Last night, Sam Esmail’s “Leave the World Behind” opened the AFI Film Festival. Reviews so far seem to be all over the place. IndieWire calls it “messy,” but still gives it a positive notice. Screen is also positive. THR is negative. Next Best Picture hated it. Meanwhile, Awards Watch claims the film makes “Bird Box” look genius. The film will stream via Netflix on December 8th.
The ‘Smile’ franchise has a new director. David Bruckner, who made “The Night House” and the 2022 “Hellraiser” reboot, has been hired to direct “Smile 3” for Paramount.