THE LINE Trailer 2 (2024) Halle Bailey

THE LINE Trailer 2 (2024) Halle Bailey

THE LINE Trailer 2 (2024) Halle Bailey, Alex Wolff, John Malkovich, Scoot McNairy, Angus Cloud
© 2024 - Utopia

"Do you want to be part of a family?!?" Utopia has debuted the full official trailer for the fraternity thriller tilted The Line, which is now releasing this fall. It originally premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival last year, with stops at the Zurich & Sarastoa Film Fests. The Line is a campus thriller that plunges into the dangerous world of college frats & blind adherence to tradition. Alex Wolff as Tom, a scholarship student seduced into the alluring, dangerous world of fraternities. Desperate to flee his working-class background, Tom is torn between a new romance with a classmate and the machinations of his fraternity president, becoming ensnared in a perilous game of ambition and loyalty. Wolff stars with Lewis Pullman and Halle Bailey. The Line cast also features Austin Abrams, the late Angus Cloud, Bo Mitchell, Cheri Oteri, Scoot McNairy, Denise Richards, and John Malkovich. Looks really disturbing and unsettling, but that's the point – to accurately portray how messed & insane the fraternity life is nowadays. It's not for me.

Here's the official red band trailer for Ethan Berger's film The Line, direct from Utopia's YouTube:

The Line Film

The Line Film

You can rewatch the initial teaser trailer for Berger's The Line film right here, for the first look again.

Alex Wolff stars as Tom, a scholarship student desperate to break free from his working-class background who is charmed by the prestigious KNA fraternity's promises of high social status and alumni connections that open doors. But upon beginning a romance with Annabelle (Halle Bailey), a classmate outside of his social circle, and the manipulative schemes of his fraternity president (Lewis Pullman) unfolding during the hazing of new members, Tom finds himself ensnared in a perilous game of ambition and loyalty. The Line is directed by newcomer writer / filmmaker Ethan Berger, who's making his feature directorial debut with this project after a few other shorts. The screenplay is written by Ethan Berger and Alex Russek, from a story by Zack Purdo. Produced by Adam Paulsen, Alexandre Dauman, and Lije Sarki. This first premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival last year, and it also played at this year's Sarasota Film Festival. Utopia will debut Berger's The Line in select US theaters starting on October 18th, 2024 this fall. Anyone interested?
The Color Purple

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Blitz Bazawule
Screenplay by Marcus Gardley
Based on
The Color Purple
by Brenda Russell
Allee Willis
Stephen Bray
Marsha Norman
The Color Purple
by Alice Walker
Produced by
Oprah Winfrey
Steven Spielberg
Scott Sanders
Quincy Jones
Starring
Taraji P. Henson
Danielle Brooks
Colman Domingo
Corey Hawkins
H.E.R.
Halle Bailey
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
Phylicia Pearl Mpasi
Fantasia Barrino
Cinematography Dan Laustsen
Edited by Jon Poll
Music by Kris Bowers
Production
companies
Amblin Entertainment
OW Films
SGS Pictures
Quincy Jones Productions
Domain Entertainment[1]
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Release dates
November 20, 2023 (London)
December 25, 2023 (United States)
Running time 141 minutes[2]
Country United States
Language English
Budget $90–100 million[3][4]
Box office $67.5 million[5][6]
The Color Purple is a 2023 American musical period drama film directed by Blitz Bazawule. Marcus Gardley's screenplay is based on the stage musical of the same name, which in turn is based on the 1982 novel of the same name by Alice Walker. It is the second film adaptation of the novel, following the 1985 film directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by Spielberg and Quincy Jones. Spielberg and Jones return as producers for the 2023 film, along with its Broadway producers Scott Sanders and Oprah Winfrey, the latter of whom also starred in the 1985 film.

The film stars Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, and Fantasia Barrino in her film debut. Brooks and Barrino reprise their roles from the productions of the stage musical. It tells the story of Celie, an African American woman dealing with the hardships of living with an abusive husband and living in the American South during the early 1900s.

The Color Purple premiered in London on November 20, 2023, and was released in the United States on December 25, 2023, by Warner Bros. Pictures. Although it received positive reviews from critics, it performed poorly at the box office grossing $67.5 million against a budget of $90–100 million. Danielle Brooks was lauded for her performance, receiving nominations for the Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actress. At the 55th NAACP Image Awards, the film won a record-breaking eleven awards out of sixteen nominations, including Outstanding Motion Picture and acting wins for Barrino, Henson, Domingo, and the ensemble cast.

Plot
In 1909 Georgia, teenager Celie Harris lives with her sister Nettie and abusive father Alfonso. After her mother died, Alfonso started raping Celie, causing her to become pregnant twice. When Celie gives birth to her second child, Adam, Alfonso takes the child away as he had the first, Olivia. He then forces her to marry a local farmer and father of three, Albert "Mister" Johnson.

When Alfonso tries to molest Nettie, she moves into Mister's farmhouse, but when Nettie rebuffs his sexual advances he banishes her from his land; as she leaves, she promises to write to Celie every day. By 1917, Celie is still married to Mister. His son Harpo marries fierce, defiant Sofia, and builds a house for her. Celie befriends Sofia, but in a moment of jealousy advises Harpo to beat Sofia. Sofia leaves Harpo as a result, and he converts the house into a juke joint.

Independent jazz singer Shug Avery, Mister's longtime lover, comes to town to perform at the joint and stays at Mister's house for a few days. Around the time, Mister's equally abusive father visits. Harpo has been seeing another woman, who he calls "Squeak". When he tries to dance with Sofia, Squeak cuts in and ends up starting a fight that trashes the joint. Escaping the brawl, Shug takes Celie to see a movie; the two kiss at the movie theatre and sleep together that night. In the morning, Shug picks up Mister's mail and finds a letter to Celie from Nettie; the two search the house and discover dozens of other letters from Nettie that Mister hid from Celie. The letters reveal that Nettie has been living in Africa and caring for Adam and Olivia, who were adopted by missionaries.

In 1930, the mayor's wife condescendingly offers Sofia a job as her maid; when Sofia refuses she gets involved in a physical fight, resulting in her arrest. She is released after six years and ends up having to work for the mayor's wife anyway, sinking into a deep depression that seemingly takes away all of her fierceness.

On Easter Sunday in 1943, when Shug and her new husband Grady are visiting, Celie confronts Mister in front of his father and their family. She leaves him and moves to Memphis with Shug. Squeak, whose real name is Mary Agnes, goes with them, inspiring Sofia out of her stupor. Celie vows to Mister that until he does right by her, everything in his life will crumble.

In 1945, when Alfonso dies, his wife reveals to Celie that he was not Celie or Nettie's biological father, and the sisters now own the grocery store and the home they were brought up in. Celie moves back to Georgia and becomes a tailor, selling pants in the former grocery store. Meanwhile, Mister has become a miserable drunk. He vows to do right by Celie and plots to reunite Celie and Nettie, selling some of his land to pay for Nettie to return from Africa. Later he visits her shop and buys a pair of pants; while she is hesitant to see him, she agrees to maintain a friendship with him.

In 1947, Celie reunites with Nettie, along with Adam and Olivia. She joins hands with them as she and everyone else thanks God for how far they have come.

Cast

Top row: (left to right) Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks and Colman Domingo
Bottom row: (left to right) Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey and Ciara
Fantasia Barrino as Celie Harris-Johnson
Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as young Celie
Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery
Danielle Brooks as Sofia
Colman Domingo as Albert "Mister" Johnson
Corey Hawkins as Harpo Johnson
H.E.R.[a] as Mary "Squeak" Agnes
Halle Bailey as Nettie Harris
Ciara as older Nettie
Louis Gossett Jr. as Ol' Mister Johnson. This was Gossett's final role released before his death in 2024.
Jon Batiste as Grady
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Mama
David Alan Grier as Rev. Samuel Avery
Deon Cole as Alfonso
Tamela Mann as First Lady
Elizabeth Marvel as Miss Millie
Stephen Hill as Henry "Buster" Broadnax
Additionally, Whoopi Goldberg makes a cameo appearance as a midwife who helps young Celie give birth. Goldberg previously portrayed Celie in the original film.[7]

Production
Development

Director Blitz Bazawule (left), and producers Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones.
In November 2018, it was reported that a film adaptation of the musical was in development at Warner Bros. Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, the same companies that made the 1985 film adaptation of the novel, with Steven Spielberg, Quincy Jones, Scott Sanders, and Oprah Winfrey all signed on to produce.[8] In August 2020, it was announced that Marcus Gardley will pen the screenplay and Black Is King's Blitz Bazawule will direct.[9] Winfrey praised the selection of Bazawule as director, after she and the producers saw his work on The Burial of Kojo, saying that they "were all blown away by Blitz's unique vision as a director and look forward to seeing how he brings the next evolution of this beloved story to life." It was also announced that Alice Walker, Rebecca Walker, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Carla Gardini, and Mara Jacobs will executive produce the film.[9] Siedah Garrett joined Brenda Russell and Stephen Bray (in place of the late Allee Willis) in contributing new material to the film's score.[10]

Casting
In August 2021, Corey Hawkins was cast in a lead role.[11] That same month, H.E.R. was cast in her feature acting debut.[12] In February 2022, Taraji P. Henson, Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, and Halle Bailey joined the cast, with Barrino and Brooks reprising their roles from productions of the stage musical.[13][14][15] In March 2022, Louis Gossett Jr., David Alan Grier, Tamela J. Mann, Phylicia Mpasi, Deon Cole, Stephen Hill, and Ciara joined the cast.[16][17] In April 2022, Aunjanue Ellis, Elizabeth Marvel and Jon Batiste joined the cast.[18][19][20]

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Oprah Winfrey reported that the film had difficulty getting the cast that Bazawule wanted, as there were other productions with African American artists in progress.[21] However, Winfrey explained that "if you were making this film for $30 or $40 million, the interest in the cast would be very different", but some producers put pressure on the names of the cast when the film hit $90–100 million in production, asking to include Beyoncé or Rihanna in the cast.[21][22][23]

Filming
Filming began in March 2022, with production taking place at Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island from March 16 to March 25.[24] Filming officially wrapped in July 2022.

Allegations of unfair working conditions
In a 2024 interview with The New York Times, Taraji P. Henson spoke out against unfair pay and working conditions while working on the film.[25] Henson said the studio forced her to audition despite being the director's first choice. She said, "At this point I’m a Golden Globe-winner and Academy Award–nominated...So I went in there with a chip on my shoulder because I was like, ‘You will never second-guess me again".[26][27][28] Henson also alleged the production forced the cast to drive in production cars to set. She disagreed with the decision, citing safety and liability concerns, and alleged that she asked, "'Can I get a driver or security to take me?' I’m not asking for the moon. They’re like, 'Well, if we do it for you, we got to do it for everybody.' Well, do it for everybody! It’s stuff like that, stuff I shouldn’t have to fight for."[29][30] Fellow actor Danielle Brooks revealed the actors did not initially get their own dressing rooms when they showed up for rehearsals, nor was food provided to them at that time.[31] The cast reached out to Oprah Winfrey, one of the film's producers who eventually resolved the issue.[32][33][34]

Producer Oprah Winfrey said of the matter, "I’m not in charge of the budget," adding" "whenever I heard there was an issue or there was a problem, there was a problem with a cars or the problem with their food, I would step in and do whatever I could to make it right. And I believe that [Taraji] would even vouch for that and say that is true.”[35] In 2024, Henson told Today, that she hopes the film's negative press surrounding the working conditions doesn't distract from the film. She said, "I hope they can focus back onto this film, because right now, to me, it feels like what I said is now becoming louder than this beautiful film". She also defended Oprah saying, "What you’re not gonna do is pit two Black women together".[36]

Differences between stage and screen versions
On December 1, 2023, BroadwayWorld revealed that the film will not be a direct copy-and-paste adaptation of the stage musical, with elements from the novel and the 1985 film also being featured, including "Miss Celie’s Blues (Sister)," the song sung by the character of Shug Avery in the 1985 film. 13 songs from the musical were cut from the film, including "Somebody Gonna Love You," "Our Prayer," "Big Dog," "Dear God - Sofia," "Brown Betty", "Uh-Oh," "African Homeland," "Celie's Curse," "Any Little Thing," "What About Love (Reprise)," "That Fine Mister," "A Tree Named Sofia," and "All We Got to Say," while a song cut from the stage production, titled "She Be Mine," was reinstated for this film.[37][38]

Music
Soundtrack
Main article: The Color Purple (2023 soundtrack)
On November 27, the soundtrack's musicians and singers were revealed to be executive produced by Quincy Jones, Larry Jackson and Scott Sanders via Warner Bros. records, WaterTower Music and Gamma.[39][40][41] The soundtrack features songs by Alicia Keys, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Megan Thee Stallion, Jennifer Hudson, Tamela Mann, Mörda, Brenden Praise, Keyshia Cole, Ludmilla, Jorja Smith, Coco Jones, Mary Mary, Missy Elliott and the film's actors Halle Bailey, H.E.R, Fantasia and Ciara.[42][43] Compositions from the Broadway production will be included, such as "She Be Mine" and "Shug Avery Comin' to Town", along with new, original music for the film.[44]

American record production and songwriting duo Nova Wav, composed by Denisia Andrews and Brittany Coney were involved in the project by the director Bazawule.[45] The duo wrote and composed original song "Keep It Movin'", with Morten Ristorp and Halle Bailey, and it is performed by Bailey and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi.[46] The song was published on November 11, 2023. On November 27, 2023, "Lifeline" was published as the second original song from the film, written and performed by Alicia Keys.[47]

The soundtrack album was released on December 15, 2023, by WaterTower Music with the title The Color Purple (Music From and Inspired By).[41] A second official soundtrack album showcasing the film's score, which was composed by Kris Bowers, was released alongside the film itself on December 25, 2023.[48]

Musical numbers
"Huckleberry Pie" - Nettie and young Celie
"Mysterious Ways" - First Lady, Rev. Samuel Avery, Nettie and Ensemble
"She Be Mine" - Young Celie and Ensemble
"Keep It Movin'" - Nettie and young Celie
"Workin" - Harpo and Ensemble
"Hell No!" - Sofia and Ensemble
"Shug Avery" - Celie, Mister and Ensemble
"Dear God – Shug" - Celie
"Push Da Button" - Shug
"What About Love?" - Celie and Shug
"Agoo" - Ensemble
"Hell No! (Reprise)" - Celie
"Miss Celie's Blues (Sister)" - Shug
"Miss Celie's Pants" - Celie, Sofia, Shug, Squeak and Ensemble
"I'm Here" - Celie
"Maybe God Is Tryin' To Tell You Somethin" - Shug and Rev. Samuel Avery
"The Color Purple" - Celie, Sofia, Shug, older Nettie, Harpo, Mister and Ensemble
Release
The film had its world premiere in London on November 20, 2023, and was released theatrically on December 25, 2023.[49] It was originally scheduled to be released on December 20, 2023, but later switched release dates with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.[50][51]

Home media
The Color Purple was released for digital platforms on January 16, 2024, and followed a Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K UHD release on March 12, 2024.[52] The film was available to stream on Max beginning February 16, 2024.[53]

Reception
Box office
The Color Purple grossed $60.6 million in the United States and Canada, and $6.9 million in other territories, for a worldwide gross of $67.5 million.[5][6] Variety reported that the film lost the studio $40 million, when factoring together all expenses and revenues.[54]

In the United States and Canada, The Color Purple was released alongside Ferrari and The Boys in the Boat, and was projected to gross $8–10 million from 3,203 theaters on its first day.[55] It exceeded expectations and grossed $18.2 million, finishing third at the box office for the day.[3][56] Its opening day was the second-highest domestic opening for a film on Christmas Day of all-time (behind Sherlock Holmes' $24.6 million in 2009), and the highest-grossing domestic opening day for a musical post-COVID 19 pandemic.[57] The following weekend the film made $11.7 million, finishing fourth at the box office and totaling $44 million over its first week of release.[58] In its second weekend, the film made $4.8 million, finishing seventh.[59]

Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 81% of 250 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.3/10. The website's consensus reads: "Building on the legacy of the previous film adaptation while incorporating elements of the stage musical, The Color Purple is a crowd-pleasing testament to resilience in the face of trauma."[60] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 72 out of 100, based on 49 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[61] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale, while PostTrak reported 92% of filmgoers gave it a positive score.[3] Multiple publications listed it as one of the best films of 2023, including the New York Post,[62] Deadline Hollywood,[63] and People.[64]

Pete Hammond, reviewing the film for Deadline Hollywood, reports that although "Spielberg’s version still resonates", the direction of Bazawule "brings a unique vision that makes this version stand on its own as an authentic and valuable addition to The Color Purple legacy", appreciating the photography of Dan Laustsen, which "gives a vision of the early 20th century South rarely seen in films depicting the period, particularly Black lives".[65] Katie Walsh of Los Angeles Times described the director's approach as "modern, while paying homage to the traditions of Broadway musicals", while the cast "takes your breath away", praising Barrino for her "stunning performance as Celie, holding the emotional center over decades" and Brooks, who "steals the whole movie, [...] She brings fire, humor and grit to a character who undergoes a dramatic, tragic arc".[66]

Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian wrote that although "the plot strands are to finally tie up with startling serendipity", with "warmth and vehemence in this movie, especially in the big ensemble numbers", the film "is less successful in the solo scenes and the evocation of loneliness and suppressed despair", appreciating "an absolute powerhouse trio of female leads here, supercharging the action with their fierce charisma" by Barrino, Henson and Brooks' performances.[67] Peter Debruge of Variety pointed out that the film made "a satisfying improvement" from the original film adaptation, adding "expressionistic flourishes". Even if "some of these tricks work better than others", the journalist wrote that "all work to expand the experience, making The Color Purple feel even more monumental than it did in Spielberg’s hands".[68]

Accolades
With her nomination for Best Supporting Actress, Danielle Brooks became the second actor nominated for playing the role of Sofia, after Oprah Winfrey's Oscar-nominated performance from the 1985 film.

The Color Purple led the nominations at the 55th NAACP Image Awards with sixteen nominations, and ultimately won eleven, including Outstanding Motion Picture, Outstanding Lead Actress (Fantasia Barrino), Outstanding Supporting Actress (Taraji P. Henson), Outstanding Supporting Actor (Colman Domingo), and Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture. The film surpassed the ten-nomination record jointly held by Black Panther, The Best Man, and Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey to become the most awarded and nominated film in the history of the ceremony.

Award Date of ceremony Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards January 17, 2024 Best Picture/Best Movie for Grownups The Color Purple Nominated [69]
Best Supporting Actor Colman Domingo Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Taraji P. Henson Nominated
Best Ensemble The cast of The Color Purple[70] Won
Academy Awards March 10, 2024 Best Supporting Actress Danielle Brooks Nominated [71]
African-American Film Critics Association Awards January 15, 2024 Top 10 Films of the Year The Color Purple 3rd place [72]
Best Musical Won
Best Supporting Actress Danielle Brooks Won
Best Ensemble The cast of The Color Purple[70] Won
Best Music Kris Bowers Won
Alliance of Women Film Journalists January 3, 2024 Best Actress in a Supporting Role Danielle Brooks Nominated [73]
Artios Awards March 7, 2024 Outstanding Achievement in Casting – Big Budget Feature (Drama) Bernard Telsey, Tiffany Little Canfield, Destiny Lilly Nominated [74]
Astra Film and Creative Awards January 6, 2024 Best Picture The Color Purple Nominated [75]
Best Actress Fantasia Barrino Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Danielle Brooks Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Colman Domingo Nominated
Best Cast Ensemble The cast of The Color Purple[70] Won
February 26, 2024 Best Hair and Makeup Carol Rasheed, Saisha Beecham,
Lawrence Davis, Tym Wallace Nominated
Best Costume Design Francine Jamison-Tanchuck Nominated
Best Casting Bernard Telsey, Destiny Lilly
Tiffany Little Canfield Nominated
Austin Film Critics Association Awards January 10, 2024 Best Supporting Actress Danielle Brooks Nominated [76]
BAFTA Film Awards February 18, 2024 Best Actress in a Leading Role Fantasia Barrino Nominated [77]
Best Actress in a Supporting Role Danielle Brooks Nominated
Black Reel Awards January 16, 2024 Outstanding Film The Color Purple Nominated [78]
Outstanding Director Blitz Bazawule Nominated
Outstanding Lead Performance Fantasia Barrino Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Performance Danielle Brooks Won
Colman Domingo Nominated
Taraji P. Henson Nominated
Outstanding Ensemble Tiffany Little Canfield, Destiny Lilly and Bernard Telsey Won
Outstanding Emerging Director Blitz Bazawule Nominated
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance Fantasia Barrino Won
Danielle Brooks Nominated
Phylicia Pearl Mpasi Nominated
Outstanding First Screenplay Marcus Gradley Nominated
Outstanding Editing Jon Poll Nominated
Outstanding Production Design Paul D. Austerberry Won
Outstanding Costume Design Francine Jamison-Tanchuck Won
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup Lawrence Davis and Carol Rasheed Won
Outstanding Score Kris Bowers Won
Outstanding Song "Keep It Movin'"[b] Won
Outstanding Soundtrack The Color Purple Won
Black Film Critics Circle December 20, 2023 Top Ten Films The Color Purple 3rd Place [79]
Best Supporting Actress Danielle Brooks Won
Celebration of Cinema and Television December 4, 2023 Ensemble Award – Film The cast of The Color Purple[70] Won [80]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards January 14, 2024 Best Picture The Color Purple Nominated [81]
Best Supporting Actress Danielle Brooks Nominated
Best Acting Ensemble The cast of The Color Purple[70] Nominated
Best Hair and Makeup The Color Purple Nominated
Best Costume Design Francine Jamison-Tanchuck Nominated
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association December 18, 2023 Best Supporting Actress Danielle Brooks 2nd place [82]
Denver Film Critics Society January 12, 2024 Best Supporting Performance by an Actor, Female Nominated [83]
Best Original Song "Keep It Moving" Nominated
Georgia Film Critics Association Awards January 5, 2024 Best Supporting Actress Danielle Brooks Nominated [84]
[85]
Best Ensemble The cast of The Color Purple[70] Nominated
Oglethorpe Award for Excellence in Georgia Cinema Blitz Bazawule, Marcus Gardley Nominated
GLAAD Media Awards March 14, 2024 Outstanding Film – Wide Release The Color Purple Nominated [86]
Gold Derby Film Awards February, 2024 Best Supporting Actress Danielle Brooks Nominated [87]
Golden Globe Awards January 7, 2024 Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical Fantasia Barrino Nominated [88]
Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture Danielle Brooks Nominated
Heartland Film 2023 Truly Moving Picture Award The Color Purple Won [89]
Hollywood Music in Media Awards November 15, 2023 Original Song — Feature Film "Keep It Movin'"[b] Nominated [90]
[91]
Song — Onscreen Performance (Film) "Keep It Movin'"[c] Nominated
Houston Film Critics Society Awards January 22, 2024 Best Picture The Color Purple Nominated [92]
Best Actress Fantasia Barrino Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Danielle Brooks Nominated
Best Original Song "Keep It Movin'"[b] Nominated
Las Vegas Film Critics Society December 13, 2023 Best Costumes The Color Purple Nominated [93]
Best Ensemble Nominated
Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild February 18, 2024 Best Period Hair Styling and/or Character Hair Styling Andrea Mona Bowman
Lawrence Davis, Tym Wallace Nominated [94]
NAACP Image Awards March 16, 2024 Outstanding Motion Picture The Color Purple Won [95]
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture Fantasia Barrino Won
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Danielle Brooks Nominated
Halle Bailey Nominated
Taraji P. Henson Won
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Colman Domingo Won
Corey Hawkins Nominated
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture Phylicia Pearl Mpasi Won
Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture The cast of The Color Purple[70] Won
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture) Blitz Bazawule Won
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture Marcus Gardley Nominated
Outstanding Original Score for TV/Film Kris Bowers Nominated
Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album The Color Purple (2023 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Won
Outstanding Costume Design Francine Jamison–Tanchuck Won
Outstanding Make-up Carol Rasheed, Saisha Beecham, Ngozi Olandu Young, Manny Davila, Milene Melendez Won
Outstanding Hairstyling Lawrence Davis, Tym Wallace, Andrea Mona Bowen, Angela Renae Dyson, Jorge Benitez Villalobos Won
North Texas Film Critics Association December 18, 2023 Best Newcomer Halle Bailey Nominated [96]
Palm Springs International Film Festival January 4, 2024 Spotlight Award - Actress Danielle Brooks Won [97]
People's Choice Awards February 18, 2024 The Drama Movie of the Year The Color Purple Nominated [98]
The Drama Movie Star of the Year Fantasia Barrino Nominated
The Movie Performance of the Year Danielle Brooks Nominated
Satellite Awards February 17, 2024 Best Actress in Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical Fantasia Barrino Nominated [99]
Best Costume Design Francine Jamison-Tanchuck Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards February 24, 2024 Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture The cast of The Color Purple[70] Nominated [100]
Outstanding Supporting Actress Danielle Brooks Nominated
Seattle Film Critics Society Awards January 8, 2024 Best Actress in a Supporting Role Danielle Brooks Nominated [101]
The Queerties February 28, 2023 Next Big Thing The Color Purple Nominated [102]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards December 10, 2023 Best Supporting Actress Danielle Brooks Nominated [103]
Best Original Score Kris Bowers Nominated
Women Film Critics Circle Awards December 18, 2023 Best Movie About Women The Color Purple Nominated [104]
Best Supporting Actress Danielle Brooks Nominated
Adrianne Shelly Award The Color Purple Won
Josephine Baker Award Runner-up
Notes
Credited onscreen as Gabriella Wilson "H.E.R."
(Halle Bailey, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Denisia Andrews, Brittany Coney and Morten Ristorp)
(Halle Bailey and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi)
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External links
Official website Edit this at Wikidata
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The Color Purple at Rotten Tomatoes Edit this at Wikidata
The Color Purple at Metacritic Edit this at Wikidata
The Color Purple at AllMovie Edit this at Wikidata
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Steven Spielberg
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Oprah Winfrey
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Quincy Jones
Awards for The Color Purple
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Get ready to experience a college fraternity movie like no other. This isn’t just another tale of hazing or campus antics—it’s a gripping thriller that delves into the allure and dangers of Greek life, featuring an all-star cast that includes Alex Wolff, Halle Bailey, Lewis Pullman, and John Malkovich. The Line, directed by Ethan Berger, is set to hit select theaters on October 18, with a broader release on October 23.

At the heart of The Line is Tom, played by Alex Wolff (Hereditary), a working-class student determined to climb the social ladder at his prestigious Southern college through the KNA fraternity. Tom’s ambition is fueled by the fraternity’s promises of lifelong connections and success, but the reality of Greek life soon becomes much darker. As he rises in the ranks, becoming head of recruitment, Tom is drawn into a web of manipulation and high-stakes gamesmanship led by the fraternity president, portrayed by Lewis Pullman (Thunderbolts). The tension escalates when Tom meets Annabelle, played by Halle Bailey (The Little Mermaid), who challenges his commitment to the fraternity and offers a glimpse of a different life.

Berger’s film, which premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Festival to critical acclaim, deftly transitions from a character study to a suspenseful thriller. The film’s ensemble cast adds depth to the story, with performances from Austin Abrams (Do Revenge), Bo Mitchell (Cobra Kai), and the legendary John Malkovich (Con Air) and Denise Richards (Starship Troopers), who play the parents of Tom’s conflicted best friend.

As the narrative unfolds, The Line explores the toxic pressures of fraternity culture, culminating in a climactic scene that is as shocking as it is inevitable. Berger, who co-wrote the script with Alex Russek, makes his feature film directorial debut with this project, marking a promising start for the filmmaker known for his work on ESPN’s miniseries More Than an Athlete.

With its intense storyline and standout performances, The Line is a thought-provoking addition to the genre, pushing audiences to question the true cost of blind loyalty and ambition within the insulated world of college fraternities.
Director Ethan Berger’s Tribeca 2023 film THE LINE hits theaters this week. The film follows Tom, a scholarship student desperately seeking the approval of his fraternity brothers and the perks that encircle them. After starting a relationship with classmate Annabelle, a girl his peers find unsuitable, Tom finds himself trapped between tradition and danger.

the line 1The script never shies away from the cringiest of frat behavior. Don’t feel bad for your repeated eye rolls. The soundtrack is perfect for 2014.

the line 2Austin Abrams gives pledge O’Brien a much-needed vulnerability within the hyper-toxic masculinity but also counters with his own brand of hideous aggression. Much like Tom’s, his facade is more nuanced than at first glance. Abrams is great as he challenges the system. Bo Mitchell plays Tom’s roommate Mitch Miller with an infectious exuberance. He’s a hurt kid who overcompensates for not fitting in. Mitchell is spectacular.

The-LineAlex Wolff instantly became a legend in Hereditary. As Tom, he plays both sides of the card. Tom is a genuinely good person and a weak sheep, and Wolff pulls it off effortlessly by digging into Tom’s unresolved trauma. He delivers an emotional rollercoaster for the audience.

the line Alex wolffTHE LINE has an authenticity that is infuriating, which is a compliment. It touches on privilege in a marvelously slick manner. The film boasts a finale that is nothing short of perfect. THE LINE is a film that every parent should watch and something every frat brother should acknowledge.

The Line Trailer:

Opens in select theaters on October 18th,
expands on October 23rd
Synopsis

The Line is a campus thriller that plunges into the dangerous world of college fraternities and blind adherence to tradition.

Alex Wolff stars as Tom, a scholarship student desperate to break free from his working-class background who is charmed by the prestigious KNA fraternity’s promises of high social status and alumni connections that open doors. But upon beginning a romance with Annabelle (Halle Bailey), a classmate outside of his social circle, and the manipulative schemes of his fraternity president (Lewis Pullman) unfolding during the hazing of new members, Tom finds himself ensnared in a perilous game of ambition and loyalty.

About the Director

Ethan Berger was born and raised in Los Angeles. He has his B.A. in Film Studies from Wesleyan University. He started his career as an editor before transitioning to writing and directing commercials. He’s made nationally televised spots for brands like Jordan Brand and Stella Artois and web spots for Nike and Intel. He was a writer and a producer on the 8-part mini-series “More Than an Athlete” for ESPN, chronicling the rise of LeBron James, Mav Carter, Rich Paul, and Randy Mims. His debut narrative The Line, which he wrote and directed, premiered at Tribeca Festival in the summer of 2023.

Director: Ethan Berger

Screenwriters: Ethan Berger, Alex Russek

Producers: Alexandre Dauman, Jack Parker, Adam Paulsen, Lije Sarki

Executive Producers: Taylor Grant, Zack Purdo, Ramanan Sivalingam, Dustin Zhang, Magnus Rausing, Ryan Alexander, Stacey Grant, Jay Van Hoy, Marc Porterfield

Cast: Alex Wolff, Lewis Pullman, Halle Bailey, Austin Abrams, Angus Cloud, Bo Mitchell, Cheri Oteri, Scoot McNairy, Denise Richards, John Malkovich

Cinematographer: Stefan Weinberger

Production Designer: Francesca Palombo

Costume Designer: Akua Murray-Adoboe

Editor: Ted Feldman

Composer: Daniel Rossen

Casting Director: Chris Freihofer

Country: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 100 minutes
After swimming to critical acclaim in ‘The Little Mermaid’ and ‘Color Purple,’ GRAMMY-nominated songstress Halle Bailey continues to build her movie resume – the latest venture being a leading role in the suspense thriller ‘The Line.’

Also starring the late Angus Cloud, Austin Abrams, Alex Wolff, Lewis Pullman, Scoot McNairy, Denise Richards, John Malkovich, and more, the film is described as “a campus thriller that plunges into the dangerous world of college fraternities and blind adherence to tradition.”

Directed by Ethan Berger, ‘Line’ is slated to march to select theaters on October 18 before expanding nationwide on October 23.

Ahead of its arrival, see the official trailer inside.
After swimming to critical acclaim in ‘The Little Mermaid’ and ‘Color Purple,’ GRAMMY-nominated songstress Halle Bailey continues to build her movie resume – the latest venture being a leading role in the suspense thriller ‘The Line.’

Also starring the late Angus Cloud, Austin Abrams, Alex Wolff, Lewis Pullman, Scoot McNairy, Denise Richards, John Malkovich, and more, the film is described as “a campus thriller that plunges into the dangerous world of college fraternities and blind adherence to tradition.”

Directed by Ethan Berger, ‘Line’ is slated to march to select theaters on October 18 before expanding nationwide on October 23.

Ahead of its arrival, see the official trailer inside.
‘The Line’ Trailer: Alex Wolff & Lewis Pullman Star In A Dark Frathouse Thriller
Edward Davis October 2, 2024 1:00 pm News, Trailers
Premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival, “The Line” has been described as a frathouse thriller, which obviously has intriguing implications about the dogmatic loyalties often expected in these peer groups. The...
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‘The Line’ Teaser: Alex Wolff, Lewis Pullman & Halle Bailey Star In Ethan Berger’s College Thriller
Charles Barfield August 26, 2024 2:45 pm News, Trailers
There’s something creepy about fraternities and sororities, right? They have such silly rules and seemingly smart kids all turn into lemmings to join their ranks. It’s strange. And that’s what’s at the heart o...
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Culturally, “The Color Purple” is many different things to many people. To some, it’s the Pulitzer Prize-winning 1982 novel of the same name by Alice Walker, the 1985 adaptation of that novel by Steven Spielbe...
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The live-action adaption of the beloved animated classic, “The Little Mermaid” —now over-scrutinized by everyone, especially bigots, in the lead-up to its release— hits high notes musically, but its murky visu...
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THE COLOR PURPLE’ movie musical. Starring Taraji P. Henson, Corey Hawkins, Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Halle Bailey, Colman Domingo and Grammy-winning artist H.E.R.
‘The Color Purple’ Musical Remake Adds Fantasia Taylor, Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo & More To The Cast
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Freeform Penned An Open Letter To The “Poor, Unfortunate Souls” That Don’t Like Halle Bailey’s Casting In ‘The Little Mermaid’
Charles Barfield July 8, 2019 2:01 pm News
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Not long after Lewis Pullman made headlines in the first Thunderbolts* trailer, he's stealing scenes in a new trailer for a movie that couldn't be more different. Utopia has released the first trailer for The Line, a movie detailing the life of university students who live without fear or consequences. The trailer shows Alex Wolff and Austin Abrams as your frat boys who just can't seem to stay out of trouble, but are somehow always bailed out by the leader of their house. The Line will make its world premiere in New York on October 18 before premiering worldwide the following week on October 25. Halle Bailey, Bo Mitchell, and the late Angus Cloud all star in The Line and make an appearance in the first trailer as well.

Zack Purdo, Alex Russek, and Ethan Berger wrote the script for The Line, with Berger stepping into the director's chair to helm the film. Russek and Purdo will both make their feature writing debut on the project, with Russek having worked on several shorts prior. Berger will also make his directorial debut on The Line, but he has experience working as a producer on several episodes of the LeBron James-led documentary series, More Than an Athlete, which explores LeBron's life on and off the court. Berger also worked as a music consultant on The Air I Breathe, the 2007 crime thriller starring Brendan Fraser, Kevin Bacon, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Clark Gregg, Emile Hirsch, Forest Whitaker, and Jon Bernthal.

What Else Have ‘The Line’ Stars Been in Lately?

Wolff is best known for his roles in Hereditary and Pig (Nicolas Cage), and he also played a small role in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer. Abrams plays Ethan Lewis in Euphoria and is also known for his roles as Ben in Paper Towns and Tommy Milner in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Pullman is best known for his role as Bob in Top Gun: Maverick, and he recently starred alongside Brie Larson in the Apple TV+ series, Lessons in Chemistry. John Malkovich, best known for his role in In the Line of Fire, and Scoot McNairy, who plays Joe Stafford in Argo, will both also star alongside Pullman and Wolff in The Line.

The Line premieres in theaters everywhere on October 25. Check out the first trailer for the film above and find tickets below for a showtime near you.

theline_mainposter_websized.jpg
The Line
Drama
Director
Ethan Berger
Cast
Alex Wolff , Lewis Pullman , Halle Bailey , Austin Abrams , Angus Cloud , Scoot McNairy , John Malkovich , Denise Richards
Runtime
100 Minutes
Writers
Ethan Berger , Alex Russek
FIND TICKETS
200 (Stargate SG-1) • Abby (TV series) • Abyssinia, Henry • Adventure Time • The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. • All Hell Breaks Loose (Supernatural) • All Souls (TV series) • The American Bible Challenge • Animaniacs • Aquaman (TV pilot) • Barge of the Dead • Melanie Barnett • The Beginning of the End (Lost) • The Bill (Inside No. 9) • Blue's Clues • Bluey (2018 TV series) • The Body (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) • The Boys from Baghdad High • Ed Bradley • Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Wrath of the Darkhul King • CBS Building • A Canterlot Wedding • Cape Feare • Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons • Carnivàle • Cartman Gets an Anal Probe • Chains of Love (TV series) • The Chase (American game show) • The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson • Cold Feet • Confirmed Dead • Richard Cordray • C. J. Cregg • Daisy (advertisement) • Damien (South Park) • Dark Angel (American TV series) • Deadalive • Death on the Rock • Deep Throat (The X-Files episode) • Did You Hear What Happened to Charlotte King? • Donald Trump (Last Week T