Spoiler Alert (film)

Spoiler Alert is a 2022 American romantic comedy-drama film based on the 2017 memoir Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies by Michael Ausiello, directed by Michael Showalter and written by David Marshall Grant and Dan Savage. The film stars Jim Parsons, Ben Aldridge, and Sally Field.

Spoiler Alert
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMichael Showalter
Screenplay by
Based onSpoiler Alert: The Hero Dies
by Michael Ausiello
Produced by
  • Jim Parsons
  • Todd Spiewak
  • Alison Mo Massey
  • Michael Showalter
  • Jordana Mollick
Starring
CinematographyBrian Burgoyne
Edited byPeter Teschner
Music byBrian H. Kim
Production
companies
  • That's Wonderful Productions
  • Semi-Formal Productions
Distributed byFocus Features
Release date
  • December 2, 2022 (2022-12-02)
Running time
112 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1.4 million[2][3]

Spoiler Alert was released in the United States by Focus Features on December 2, 2022.

Plot

In 2001, Michael Ausiello, a writer for TV Guide, is brought to a gay nightclub by his best friend in Manhattan. There, he meets photographer Kit Cowan, and the two instantly connect. As they begin dating, Michael struggles with his insecurities of not being attractive enough for Kit, previously being overweight. Kit reveals that he had an affair. They both admit their fears of being in a long-term relationship since neither of them had been in one before, but they decide to continue dating. During their first Christmas together, Kit gives Michael his own closet space at his apartment.

One year later, Kit gets an appendectomy. His parents, Bob and Marilyn, come to Manhattan, and Kit has yet to come out to them. Marilyn grows suspicious of Michael. After she incessantly interrogates him, Kit comes out to his parents and reveals that Michael is his boyfriend. While initially upset that Kit could not admit this to her, Marilyn is accepting and welcomes Michael. Michael and Kit continue their relationship and get a townhouse together. During their second Christmas, Kit joins Michael in lying under the Christmas tree with him as Michael explains it was a childhood fantasy of his to do it every year with his partner.

In 2013, Michael and Kit develop complications in their relationship as their sex life deteriorates. Michael spends too much time with his company TVLine, becomes an alcoholic, and suspects Kit is having an affair with his coworker, Sebastian. Their therapist believes they now resent each other, but they still love each other enough to not want to end it. He suggests that they separate to reassess their feelings. Kit moves out, but the two remain in their relationship. During their thirteenth Christmas, Kit begins showing signs of ill health.

In 2014, Kit is diagnosed with a rare form of stage-4 neuroendocrine cancer. Michael, still traumatized by his mother's death from cancer, moves Kit back in and the two reconcile. Michael supports Kit as he undergoes a treatment. Kit's health worsens and is given six weeks left to live. Michael apologizes to Kit for not letting him know how beautiful he was due to his fears of being left for a more attractive man. Kit apologizes to Michael for having an affair with Sebastian. Kit proposes to Michael and they marry the next day. The two spend their last Christmas together, with Michael fantasizing himself and Kit growing old and lying under the Christmas tree together.

In 2015, Kit is taken to the hospital. As Kit nears death, Michael allows Sebastian to say goodbye to him. As Kit is dying, Michael fantasizes interviewing Kit as a departing actor whose character is being killed off a television show. Kit expresses gratitude for his "time on the show" and is looking forward to the future. Michael asks Kit what he should do, and Kit assures him that he will figure it out. Back in reality, Michael thanks Kit for giving him a family and allows him to go. After Kit's death, Michael continues to be a part of Bob and Marilyn's lives. Michael prepares to leave New York for Los Angeles. As he's nervous to start his new journey, he remembers how brave he was to begin his adventure with Kit.

Cast

Production

Production began in December 2018, when Jim Parsons signed on to produce and star in the film and Michael Showalter signed on to direct it.[4] In July 2021, Ben Aldridge was cast as Kit Cowan.[5] In September 2021, Sally Field joined the cast playing Kit's mother, Marilyn.[6] Principal photography began in the fall in New York City.[7]

Release

The film was given a limited release by Focus Features on December 2, 2022, before releasing across the United States a week later on December 9, 2022.[8]

Home media

Spoiler Alert was released for VOD on December 20, 2022, followed by a Blu-ray and DVD] release on February 7, 2023.[9]

Reception

Box office

The film made $679,690 from 789 theaters in its opening wide weekend, finishing in 10th.[10]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 86% of 93 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.7/10. The website's consensus reads: "It can be frustratingly uneven, but strong performances from a talented cast help Spoiler Alert stay on the right side of saccharine."[11] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 61 out of 100, based on 22 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[12] PostTrak reported 91% of audience members gave the film a positive score.[10]

Accolades
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
GLAAD Media Awards March 30, 2023 Outstanding Film - Wide Release Spoiler Alert Nominated [13]
Casting Society Artios Awards March 9, 2023 Outstanding Achievement in Casting - Studio or Independent Feature - Comedy Avy Kaufman Nominated [14]
Guild of Music Supervisors Awards March 5, 2023 Best Music Supervision for Film Budgeted $25 Million And Under Natalie Hayden, Garrett McElver Nominated [15]
The Queerties February 28, 2023 Studio Movie Spoiler Alert Nominated [16]
Performance - Film Ben Aldridge Nominated [16]
The Queerties February 24, 2022 Next Big Thing Spoiler Alert Nominated [17]

See also

References
  1. "Spoiler Alert (15)". BBFC. September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  2. "Spoiler Alert (2022)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  3. "Spoiler Alert (2022)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  4. Fleming, Mike Jr. (December 6, 2018). "Focus Features Lands Michael Ausiello Memoir 'Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies'; Michael Showalter To Direct Jim Parsons". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  5. Grobar, Matt (July 29, 2021). "Focus Greenlights 'Spoiler Alert'; 'Fleabag's Ben Aldridge Joins Jim Parsons In Adaptation Of Michael Ausiello Memoir". Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  6. Hipes, Patrick (September 10, 2021). "Sally Field Joins Cast Of 'Spoiler Alert' Movie Based On Michael Ausiello Memoir". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  7. "Principal Photography on 'Spoiler Alert' Film Wraps". Instinct Magazine. December 12, 2021. Archived from the original on February 10, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  8. "Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies Release Date Update". Focus Features. June 15, 2022. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  9. "Spoiler Alert DVD Release Date". www.dvdsreleasedates.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  10. D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 11, 2022). "Weekend Box Office At $38M, Near 2022 Low Before 'Avatar: The Way Of Water' Soaks Up All The Air – Sunday Update". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 17, 2022. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  11. "Spoiler Alert". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  12. "Spoiler Alert". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  13. Complex, Valerie (January 18, 2023). "GLAAD Announces Nominees for the 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  14. Coates, Tyler (January 10, 2023). "Casting Society Artios Awards: 'Avatar: The Way of Water,' 'The Fabelmans' and 'Tár' Among Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  15. Tangcay, Jazz (January 23, 2023). "Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Taylor Swift Nominated for Guild of Music Supervisors Awards". Variety. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  16. Major, Michael. "& JULIET, TITANIQUE & More Nominated For Queerties Awards". BroadwayWorld.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  17. "Next Big Thing / The QUEERTIES 2022 / Winners". Queerty. Archived from the original on September 10, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
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