The End We Start From

The End We Start From is a 2023 British survival film directed by Mahalia Belo and starring Jodie Comer, with Benedict Cumberbatch, Katherine Waterston and Mark Strong. It is adapted by Alice Birch from the novel of the same name by Megan Hunter. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2023.[1]

The End We Start From
Film poster
Directed byMahalia Belo
Screenplay byAlice Birch
Based onThe End We Start From by Megan Hunter
Produced by
Starring
CinematographySuzie Lavelle
Edited byArttu Salmi
Music byAnna Meredith
Production
companies
  • SunnyMarch
  • Hera Pictures
  • Anton
  • BBC Film
  • BFI
  • C2 Motion Picture Group
Distributed bySignature Entertainment
Release dates
  • 10 September 2023 (2023-09-10) (TIFF)
  • 19 January 2024 (2024-01-19)
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget£9 million

Synopsis

After an ecological crisis, a new mother and her baby abandon their home in flooded London and flee northwards.

Cast

Production

Development

Benedict Cumberbatch's company SunnyMarch with Hera Pictures acquired the rights in May 2017 to Megan Hunter's debut novel The End We Start From before the book had been published. Cumberbatch was quoted as saying it was "a stunning tale of motherhood [and] a striking and frighteningly real story of a family fighting for survival that will make everyone stop and think about what kind of planet we are leaving behind for our children". Cumberbatch was announced as a producer alongside Hera Pictures founder Liza Marshall, Adam Ackland, and Sophie Hunter.[2]

In May 2022, it was announced that Mahalia Belo would direct an Alice Birch screenplay adaptation of the novel with Jodie Comer attached to appear as the central mother character. Production was listed as being completed by SunnyMarch through Leah Clarke and Ackland and Hera Pictures' Marshall alongside Amy Jackson and Hunter. With BBC Film and Anton adding finance, executive producers were Comer, Cumberbatch, Eva Yates, Cecile Gaget and Sébastien Raybaud.[3] A budget of £9 million has been reported for the project.[4] Also confirmed as working on the project were Suzie Lavelle as cinematographer, PC Williams as costume designer, production designer Laura Ellis-Cricks and hair and make-up designer Louise Coles.[5] Director Belo described the film as a "unique and original take on a survival film. One that feels in tune with the climate crisis we are experiencing now."[6]

Casting

In August 2022, it was revealed that Katherine Waterston had been added to the cast.[7] In September 2022, it was confirmed that Cumberbatch and Mark Strong, Joel Fry, Gina McKee, and Nina Sosanya had been added to the cast and that principal photography had begun in London. Strong had been added as an executive producer along with Kate Maxwell, Fanny Soulier and Pieter Engels from Anton, and Claudia Yusef for BBC Film. C2 Motion Picture Group had been brought in for funding with Dave Caplan and Jason Cloth in as executive producers, with National Lottery funding coming via the BFI with Lizzie Francke acting as an executive producer.[8]

Filming

As well as in London,[9][10] principal photography was reported to taken place at disused boarding school Carmel College in southern Oxfordshire.[11]

Release

In May 2023, Signature Entertainment and Republic Pictures acquired U.K. and U.S. distribution rights, respectively.[12][13] It is scheduled to be released in the United States on 8 December 2023, and in the United Kingdom on 19 January 2024.[14][15]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 78% of 27 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.8/10.[16] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 64 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[17]

References
  1. Anthony D'Alessandro, "TIFF Lineup Unveiled Amid Strikes: Awards Contenders ‘Dumb Money’, ‘The Holdovers’, ‘Rustin’; Starry Pics For Sale With Scarlett Johansson, Kate Winslet, Michael Keaton, Viggo Mortensen & More". Deadline Hollywood, July 24, 2023.
  2. "Benedict Cumberbatch's Company to Adapt Novel 'The End We Start From' Into Movie". Variety. 18 May 2017.
  3. "BAFTA Winner Jodie Comer To Star In Apocalyptic Thriller 'The End We Start From' With Benedict Cumberbatch's SunnyMarch & Hera Among Producers, Anton & UTA Launch Sales — Cannes Market Hot Project". Deadline. 9 May 2022.
  4. "The End We Start From: what is Jodie Comer survival thriller film with Benedict Cumberbatch and Mark Strong?". nationalworld.com.
  5. "Principal photography begins on Mahalia Belo's The End We Start From". cineuropa.org. 15 September 2022.
  6. "Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Strong Join Jodie Comer on 'The End We Start From' Cast". Variety. 7 September 2022.
  7. "Katherine Waterston To Star Opposite Jodie Comer In Apocalyptic Thriller 'The End We Start From'". Deadline. 25 August 2022.
  8. "Benedict Cumberbatch & Mark Strong Join Cast Of Jodie Comer Thriller 'The End We Start From'; First-Look Image Revealed". Deadline. 7 September 2022.
  9. "Now Filming in London: September 2022". Filmlondon.org.
  10. "The End We Start From". Productionlist.com. 4 July 2022.
  11. "Filming crews spotted in Crowmarsh Gifford near Wallingford". Oxford Mail. 13 September 2022.
  12. Ritman, Alex (18 May 2023). "Cannes: Signature Picks Up Jodie Comer's 'The End We Start From' for U.K. (Exclusive)". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  13. Wiseman, Andreas (20 May 2023). "Jodie Comer's Apocalyptic Thriller 'The End We Start From' Sells To Paramount's Republic Pictures In Mid Seven-Figure North America Deal — Cannes Market". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  14. "'The End We Start From': Watch First Teaser For Jodie Comer & Benedict Cumberbatch Movie Ahead Of Toronto World Premiere; Release Date Revealed". Deadline.
  15. Travis, Ben (11 October 2023). "Jodie Comer Flees A Flooding London In The End We Start From – Exclusive Images". Empire. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  16. "The End We Start From". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  17. "The End We Start From". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
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