Richard Kelly is Back

July 1, 2:45 PMLA Indie Movie ExaminerJeffrey King

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If you were offered one million dollars in exchange for the death of somebody you’ve never met, would you take it?

That’s the question posed by “The Box,” the new film from writer/director Richard Kelly. The thriller was financed by MRC and will open in theatres this October.

Kelly is no stranger to supernatural thrillers. He broke onto the Hollywood scene in 2001 when his film “Donnie Darko” became a cult mega-hit. The ensemble piece, which featured Patrick Swayze, Drew Barrymore, and a then unknown sibling duo of Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal, won a host of accolades, including best picture nominations at both the Sundance Film Festival as well as the Independent Spirit Awards.

Five years later, Kelly released “Southland Tales” which is a modern retelling of the Apocalypse. The success of “Donnie Darko” help attract some major talent to the picture, with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Justin Timberlake, Seann William Scott, and Sarah Michelle Gellar all signing on. While it was nominated for the Palm d’Or at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival, the film ultimately did not fare well at the box office and was generally panned by the American critics.

Next up for Kelly is “The Box,” which stars Academy Award nominee Frank Langella, four time Golden Globe nominee Cameron Diaz, and “X-Men” series alumnus James Marsden. The story focuses on a couple who, while they appear to be living the perfect life, are struggling financially. One night, a mysterious man comes to their door with an offer: push a big red button in a wooden box and receive one million dollars. The only catch is that somebody they don’t know will die.

Kelly is that rare breed of director who is able to combine cerebral scientific philosophy with genuine action and thrills. His work is reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick in it’s ability to present complex ideas with often simple and intriguing visual artistry.

You may not always understand the message of Kelly’s films, but you’ll have a great time trying to figure it out.

Check out the HD trailer for "The Box" HERE.