In Blue, a disturbing psychological drama directed by Spencer Folmar and produced by Mark Duplass, veteran actor Reed Birney gives one of the most terrifying performances of his career. The movie will premiere at Sundance in 2025. It deals with taboo subjects in a careful and morally complex way, making it one of the most controversial independent films of the year.
Blue is about a man who lives alone in a small American town and is trying to find redemption while dealing with dark impulses. Reed Birney, who is best known for his roles in Mass and The Menu, plays the main character with an unsettling calmness that is both caring and morally troubling. The movie doesn’t make excuses for his character’s past; instead, it looks at shame, loneliness, and the chance of forgiveness.
Mark Duplass, who is a brave producer, supports the film’s simple story and tense mood. Blue doesn’t use explicit sensationalism, but its quiet tone and slow pace make people feel uncomfortable. Critics say it is a disturbing but thought-provoking character study that is similar to Todd Solondz’s Happiness and Kevin Bacon’s The Woodsman.
People have mixed feelings about Blue, but they all agree that the writing is great and Birney’s performance is haunting. The movie doesn’t give viewers easy moral answers; instead, it makes them think about how complicated human guilt and empathy can be.
Blue will keep playing at festivals this fall, and then it will probably come out in theaters in a limited way in 2025.
