Malcolm & Marie

R

Released Jan 29, 2021

1 hr. 46 min.

Drama

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List

56%

250 Reviews

Tomatometer

67%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Writer/Director Sam Levinson teams up with Zendaya and John David Washington for an achingly romantic drama in which a filmmaker (Washington) and his girlfriend (Zendaya) return home following a celebratory movie premiere as he awaits what's sure to be imminent critical and financial success. The evening suddenly takes a turn as revelations about their relationships begin to surface, testing the strength of their love.

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Critics Consensus

Malcolm & Marie's ambitions aren't always satisfactorily fulfilled, but its flaws are often offset by the strong chemistry between the film's stars.

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Audience Consensus

Zendaya and John David Washington bring Malcolm & Marie to life, even when the story and the dialogue they're given don't do them any favors.

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Molly M

Directed by Euphoria's Sam Levinson, 'Malcolm & Marie' is a compelling drama set against a gorgeous black and white world. Both Zendaya and John David Washington deliver career-defining performances as a filmmaker and his girlfriend in this sensational two-hander. Set within the walls of a contemporary home, 'Malcolm & Marie' is about a filmmaker (John David Washington) and his girlfriend (Zendaya) who fall into a night of love and vexation after returning from Malcolm's movie premiere. Malcolm realises something is wrong as Marie silently prepares some Mac and Cheese and warns him "Nothing productive will be said tonight", as Malcolm pushes her to tell him what's bothering her. Marie comes clean, asking Malcolm why he didn't thank her in his speech at the premiere. Malcolm claims her forgot, but that's just the tip of the iceberg for the pair. Revelations about the couple's relationship begin to surface and their love put to the test. Zendaya and Washington both deliver the performance of their careers over the 106 minutes. The chemistry between the two is outstanding and they appear incredibly connected to viewers even while screaming across at each other. The 12-year age gap between Zendaya and Washington may concern some viewers, but they'll see those 12 years cause no problems with them on-screen. The fact that there are only two cast members gives 'Malcolm & Marie' a sense of containment and calm that pulls viewers even closer into their relationship and what's being said on screen really stays with viewers. Shot in black and white and on 35mm film, 'Malcolm & Marie' is a film that completely captivates it's viewers and makes them feel like they're in the scene with Malcolm and Marie. The camera work throughout is stunning and adds to the sense of tranquillity the film gives off. Caterpillar House in Carmel, California is the perfect setting for 'Malcolm & Marie' it's the modern, contemporary setting the film needed. Levinson reunites with British artist Labrinth to create a sensational score for the film. The pair had previously worked together on HBO's 'Euphoria' which Zendaya starred in the leading role. As well as directing, Sam Levinson writes the script, which is a war of words with love and intimacy weaved throughout. The film explores many emotionally heavy themes. It explores how love is shown between two people who are in a relationship with each other. The support and strength needed to be in a relationship with someone is also shown through the character's various monologues. The quote 'It's not until you're about to lose someone that you finally pay attention' show how, when you're with someone, you can actually start to take advantage of having them in your life. It's one of the many things 'Malcolm & Marie' tries to get across to its viewers - cherish the people you have in your life because one day they might not be there. Malcolm makes the point that whenever a film has majority/entirely POC cast, it's overlooked and simply seen as the director trying to make a political statement when it might not be. He expresses his annoyance of this when he recalls his conversation with a film critic, in which he states 'Just because the film doesn't star anybody that looks like her doesn't mean it's political '. 'Malcolm & Marie' isn't just a cinematic masterpiece, it's a film that explores various themes and ideas in such a simple way. Beautifully shot, superbly acted, 'Malcolm & Marie' is a great film for many reasons, whether it be the superb job Levinson does in the director's chair, or the Oscar-worthy performances the cast gives. Viewers that enjoy a more active, high-octane film may find 'Malcolm & Marie' isn't a film for them, but fans of Levinson will see how the film resonates with some of his previous work, including the 2019 series 'Euphoria'. So, if you're a sucker for a domestic drama, this is definitely the film for you, but given the thousands of projects Netflix has to offer, don't be disheartened if it isn't.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Emma L

I know a lot of people didn't like it, but for me movies like Malcom & Marie connect to each person differently. While many had a hard time concentrating on the fights, I was amazed by the dialog and acting. It made me feel like in was in the moment, watching a fight of two extraordinary actors playing very complex and beautifully written characters. Even though the movie didn't make me feel a lot throughout the dialog, it definitely made me think and I believe that is a big aspect of watching and especially criticizing a movie. It is one thing to make you feel something. It's a completely different thing to make you actually think about something. For me this movie is one of the best ones I've ever seen. It is most definitely going onto my personally list of the 100 best movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Ricardo C

It's distressing, problematic, it's AMAZING! It's ART.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/12/22

Full Review

steve d

Not a lot happens, and I am riveted every moment with these great performances and smart script.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Samuella O

Great movie. But I get why people don't like it, it feels like you part of the argument which makes it so realistic l. I love it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/23/22

Full Review

david d

Malcom and Marie is a cinematography masterpiece, I cant stand the fact this didnt win that many awards with its amazing drama and how the couple develops its relashionship 9.5/10

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Sam Levinson

Director

Zendaya

Marie

John David Washington

Malcolm

Sam Levinson

Screenwriter

Ashley Levinson

Producer

Sam Levinson

Producer

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Malcolm & Marie: Trailer 1

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Michael Blackmon

BuzzFeed News

Malcolm & Marie feels half-baked.

Dec 17, 2021

Full Review

Esther Zuckerman

Thrillist

Malcolm & Marie is beautiful... But there's never any reason to be invested in these two people or the outcome of their romance.

Jul 29, 2021

Full Review

Soraya Nadia McDonald

Andscape

Malcolm & Marie doesn't accomplish much besides telling on its progenitor.

Mar 9, 2021

Full Review

Amy Smith

InSession Film

It is not only the script and the isolated performances that allows this film to be vulnerable.

Rated: A+

Feb 29, 2024

Full Review

Jillian Chilingerian

Offscreen With Jillian

The structure of Malcolm and Marie reminds me of being in a class discussion where someone continues to use devil's advocate over and over again to see the many possibilities of the conversation.

Aug 22, 2023

Full Review

Zach Pope

Zach Pope Reviews

A Masterpiece

Jul 26, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

Writer/Director Sam Levinson teams up with Zendaya and John David Washington for an achingly romantic drama in which a filmmaker (Washington) and his girlfriend (Zendaya) return home following a celebratory movie premiere as he awaits what's sure to be imminent critical and financial success. The evening suddenly takes a turn as revelations about their relationships begin to surface, testing the strength of their love.

Director: Sam Levinson
Executive Producer: Scott "Kid Cudi" Mescudi, Aaron L. Gilbert, Will Greenfield, Yariv Milchan, Michael Schaefer
Screenwriter: Sam Levinson
Distributor: Netflix
Production Co: Little Lamb, The Reasonable Bunch
Rating: R (Pervasive Language|Sexual Content)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 29, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 5, 2021
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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