M.F.A. is a 2017 American thriller film directed by Natalia Leite and written by Leah McKendrick. The film stars Francesca Eastwood, Clifton Collins Jr., Leah McKendrick, Peter Vack, David Huynh, Marlon Young, David Sullivan, Michael Welch and Mike Manning. The film was released on October 13, 2017, by Dark Sky Films.

M.F.A.
Theatrical release poster
Directed byNatalia Leite
Written byLeah McKendrick
Produced byMike Manning
Leah McKendrick
Shintaro Shimosawa
StarringFrancesca Eastwood
Clifton Collins Jr.
Leah McKendrick
Peter Vack
David Huynh
Marlon Young
David Sullivan
Michael Welch
Mike Manning
CinematographyAaron Kovalchik
Edited byPhil Bucci
Music bySonya Belousova
Production
companies
GTE Productions
Syncretic Entertainment
Villainess Productions
Distributed byDark Sky Films
Release dates
  • March 13, 2017 (2017-03-13) (SXSW)
  • October 13, 2017 (2017-10-13) (United States)
Running time
93 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$250,000[2]

Plot

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Noelle, an introvert California Masters of Fine Arts graduate student, accepts an invitation to a party by a handsome classmate she has a crush on, only to be lured into his room where he rapes her. The following night Noelle confronts her rapist and in a moment of rage, accidentally kills him. But, much to her surprise, an unexpected surge of inspiration will gradually fuel both her stagnant artistic expression and her thirst for revenge on those who have assaulted women. Now, Noelle becomes a pitiless vigilante who uses her newly-found sex-appeal to serve her cause.

Cast

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Release

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The film premiered at South by Southwest on March 13, 2017.[1][3] On June 8, 2017, Dark Sky Films acquired distribution rights to the film.[4] The film was released on October 13, 2017, by Dark Sky Films.[5]

Critical reception

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Rotten Tomatoes reported an 80% approval rating, based on 25 reviews, with an average score of 6.8/10.[6]

The Hollywood Reporter staff said the film was "less a pulse-pounding thriller than a conversation starter about injustice and vigilantism."[7] Leah Pickett of the Chicago Reader praised Francesca Eastwood's performance, calling it "magnetic and convincing", but criticizing the character's "implausibly quick switch from wallflower to assassin."[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b Andrew Barker (2017-03-21). "'M.F.A.' Review". Variety. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  2. ^ admin (2020-10-15). "Screenwriter Interview – Leah McKendrick (writer of Voicemails for Isabelle)". ScriptShadow. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  3. ^ Kate Erbland (2017-03-15). "'M.F.A.' Review: Francesca Eastwood Breaks Out in Rape Revenge Drama". IndieWire. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  4. ^ Dave McNary (2017-06-08). "Francesca Eastwood's SXSW Movie 'M.F.A.' Goes to Dark Sky". Variety. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  5. ^ Clark Collis (2017-10-13). "Francesca Eastwood: Sexual assault discussion featured in M.F.A. clip". Ew.com. Retrieved 2017-10-17.
  6. ^ M.F.A. (2017), retrieved 2021-08-16
  7. ^ T. H. R. Staff (2017-10-13). "'M.F.A.': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
  8. ^ Pickett, Leah (2018-09-25). "Film Archives". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
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