The Changeover (film)

The Changeover
Theatrical release poster (U.S.)
Directed byMiranda Harcourt
Stuart McKenzie
Written byStuart McKenzie
Produced byEmma Slade
Richard Fletcher
Caroline Hutchison
John McKenzie
Starring
CinematographyAndrew Stroud
Edited byDan Kircher
Music byAndrew Thomas
Production
company
Firefly Films
Distributed byRadiant Films International
Release date
  • 28 September 2017 (2017-09-28) (New Zealand)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryNew Zealand
LanguageEnglish
Box office$112,749[1]

The Changeover is a 2017 New Zealand coming-of-age fantasy horror film. Directed by Miranda Harcourt and her husband, Stuart McKenzie,[2] it is based on the 1984 young adult novel of the same name by Margaret Mahy. Starring Timothy Spall, Melanie Lynskey, Lucy Lawless, Nicholas Galitzine and Erana James, it was released in New Zealand on 28 September 2017, followed by a limited theatrical run in the United States on 22 February 2019. The film received positive reviews from critics.[3]

Premise

Teenaged Laura (Erana James), a strong-willed schoolgirl with a rare psychic gift, finds herself drawn into a terrifying battle when her baby brother (Benji Purchase) falls under the curse of an ancient, human-devouring demon (Timothy Spall). With their distraught mother (Melanie Lynskey) looking on helplessly as her son's life is drained out of him bit by bit, Laura must learn to harness her mystical powers—with the help of enigmatic outsiders Sorenson (Nicholas Galitzine) and Miryam (Lucy Lawless)—in order to vanquish the malevolent force, save her sibling, and make peace with her true identity.

Cast

Production

The film was shot in Christchurch over a five-week period in the latter half of 2016.[2]

Release and reception

The Changeover was released theatrically in New Zealand on 28 September 2017, grossing $112,749 during its run.[1] It was generally well received by critics,[3] with Stuff's Sarah Watt commending its "suitably New Zealand" feel and the filmmakers' decision to shoot in the red zone of Christchurch.[4] Writing for RogerEbert.com, Matt Zoller Seitz called it "a perfect genre film", noting that "every role is perfectly cast", while also praising the writing, direction, and cinematography.[5] In a similarly warm appraisal, the Los Angeles Times described it as "an astute adaptation [of Mahy's novel], balancing magical arcana with everyday adolescent turmoil";[6] while Slant Magazine's Keith Watson felt that, despite some narrative flaws, it was a "lively and engaging excursion into an unusually naturalistic world of magic".[7]

References

  1. ^ a b "The Changeover (2017)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  2. ^ a b Croot, James (10 November 2016). "Christchurch 'looks amazing' in The Changeover footage, says Miranda Harcourt". Stuff. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b "The Changeover". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  4. ^ Watt, Sarah (30 September 2017). "The Changeover: Supernaturally set in a city we can relate to". Stuff. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  5. ^ Seitz, Matt Zoller (21 February 2019). "Reviews: The Changeover". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  6. ^ Murray, Noel (21 February 2019). "Review: 'The Changeover' brings YA fantasy magically to life". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  7. ^ Watson, Keith (17 February 2019). "Review: The Changeover Enjoyably Pinballs Between Disparate Fantasy Styles". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 21 June 2024.