:

• Continue to Support Established and Visionary Directors: Even those with long careers can continue to create compelling and innovative work.

• Recognize the Value of Films That Tackle Difficult and Personal Subjects: These films can often resonate deeply with audiences.

• Provide Platforms for Films That Push Boundaries and Challenge Conventional Storytelling: "The Shrouds" is an example of cinema that defies easy categorization.

• Support Independent Distribution Companies That Champion Unique and Artful Films: Sideshow and Janus Films play an important role in bringing films like "The Shrouds" to audiences.