{{Short description|2023 film by Alex Kahuam}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox film | name = Failure! | image = Failure! Poster.jpg | alt = | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Alex Kahuam | writer = Alex Kahuam | producer = {{Plainlist| * Marco De Molina * Kayli Fortun * Alex Kahuam * Ted Raimi * Jose D. Rodriguez }} | starring = {{Plainlist| * Ted Raimi * Merrick McCartha * Noel Douglas Orput * Melissa Diaz * Christin Muuli * Daniel Kuhlman * LeVar Michael * Spencer Langston * John Paul Medrano * Ernest Cavazos * Joe Barra * Chris Paul Morales * Alex Sands * Hyeong Choi }} | cinematography = Ernesto Lomeli | editing = Alex Kahuam | music = Vincent Gillioz | studio = {{Plainlist| * Promotora NAE * Spacebrain Entertainment }} | distributor = Red Water Entertainment | released = {{Film date|2023|08|28|FrightFest|2025|01|28|VOD}} | runtime = 87 minutes | country = {{Plainlist| * Mexico * United States }} | language = English | budget = }}
'''''Failure!''''' is a 2023 crime comedy film written and directed by Alex Kahuam. The film stars Ted Raimi, Merrick McCartha, Noel Douglas Orput, Melissa Diaz and Christin Muuli.
== Plot == Within one hour, a businessman must choose between his finances or murder to keep his family safe.
== Cast == {{cast listing| * Ted Raimi as James * Merrick McCartha as Mr. Serge * Noel Douglas Orput as Unknown Man * Melissa Diaz as Maria * Christin Muuli as Jessica * Daniel Kuhlman as Alvar * LeVar Michael as Robert * Spencer Langston as JP. Jr. * John Paul Medrano as Michael * Ernest Cavazos as Slavko * Joe Barra as Nicolas * Chris Paul Morales as Juan * Alex Sands as Charles * Hyeong Choi as Takuma }}
== Production == The film was shot in a single 87-minute take.<ref>{{Cite press release|last=Meza |first=Ed |date=2023-05-23 |title=Alex Kahuam's Ted Raimi Thriller 'Failure!' Goes With Alief (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/festivals/failure-ted-raimi-alief-fantastic-pavilion-1235622470/ |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> Raimi said that principal photography took three days from rehearsal to final take.<ref name=":0">{{Cite interview|last=Navarro |first=Meagan |date=2023-05-19 |title=‘Failure!’ – Ted Raimi Previews Ambitious, Violent, Single-Take Thriller Ahead of Cannes Debut [Exclusive] |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/exclusives/3762967/failure-ted-raimi-previews-violent-single-take-thriller-exclusive/ |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=Bloody Disgusting |language=en-US}}</ref> The film makes Kahuam the first Mexican filmmaker to make a one shot feature film in the US.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mack |first=Andrew |date=2022-06-28 |title=FAILURE! Alex Kahuam Directs Genre Icon Ted Raimi in Single Take Thriller |url=https://screenanarchy.com/2022/06/failure-alex-kahuam-ted-raimi.html |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=Screen Anarchy}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=DiVincenzo |first=Alex |date=2025-01-30 |title=Single-Take Thriller 'Failure!' Starring Ted Raimi Available Now |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3852772/single-take-thriller-failure-starring-ted-raimi-available-now/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Bloody Disgusting! |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Release == The film was picked up for distribution by Alief<ref>{{Cite press release |last=Hamman |first=Cody |date=2023-07-19 |title=Failure! teaser trailer: Ted Raimi thriller to premiere at FrightFest |url=https://www.joblo.com/failure-teaser-trailer/ |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=JoBlo |language=en-US}}</ref> at Marché du Film<ref name=":0" /> and premiered at FrightFest on August 28, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Squires |first=John |date=2023-07-18 |title=‘Failure!’ Trailer – Ted Raimi Stars in Single Take Thriller Headed to FrightFest 2023 |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3769654/failure-trailer-ted-raimi-stars-in-single-take-thriller-headed-to-frightfest-2023/ |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=Bloody Disgusting |language=en-US}}</ref> In May 2024, Red Water Entertainment acquired the North American distribution rights.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=May 16, 2024 |title=Ted Raimi Thriller 'Failure!' Snapped Up for North American Distribution at Cannes Market by Red Water Entertainment (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/global/ted-raimi-failure-cannes-red-water-entertainment-1236006105/ |access-date=May 16, 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> It was released on video on demand on January 28, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Failure! |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/failure |access-date={{RT data|access date}} |website=Rotten Tomatoes |publisher=Fandango}}</ref>
== Reception == {{Rotten Tomatoes prose|{{RT data|score}}|{{RT data|average}}|{{RT data|count}}|ref=yes|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}
Martin Unsworth at Starburst Magazine scored the film 5 out of 5.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Unsworth |first=Martin |date=2023-08-28 |title=FAILURE! [FrightFest 2023] |url=https://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/failure/ |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=Starburst |language=en-GB}}</ref> Paul Chapinal at Film News gave it 4 out of 5 stars.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chapinal |first=Paul |date=2023-08-28 |title=Failure! |url=https://www.film-news.co.uk/review/UK/5424/Cinema/Failure |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=Film News |language=en-US}}</ref> Film critic Kim Newman said the film is more satisfying than Kahuam's ''Forgiveness''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newman |first=Kim |author-link=Kim Newman |date=2023-08-28 |title=FrightFest review – Failure! |url=https://johnnyalucard.com/2023/08/28/frightfest-review-failure/ |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=The Kim Newman Web Site |language=en-GB}}</ref> Anton Bitel at Projected Figures said it is "an understated, if unpredictable chamber drama" that "is concerned with broader themes of American capital and criminality."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bitel |first=Anton |date=2023-08-28 |title=Failure! (2023) |url=https://projectedfigures.com/2023/08/28/failure-2023/ |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=Projected Figures |language=en-GB}}</ref>
Horror icon and frequent Raimi collaborator Bruce Campbell endorsed the film by saying "Ted Raimi is one of the few actors I would — or could — watch for 87 minutes without a break."<ref name=":1" />
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title|19880934|title=Failure!}} * {{Letterboxd title|failure-2023}} * {{Rotten Tomatoes|m/failure}}
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Category:Mexican crime comedy films Category:American crime comedy films Category:2023 crime comedy films Category:Films about criminals Category:Films about murderers Category:Films about families Category:One-shot films Category:Films about businesspeople Category:Films directed by Alex Kahuam Category:2023 English-language films Category:English-language Mexican films Category:2023 Mexican films Category:2023 American films