The Machine is a 2023 American action comedy film directed by Peter Atencio inspired by the 2016 stand-up routine of the same name created by Bert Kreischer. The film stars Kreischer as a fictionalized version of himself, with Mark Hamill, Jimmy Tatro, Iva Babić, Stephanie Kurtzuba and Jessica Gabor.
Following its viral success, Legendary Entertainment acquired the rights of Kreischer's true story stand-up routine into a feature film adaptation in September 2018. Most of the lead cast members were hired from April to June 2021. Filming began in Serbia in April 2021 through Balkanic Media.
The Machine was released in the United States on May 26, 2023, by Sony Pictures Releasing.
Plot[]
Template:More plot In 1999, college freshman Bert Kreischer goes on a trip to Russia. During a night of hard partying, Bert befriends a tour guide named Igor along with his friends and becomes "The Machine", a legend in Russian folklore.
Twenty-three years later, Bert is now a stand-up comedian and podcaster, having turned his story into a comedy special that goes viral on YouTube. Bert is also in a tense relationship with his wife and elder daughter Sasha. While at a family cookout, Bert is unexpectedly reunited with his estranged father Albert despite their tense relationship.
Bert is then confronted by Irina, a Russian mobster. It’s soon revealed that Bert inadvertently stole an antique pocket watch belonging to Irina's father, an act which led to his starting his own organized crime syndicate. Seeking revenge, Irina kidnaps Bert along with his father with the intention of punishing Bert for his wrongdoings upon arrival in Russia.
Cast[]
- Bert Kreischer as himself
- Jimmy Tatro as young Bert Kreischer[5]
- Mark Hamill as Albert Kreischer, Sr., Bert's father
- Jessica Gabor as Sasha Kreischer, Bert’s eldest daughter
- Iva Babić as Irina, a mobster[6]
- Stephanie Kurtzuba as LeeAnn
- Nikola Đuričko as Igor[5]
- Marko Nedeljkovic as young Igor
- Oleg Taktarov as Train Igor[5]
- Robert Maaser as Alexei, Irina's brother[5]
- Rita Bernard Shaw as Ashley[5]
- Amelie Villiers as Tatiana[5]
- Mercedes De La Cruz as a teacher[5]
Production[]
In September 2019, Legendary Entertainment acquired the rights to develop comedian Bert Kreischer's true story stand-up routine into a feature film adaptation following its viral success.[7] In April 2021, Peter Atencio was hired to direct and produce the film with Kreischer and Judi Marmel.[8][9][10] Kevin Biegel and Scotty Landes wrote the film.[11] Joseph Trapanese composed the film's original score.[12]
In April 2021, Kreischer was set to play himself and Mark Hamill was cast as Bert's father, Albert Kreischer Sr.[8] Jess Gabor was cast as Bert's daughter.[11] In May and June 2021, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Mercedes De La Cruz and Jimmy Tatro were cast in the film.[13][14][15] Principal photography took place in Serbia in April 2021.[11][15][16]
Release[]
The Machine was released in the United States on May 26, 2023, by Screen Gems.[17][18]
Box office[]
In the United States and Canada, The Machine was released alongside The Little Mermaid, Kandahar, About My Father, and You Hurt My Feelings. The film was projected to gross around $5 million from 2,409 theaters over its four-day Memorial Day opening weekend.[19] The film made $2.2 million on its first day, $5 million in the traditional weekend, and $5.9 million over the four-day frame.[20] In its second weekend, the film declined 66% to $1.7 million, finishing in eighth place.[21][22]
Critical response[]
On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 27% of 4.2 critics gave the film a positive review, with an average rating of 22/10. On the website, the critics' consensus reads, "A sloppily lifeless movie that's strictly for hardcore Bert Kreischer fans, The Machine is broken beyond repair."[23] Using a weighted average calculator, Metacritic assigned the film a score of 37 out of 100, based on seven critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.[24] Audiences surveyed by PostTrak gave the film an overall 78% positive score, with 60% saying they would definitely recommend it.[2]
References[]
- ↑ The Machine (15) (April 28, 2023).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 26, 2023). ‘Little Mermaid’ Singing Loudly With $125M Memorial Day Weekend Opening – Friday Update.
- ↑ Template:Cite The Numbers
- ↑ Template:Cite Box Office Mojo
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Pedersen, Erik (2023-02-23). The Machine Redband Trailer: Bert Kreischer & Mark Hamill Vs. Revenge-Bent Russians In Wild Action-Comedy.
- ↑ The Machine Press Notes.
- ↑ Legendary Lands Rights to Bert Kreischer's Viral Story 'The Machine' (Exclusive) (September 16, 2019).
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Kroll, Justin (April 13, 2021). Mark Hamill Joins Bert Kreischer In Legendary's 'The Machine' Based on Kreischer's Viral Story.
- ↑ Couch, Aaron (April 13, 2021). Mark Hamill, Comedian Bert Kreischer to Star in 'The Machine' for Legendary.
- ↑ Kroll, Justin (April 14, 2021). Peter Atencio To Direct Legendary's 'The Machine' Starring Bert Kreischer.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Kroll, Justin (April 27, 2021). Jess Gabor Joins Legendary's 'The Machine' Starring Bert Kreischer and Mark Hamill.
- ↑ Joseph Trapanese Scoring Peter Atencio's The Machine (February 15, 2022).
- ↑ Kroll, Justin (May 5, 2021). Stephanie Kurtzuba Joins Legendary's 'The Machine' Starring Bert Kreischer.
- ↑ Kroll, Justin (June 9, 2021). Mercedes De La Cruz Joins Legendary's 'The Machine' Starring Bert Kreischer.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Kroll, Justin (June 14, 2021). 'Home Economics' Star Jimmy Tatro Joins Legendary's 'The Machine' Starring Bert Kreischer.
- ↑ Makuch, Eddie (April 13, 2021). Mark Hamill To Star In Movie About Bert Kreischer's Viral "The Machine" Story.
- ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (January 5, 2023). Sony Dates Legendary Pictures' Bert Kreischer Pic The Machine For Memorial Day Weekend.
- ↑ THE MACHINE | Sony Pictures Entertainment.
- ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (May 24, 2023). Box Office: ‘The Little Mermaid’ Swimming to $120 Million-Plus Over Memorial Day Weekend.
- ↑ The Machine.
- ↑ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Rubin, Rebecca (June 4, 2023). "Box Office: 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' Slingshots to Huge $120.5 Million Debut". Variety. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
- ↑ Domestic 2023 Weekend 22.
- ↑ The Machine. Fandango Media.
- ↑ The Machine (2023) Reviews. Fandom, Inc..
External links[]
- Official website
- Template:Imdb title