39 commentaires
Jesse Eisenberg at his most physical preformens. Adrien Brody is really an actor of a generation, and for me Odessa Young is a Revelation. But alongside some powerful scenes and well crafted disturbing imagery, it seems that the creator of the film hasn't quite decided where to take the story. And here it falls short of similar masterpieces like Gone Girl or Power of the Dog.
I saw the film at the Haifa Film festival. It was interesting to see the reaction of the audience, including one husband who, ironically, how couldn't stand the film any longer and informed his wife that he would meet her outside. You'll see which scene it happened in.
I saw the film at the Haifa Film festival. It was interesting to see the reaction of the audience, including one husband who, ironically, how couldn't stand the film any longer and informed his wife that he would meet her outside. You'll see which scene it happened in.
Is this part of the new wave of filmmaking that features protagonists who don't know what they want, and have no goal? Do things happen in this movie? Sure, lot's of things that make no sense whatsoever because the protagonist is a malformed character who basically functions as a broken robot for whoever wrote this. Is he human? Sure. Does he act like any human being ever has? Probably not. Do we care enough about him to want him to succeed? Succeed at what? All he does is meander around making one terrible decision after another as if he had no backbone or even the intelligence of a parrot.
I'll never understand how stuff like this gets greenlit.
I'll never understand how stuff like this gets greenlit.
- MongoLloyd
- 14 nov. 2023
- Permalien
I started watching with no expectations. I was hoping it would be an interesting movie, it turned out not to be only the weirdest most unsatisfying movie I've seen all year, but it turns out the entire movie is a political analogy against this caricature they make of Jordan Peterson. I wouldn't have even minded as much if it was a good movie, but the plot was frustrating and made no sense, the entire time watching it I just felt highly uncomfortable. It's essentially a highly misandranistic caricature of what some ridiculous film major college graduates came up with when they ran out of ideas. I wouldn't recommend this at all.
There were times when they used to produce movies like Fight Club.
Now they spend $24m to waste our time with some nonsense script.
It's not the first time for Oscar nominee Jesse Eisenberg to play an unlikeable, confused, and soulless person, but what happened to Adrien Brody? Didn't he win an Oscar for the Pianist, at least that was 20 years ago ... I guess some actors don't read their scripts anymore before accepting their $400k roles.
I usually watch the movies to the end to make up my mind but had to stop watching this one after 30 minutes since I could not relate to any of the characters in this movie.
Now they spend $24m to waste our time with some nonsense script.
It's not the first time for Oscar nominee Jesse Eisenberg to play an unlikeable, confused, and soulless person, but what happened to Adrien Brody? Didn't he win an Oscar for the Pianist, at least that was 20 years ago ... I guess some actors don't read their scripts anymore before accepting their $400k roles.
I usually watch the movies to the end to make up my mind but had to stop watching this one after 30 minutes since I could not relate to any of the characters in this movie.
- I-love-Popcorn
- 16 nov. 2023
- Permalien
Manodrome is a wild ride where we follow the subtlies of a quiet "average" man who meets the wrong people at the right time causing a pressure cooker situation. People saying the film was null of meaning may need some self reflection, the movie clearly nods at what is to come early on and the leads erratic behaviour shows how the pressure guides his choices. The film is the sad, violent and lonely story of a man who because of his upbringing was never able to express himself and now he's invited to open up and influenced into taking matters into his own hands, but his emotions have boiled over in ways he cannot understand nor control before it's too late.
- spookyastronauts
- 19 nov. 2023
- Permalien
It has the feel of Fight Club but by far has lost itself in a film that you wait for a punch but it never comes. There was no surprise at the ending, the acting could be a ten but the storyline spares none of the performances , I'm a huge fan of both Jesse Eisenberg and Adrian Brody that brought about the most disappointing of all. I even wish I could say the film had any kind of potential but no go. Brody's performance as god was a stick man with a soft guy with nothing else overcomes the soft guy personality. If you watch this prepare yourself for a let down and maybe spare yourself the disappointment and watch something more promising!
John Trengrove's "Manodrome" is an incel-era update of "Fight Club," a story of an average guy whose inner demons are unleashed when he meets a group of men trying to reclaim their perceived place in the world. "Manodrome" weaves modern themes like the emergence of toxic incels across the internet into a tale of a loner who becomes emboldened by the wrong people, echoing "Taxi Driver" as much as the Chuck Palahniuk classic but failing to tie any of its hot-button issues into a coherent statement or character study. It's a hollow provocation with about as much to say about the human condition as an internet troll who learned a few buzzwords this morning and wants to spew them at somebody to feel superior. The cast gives their all, but the film ultimately has nothing to offer.
In dark dramatic thriller "Manodrome" troubled East-Coast blue-collar gym-rat Jesse Eisenberg (excllent - and ripped, as never seen before) struggles to cope mentally & financially with losing his job while girlfriend Odessa Young is nine months pregnant - and his psychological state sure ain't calmed by falling in with Adrien Brody's mysoginistic cult (with the likes of Ethan Suplee) that sparks him into rapidly spiralling volatility & violence. In his first US film, South African writer/director John Trengove packs a raw punch, with originality (while drawing inspiration from great movies like "Taxi Driver" & "Fight Club"). It'll not be for all, but is well worth seeing.
- danieljfarthing
- 23 nov. 2023
- Permalien
Eisenberg and Brody are great actors, and are also great here. Eisenberg portrayed a complex, unpredictable uncomfortable character. It's not like fight club, not about toxic masculinity. It's about a deeply disturbed and shy man who's life is not under control and he gets involved with this group who are supportive and feel themselves outcasts from society, but seems he doesn't even connect with them too well. It's not bloody or excessively violent, though it is a bit dark in places and a few people are shot.
To be honest, it felt very original, but also quite risky from the director. The main character is obviously struggling with some inner demons, but we never find out what that is, and though there are strong hints, the film in many ways felt in-conclusive. In some ways this was good - it's like life; we rarely find easy solutions. There were some unexpected turns of event in the film, and there is a sense of underlying theme of men caring for and feeling the suffering of other men, and the struggle that men have in a society controlled by women's desires and needs. However, it didn't feel like a single story in the end, but more like a snapshot into some messed up kids life as he struggles to deal with his feelings of worthlessness. If it a good movie? It's different, I think it's something that could be studied in a film class, but fundamentally I think many people will find it a little depressing, inconclusive and unsatisfying. I'm glad I watched it, but you're not going to finish the film feeling upbeat or happy.
To be honest, it felt very original, but also quite risky from the director. The main character is obviously struggling with some inner demons, but we never find out what that is, and though there are strong hints, the film in many ways felt in-conclusive. In some ways this was good - it's like life; we rarely find easy solutions. There were some unexpected turns of event in the film, and there is a sense of underlying theme of men caring for and feeling the suffering of other men, and the struggle that men have in a society controlled by women's desires and needs. However, it didn't feel like a single story in the end, but more like a snapshot into some messed up kids life as he struggles to deal with his feelings of worthlessness. If it a good movie? It's different, I think it's something that could be studied in a film class, but fundamentally I think many people will find it a little depressing, inconclusive and unsatisfying. I'm glad I watched it, but you're not going to finish the film feeling upbeat or happy.
- uberdonkey6
- 1 déc. 2023
- Permalien
I'm sorry, Jesse Eisenberg was the wrong person to play this part. He ain't hard enough for it! Shia LaBeouf would have knocked this out of the park! Perfect guy for a film like this. This does have a sharp message in it, although, it's almost too real for the times we are in now. Our leaders have become toxic and their followers manic and frothing at the mouth for acceptance, no matter where it comes from. This film, although creepy but is still a good representation of some of the pressure our young people are under these days, sprinkle Mascagni, and a sparse of mental illness, and you have a bomb looking for a reason to explode!
- twofeathersnmi
- 18 nov. 2023
- Permalien
What can I say expected high hopes from this movie which didn't materialise like the move script .It was awful viewing not knowing what direction the story line was heading or what on earth the director was thinking of .I cannot believe the cast agreed to this mishmash of a movie .it was a poor attempt to portray todays society's problems overflowing onto the silver screen but with no backbone or substance made it a nonsensical farce to say the least .Don't spend your money on this movie buy yourself an ice-cream or desert to take away the unpleasant taste in your mouth after watching this movie
Avoid !
Avoid !
- britik-70684
- 12 juil. 2024
- Permalien
- natalyaa-97172
- 21 juil. 2024
- Permalien
I didn't quite know what to expect with this movie and still don't know what I got. The situations are so unrealistic to the point of the impossible, starting with this "manodrome" mansion clearly inspired by NXIVM including the branding, and they make no sense other than being half baked plot devices for precipitating the protagonist deeper into confusion, rage and insanity.
Excellent acting, and the capable direction is trying its best to breathe life into a bizarre, contrived and inept script.
I would strongly recommend to the writer to reach out to Asylum Studios who seem to be more in line with his aptitude.
And I would fully expect the exec who greenlit this turd to be fired for cause. What a waste of money and talent on what was so obviouly a really bad script.
Excellent acting, and the capable direction is trying its best to breathe life into a bizarre, contrived and inept script.
I would strongly recommend to the writer to reach out to Asylum Studios who seem to be more in line with his aptitude.
And I would fully expect the exec who greenlit this turd to be fired for cause. What a waste of money and talent on what was so obviouly a really bad script.
- baboothecat
- 26 déc. 2023
- Permalien
- latinfineart
- 20 nov. 2023
- Permalien
This was a Complete waste of my time , I thought with the cast of actors in it , That it was going to be worth watching. I will not speak of this movie again, Nor will I recommend it to anyone EVER. IT made no since what's so ever, Now you can try and say it had Artistic relevance. Trust me it DIDN'T. This movie isn't going to find and audience, Believe me NO one will be singing its praise at all . What they will say is , Stay away from it and definitely don't talk about it or Suggest it to anyone. This movie will go quickly into the might once and for all. I can't believe that the it was ever a thought Period.
A young troubled man is introduced to a male cult. When an amateur (Adrian Brody as cult-leader) tries to cure him from some deep and hurting trauma, the trauma takes full control. Things might even become worse when day-to-day life is stressful, like becoming a father and seeing your wife give over to postnatal depression. The trauma is out and Ralphie (Jessie Eisenberg) can't take back control. Things desperately go out of hand. Every day becomes more painful than the previous one. The cult-leader gives Ralphie a gun as a present. But guns can be very dangerous. This movie is a thrill from beginning to end but in a shocking way. - I doubt if many women will like the movie because all the men in Manadrome are victim of abusive relations where the women were the abusers. As was Ralphie. I suppose the message is that abuse by women in relationships is probably very common but somehow people don't speak much about it.
I dont know why and how I saw posters for the movie and decided to watch it without checking its score on IMDB first. 4.8 is too generous. John Trengove owes me 2h of his life that he is welcome to serve anytime he wants - whether it be cleaning my house or walking my dog, I am mad i wasted 2h of my life to watch something that is not even a movie because nothing happens. When something does happen, it's so not logical or make even the slightest sense. Next time you want to make a movie just facepalm yourself John Trengove and spare us from doing it ourselves. If you think about watching this movie just do yourself a favor and watch Joker a second time, it will be a much better experience.
Ralphie (Jesse Eisenberg) is a rideshare driver struggling to get by especially with his girlfriend Sal (Odessa Young) being pregnant. His small world is getting squeezed. His friend introduces him to a men's group led by Dad Dan (Adrien Brody).
This is a mix of Fight Club and Falling Down. At least, it has aspiration to be like those movies. I don't know anything about filmmaker John Trengove. From only this movie, I get a sense that he's a man with ideas. Maybe he needs work to make them into good movies. This is very slow and somewhat tiring. I like Eisenberg but this character has a wall around him. He's playing the quiet guy ready to explode. Even the naked Santa cannot shake me from the doldrums. I still don't know if that's a hallucination. It may be his conflicted sexuality. The gay sex is unexpected, but the gay panic is not. The filmmaker is trying to say something, but he bulldozes whatever construction he had made.
This is a mix of Fight Club and Falling Down. At least, it has aspiration to be like those movies. I don't know anything about filmmaker John Trengove. From only this movie, I get a sense that he's a man with ideas. Maybe he needs work to make them into good movies. This is very slow and somewhat tiring. I like Eisenberg but this character has a wall around him. He's playing the quiet guy ready to explode. Even the naked Santa cannot shake me from the doldrums. I still don't know if that's a hallucination. It may be his conflicted sexuality. The gay sex is unexpected, but the gay panic is not. The filmmaker is trying to say something, but he bulldozes whatever construction he had made.
- SnoopyStyle
- 25 nov. 2023
- Permalien
Manodrome is an entertaining take on the toxic masculinity. Jesse Eisenberg alongside Adrien Brody and Odessa Young deliver stellar performances, though, the movie takes so many wild turns by the end, it loses some credibility and could even make you laugh, like it did for me.
The idea was there, and the direction was also promising. For the first half of the movie, I could feel what Ralphie, the main character, was going through. The frustration was crystal clear, and Jesse fantastically portrayed a person trying to handle it by himself. Yet, at one point, the density of dramatic scenes and explosive, reckless actions taken by him turned out to just be too much.
Although I must say, while Manodrome didn't exactly work for me, it kept me engaged until the end, thanks to a stellar mix of great acting, music, and cold, almost raw shots.
On top of that, it's a movie that provoked the most different reactions to it. I experienced it at a movie festival in Wroclaw, and during the whole event, no other film sparked so many different opinions. That is why, even though I felt it was decent personally, I think it should be seen if you have the chance.
The idea was there, and the direction was also promising. For the first half of the movie, I could feel what Ralphie, the main character, was going through. The frustration was crystal clear, and Jesse fantastically portrayed a person trying to handle it by himself. Yet, at one point, the density of dramatic scenes and explosive, reckless actions taken by him turned out to just be too much.
Although I must say, while Manodrome didn't exactly work for me, it kept me engaged until the end, thanks to a stellar mix of great acting, music, and cold, almost raw shots.
On top of that, it's a movie that provoked the most different reactions to it. I experienced it at a movie festival in Wroclaw, and during the whole event, no other film sparked so many different opinions. That is why, even though I felt it was decent personally, I think it should be seen if you have the chance.
- mateuszmiter
- 20 nov. 2023
- Permalien
- nogodnomasters
- 2 déc. 2023
- Permalien
Clearly a much needed movie depicting what it's like to be indoctrinated into the pitiful mens right movement. The point, for those who missed it was just that, to show why and how this individuals traumas and self hate were used against him.
What I enjoined about this movie is that it showed the struggle he felt inside with what the cult leader was trying to bring out of him. Deep seated self hatred and past traumas that were just eating away at him. But sadly he was too broken to seek out true help and ended on a path that caused more pain to himself and others. I also really liked the end but would have liked the movie to extended itself a few more minutes to show maybe a news outlet talking about the incel group. I'm sure this wasn't the first person to have snapped or been told to instigate chaos amongst them.
Overall a decent watchable film that is much needed for the ever growing number of desperate boys who never seek help for their feelings nor learn how to understand and work through them.
What I enjoined about this movie is that it showed the struggle he felt inside with what the cult leader was trying to bring out of him. Deep seated self hatred and past traumas that were just eating away at him. But sadly he was too broken to seek out true help and ended on a path that caused more pain to himself and others. I also really liked the end but would have liked the movie to extended itself a few more minutes to show maybe a news outlet talking about the incel group. I'm sure this wasn't the first person to have snapped or been told to instigate chaos amongst them.
Overall a decent watchable film that is much needed for the ever growing number of desperate boys who never seek help for their feelings nor learn how to understand and work through them.
- mentiramivida6
- 17 nov. 2024
- Permalien
I cannot tell what this movie was about. It plays as various scenes that come and go and stand on their own. No real overall plot to be found, or certainly none of any significance or relevance.
It is a bit of a urban gay sex tale but not really, family drama but not really... crime drama... also not really. It is a movie about nothing in particular. Just random scenes out of context from the life the main character.
Acting is very moody, slow paced, dazed like even... Not a fan. Too much of a lost and confused vibe, which might actually be accurate as im sure whoever made this got lost in the script quite a few times.
Really there is no reason to watch this but yet it is not the worst movie ever. Some scenes as i said, on their own, are ok. There is stuff there to watch. Just as a movie doesn't really work.
It is a bit of a urban gay sex tale but not really, family drama but not really... crime drama... also not really. It is a movie about nothing in particular. Just random scenes out of context from the life the main character.
Acting is very moody, slow paced, dazed like even... Not a fan. Too much of a lost and confused vibe, which might actually be accurate as im sure whoever made this got lost in the script quite a few times.
Really there is no reason to watch this but yet it is not the worst movie ever. Some scenes as i said, on their own, are ok. There is stuff there to watch. Just as a movie doesn't really work.
- idonotexist
- 6 janv. 2024
- Permalien