Without Blood
DirectorAngelina Jolie
ScreenplayAngelina Jolie
Producer
  • Lorenzo De Maio
  • Angelina Jolie
Starring
MusicRutger Hoedemaekers
CinematographySeamus McGarvey
EditingXavier Box
Studio
DistributorVision Distribution (Italy)
ReleasedSeptember 8, 2024 (TIFF); April 10, 2025 (Italy)
Runtime91 minutes
Country
LanguageEnglish

Without Blood is a 2024 war drama film written, coproduced, and directed by Angelina Jolie and based on Alessandro Baricco's book of the same name. It stars Salma Hayek, Demián Bichir, and Juan Minujín.

The film premiered in the Special Presentations section at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2024, and was released in Italy on April 10, 2025.

Production

In June 2022, it was revealed that Angelina Jolie would direct and write an adaptation based on the book titled Without Blood by Alessandro Baricco. Salma Hayek, Demián Bichir, and Juan Minujín were cast in the lead roles as Nina, Tito, and Salinas.[2] Jolie's elder sons Maddox and Pax also joined the cast.[3] Principal photography began around June in Apulia and Basilicata.[4]

Release

The film premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.[1] The film was released in Italy on April 10, 2025.[5]

Critical reception

IndieWire found the film mediocre, suffering from a "lack of dramatic shape" but with "good intentions", giving it a "C" grade.[6] The Wrap called it "a film with its heart in the right place yet only a faint pulse", writing "Not only does the film's conclusion then feel quite rushed, it's hard to say that everything that preceded it was patient enough either. The story Jolie is seeking to tell in Without Blood is certainly one worth telling, it's just a shame this isn’t the film to do it successfully."[7] Similarly, The Hollywood Reporter stated that the film "plays it safe" and "the story ultimately seems too thin to bear the weight of its themes."[8]

Baricco praised the film, saying that he saw "the characters I had imagined come to life. It was amazing. Meeting Angelina, her talent, her courage, and her gentle strength, has been a privilege for me. The beauty of the film preserves much of what is so special about her."[9]

References

  1. ^ "TIFF unveils its star-studded lineup of Galas and Special Presentations". TIFF. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  2. ^ Smith, Sarah (June 10, 2022). "Angelina Jolie Will Direct Eternals Co-Star Salma Hayek In New Movie". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  3. ^ Edel, Victoria (August 17, 2022). "Angelina Jolie Says It Felt "Natural" Working With Her Sons on Upcoming Movie". PopSugar. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  4. ^ Twersky, Carolyn (August 17, 2022). "Everything We Know About Angelina Jolie's New Film, Without Blood". W. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  5. ^ "Senza sangue: ecco il trailer italiano del film di Angelina Jolie con Salma Hayek" (in Italian). ComingSoon.it. 2025-03-31. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
  6. ^ Murthi, Vikram (2024-09-09). "‘Without Blood’ Review: Salma Hayek Pinault Stars in Angelina Jolie’s Clumsy War Two-Hander". IndieWire. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
  7. ^ Hutchinson, Chase (2024-09-09). "‘Without Blood’ Review: Salma Hayek Pinault and Demián Bichir Face Ghosts in Angelina Jolie's Inert Drama". TheWrap. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
  8. ^ Gyarkye, Lovia (2024-09-09). "‘Without Blood’ Review: Salma Hayek Pinault and Demián Bichir in Angelina Jolie’s Overly Cautious War Parable". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
  9. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2024-09-09). "‘Without Blood’ Author Says Angelina Jolie Made “Characters I Had Imagined Come To Life”; Filmmaker Says “He Was Almost Challenging Me” – TIFF". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-09-10.