Armageddon Time

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Armageddon Time
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJames Gray
Written byJames Gray
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDarius Khondji
Edited byScott Morris
Music byChristopher Spelman
Production
companies
  • RT Features
  • MadRiver Pictures
  • Keep Your Head
  • Spacemaker Productions
Distributed by
Release dates
  • May 19, 2022 (2022-05-19) (Cannes)
  • October 28, 2022 (2022-10-28) (United States)
Running time
115 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$15 million[2]
Box office$6.6 million[3][4]

Armageddon Time is a 2022 American coming-of-age drama film written, directed, and produced by James Gray. The film features an ensemble cast including Anne Hathaway, Jeremy Strong, Banks Repeta, Jaylin Webb, and Anthony Hopkins.

Loosely inspired by Gray's own childhood experiences, the story follows a young Jewish-American boy who forms a friendship with an African American classmate, as he navigates the complexities of growing up amid family expectations, societal inequality, and racial prejudice.[5] The film explores themes of privilege, loyalty, and the socio-political landscape of the 1980s. It was shot in New Jersey and Fresh Meadows, Queens, where Gray grew up.

Armageddon Time had its world premiere at the 75th Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2022, where it was nominated for the Palme d'Or. It was subsequently released in the United States with a limited theatrical debut on October 28, 2022, by Focus Features, before expanding to a wider release on November 4. The film received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, with praise for its direction, performances and historical relevance, but criticism for its pacing and underdeveloped characters. However, it underperformed commercially, grossing $6.6 million worldwide against a production budget of $15 million.

Plot

[edit]

In 1980 Queens, New York City, on his first day of sixth grade, Jewish-American Paul Graff befriends rebellious African-American classmate Johnny Davis. Johnny, having been held back a year, faces harsher treatment from their teacher, especially when both boys joke around in class. Paul frequently dissociates from his schoolwork, preferring to draw pictures instead.

Paul lives with his financially stable family. He is particularly close to his maternal grandfather, Aaron Rabinowitz, who encourages him to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. However, his well-meaning but strict parents, Esther and Irving, are less supportive of Paul's artistic aspirations. In the evenings, Aaron tells Paul stories about how his mother fled antisemitic persecution in Ukraine, escaping to London before eventually emigrating to the U.S. with Aaron and his British father.

One day, Paul and Johnny are caught smoking a joint in the school restroom, unaware that it's an illegal drug. Furious, Esther allows Irving to discipline Paul with a beating. Hoping that it will instill more discipline in him, Paul's parents send him to Forest Manor Prep, a private school where his older brother Ted is already a student. Meanwhile, Johnny stops attending public school after being relegated to special education.[5]

Forest Manor Prep is financially supported by the influential businessman Fred Trump, a vocal supporter of Ronald Reagan in the upcoming presidential election. Many of the students at the school are also Reagan supporters. On Paul's first day, Fred's daughter, Maryanne, one of the school's famous alumni, delivers a speech urging the students to work hard to earn their success. Though Paul recognizes the advantages of the private school, he still feels out of place. He is also disturbed by the racist remarks from other students when Johnny visits him during recess. Johnny, now homeless, begins secretly living in Paul's backyard clubhouse, as he has nowhere else to stay after his sick grandmother's home is frequently visited by foster care workers.

On the weekend, while playing in the park, Paul confides in Aaron about his struggles at school and his guilt over witnessing racism but doing nothing about it. Aaron advises Paul to stand up against prejudice, reminding him that although antisemitism still exists, he and his family benefit from the privilege of being white. Soon after, Aaron dies of bone cancer, leaving the family grieving his loss.

Burdened by his family's high expectations and the injustices Johnny faces, Paul convinces Johnny to steal a computer from school so they can sell it and run away together. After they steal the computer, the boys are arrested while attempting to pawn it. During interrogation, Paul confesses that the theft was his idea. However, Johnny, realizing he has few options in life, takes the blame to protect Paul. Despite Paul's protests, Johnny bids him farewell as Irving arrives to take his son home without facing any consequences, due to a past favor he once did for the interrogating officer.

At home, Irving admits to Paul that he understands his frustration with America's racial inequalities but advises him that they must focus on survival in order to have a good life. The two agree not to tell Esther about the incident, as she is still mourning the death of Aaron.

In the days that follow, the Graff family is disappointed by Ronald Reagan's victory in the presidential election, but Paul shifts his focus to his schoolwork. During a Thanksgiving dance at Forest Manor, Fred Trump delivers a speech encouraging the students to become the next generation of elite leaders. Feeling increasingly disillusioned, Paul quietly leaves during the speech.

Cast

[edit]
  • Banks Repeta as Paul Graff
  • Anne Hathaway as Esther Graff, Paul's mother and Aaron's daughter
  • Jeremy Strong as Irving Graff, Paul's father
  • Jaylin Webb as Johnny Davis, Paul's African-American friend and public school classmate
  • Anthony Hopkins as Aaron Rabinowitz, Paul's grandfather
  • Tovah Feldshuh as Mickey Rabinowitz, Paul's grandmother and Aaron's wife
  • Ryan Sell as Ted Graff, Paul's older brother
  • John Diehl as Fred Trump, a famous businessman and financier of Forest Manor Prep private school[6]
  • Jessica Chastain as Maryanne Trump, Fred's daughter[6]
  • Andrew Polk as Mr. Turkeltaub, Paul and Johnny's public school teacher
  • Teddy Coluca as Uncle Louis, Paul's uncle
  • Marcia Haufrecht as Aunt Ruth, Paul's aunt
  • Dane Zagarino (aka Dane West) as Topper Lowell, Paul's friend at Forest Manor
  • Richard Bekins as Forest Manor Headmaster Fitzroy
  • Domenick Lombardozzi as Police Sergeant D'Arienzo
  • Marcia Jean Kurtz as Forest Manor Student Guide
  • Landon James Forlenza as Chad Eastman, Topper's friend
  • Eva Jette Putrello as Veronika Bronfman, a Forest Manor student
  • Jacob MacKinnon as Edgar Romanelli, a public school student

Production

[edit]
James Gray at the 2017 Berlin Film Festival in Berlin, Germany.
Writer, director, and producer James Gray

On May 16, 2019, Variety reported that James Gray would write and direct Armageddon Time, a film based on his upbringing in Queens, New York City.[7] Cate Blanchett was initially cast in May 2020, with Gray revealing that she would shoot all her scenes in just three days, including a significant monologue.[8][9] The following month, Robert De Niro, Oscar Isaac, Donald Sutherland, and Anne Hathaway were added to the cast, with plans to begin filming in New York City once the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic had lessened.[10]

Principal photography began in October 2021 in New Jersey, though it was initially expected to start earlier in the year.[11][12] In October, it was reported that Anthony Hopkins and Jeremy Strong had joined the cast, replacing De Niro and Isaac, respectively . Newcomers Banks Repeta, Jaylin Webb, and Ryan Sell were also confirmed to star.[13][14] Filming wrapped in December 2021, and Andrew Polk and Tovah Feldshuh were revealed as additional cast members.[15][16] In March 2022, Domenick Lombardozzi was announced as part of the ensemble, while it was later disclosed that Jessica Chastain had replaced Blanchett in a cameo role.[17][18]

The film's title is inspired by The Clash's song "Armagideon Time", which is heard multiple times throughout the film.[19]

Release

[edit]

Armageddon Time premiered at the 75th Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2022, where it received a seven-minute standing ovation.[20] The film began a limited release in the United States on October 28, 2022, before expanding nationwide on November 4.[21] It was distributed domestically by Focus Features and internationally by Universal Pictures.[21]

The film was released on video-on-demand platforms on November 22, 2022, and later on Blu-ray and DVD on January 3, 2023, by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and Studio Distribution Services.[22][23]

Reception

[edit]

Box office

[edit]

Armageddon Time grossed $1.9 million domestically and $4.7 million internationally, for a worldwide total of $6.5 million. Sources such as Variety attributed this underwhelming performance to poor marketing, a mixed audience reception, and a shift in public interest, as moviegoers increasingly favored MCU franchise and horror films in a post-pandemic movie-going environment.[24][25]

Gray referred to the film's financial performance as a "failure" and warned that films of its kind would continue to struggle commercially, adding concerns about the future viability of prestige films in a changing cinematic landscape.[26]

You're now in a situation where literally every single one of these [non-franchise] movies is not doing well, and in some ways, that's the great equalizer ... But you also know as a film person that has absolutely no bearing on the long-term reaction to a film. I'm a film person, and I have no idea what the box office receipts were of, you know, A Clockwork Orange or something. So I try to divorce myself from that as well. Because I can't do anything about it.

Critical reception

[edit]

Armageddon Time received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, with praise for its direction, performances and historical relevance, but criticism for its pacing and underdeveloped characters.

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 75% of 224 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.8/10. The website's consensus reads: "Armageddon Time finds writer-director James Gray excavating his own past and returning with a well-acted drama refreshingly free of nostalgia."[27] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 74 out of 100 based on 54 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[28]

Tim Robey of The Daily Telegraph described Armageddon Time as "a moving and thoughtful film," praising its exploration of themes such as privilege, family, and race. He highlighted Anthony Hopkins' performance as "a standout," adding depth to the film's emotional core. However, Collin noted that while the film's intentions were clear, its pacing and thematic execution occasionally felt uneven.[29] Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle criticized the film as a "self-serving" and "distorted childhood memoir," noting that James Gray's personal storytelling approach detracted from the film's overall impact. He also argued that, despite strong performances, the film lacked emotional depth and seemed more focused on self-justification than delivering a compelling or meaningful narrative, particularly in its handling of social themes.[30] Neil Minow of RogerEbert.com praised the film as a "quietly powerful reflection on privilege and family," highlighting Hopkins' "standout" performance. She described the film as a nuanced portrayal of the complexities of growing up amidst social inequalities, while applauding its restrained emotional tone and avoidance of melodrama.[31]

Alison Willmore of Vulture lauded the film for its "intimate and evocative portrayal of a child's moral awakening." She emphasized Jeremy Strong's performance, noting his "understated intensity" as a standout in the film. Willmore commended Gray's direction for its subtle exploration of privilege and systemic injustice, while maintaining a deeply personal narrative grounded in family dynamics.[32] Adam Nayman of The Ringer praised it as a "poignant and finely observed" reflection on memory and privilege, highlighting Gray's ability to weave personal experiences into a larger social context. Nayman also appreciated the film's nuanced performances, particularly from Strong and Anne Hathaway, and called the film an "unflinching examination of uncomfortable truths" in Gray's storytelling.[33] Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian called it a "terrific coming-of-age drama," lauding Gray's direction and the performances of Hathaway, Strong, and Hopkins. He highlighted the film's exploration of privilege, class, and systemic racism, emphasizing its emotional depth and subtle yet powerful approach.[34]

Accolades

[edit]
Award or film festival Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards 28 January 2023 Best Intergenerational Film Armageddon Time Nominated [35]
Best Time Capsule Nominated
Cannes Film Festival 28 May 2022 Palme d'Or James Gray Nominated [36]
Critics' Choice Awards 15 January 2023 Best Young Actor/Actress Banks Repeta Nominated [37]
Casting Society of America 9 March 2023 Studio or Independent Feature – Drama Douglas Aibel and Matthew Glasner Nominated [38]
Gijón International Film Festival 19 November 2022 Best Film James Gray Nominated [39]
Gotham Independent Film Awards 28 November 2022 Best Screenplay Nominated [40]
Guild of Music Supervisors Awards 5 March 2023 Best Music Supervision for Film Budgeted Under 25 Million Dollars Joe Rudge Nominated [41]
Las Vegas Film Critics Society 11 December 2022 Best Male Youth Performance (Under 21) Banks Repeta Nominated [42]
Music City Film Critics Association 9 January 2023 Best Young Actor Nominated [43]
National Board of Review 8 December 2022 Top Ten Independent Films Armageddon Time Won [44]
National Society of Film Critics 7 January 2023 Best Screenplay James Gray Runner-up [45]
Portland Critics Association Awards 16 January 2023 Best Actor in a Supporting Role Anthony Hopkins Nominated [46]
San Diego Film Critics Society Awards 6 January 2023 Best Youth Performance (Under 16) Jaylin Webb Won [47]
Banks Repeta Runner-up (tied)
San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle 9 January 2023 Best Supporting Actor Anthony Hopkins Nominated [48]
Santa Barbara International Film Festival February 10, 2023 Virtuoso Award Jeremy Strong Won [49]
Satellite Awards 3 March 2023 Best Actor in a Supporting Role Nominated [50]
Seattle Film Critics Society 17 January 2023 Best Youth Performance Banks Repeta Nominated [51]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association 12 December 2022 Best Youth Performance Nominated [52]

References

[edit]
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  3. ^ "Armageddon Time (2022)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  4. ^ "Armageddon Time (2022)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
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