Metrograph Pictures Buys Sundance Breakout ‘Good One’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Metrograph Pictures has acquired North American rights to “Good One,” one of the breakouts of the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The indie film had its world premiere in the U.S. Narrative Competition section. It’s the feature debut of writer and director India Donaldson, and stars newcomer Lily Collias, whose performance captivated critics, alongside James Le Gros (“Showing Up”) and Danny McCarthy (HBO’s “Somebody, Somewhere”).
This marks the first title acquired by Metrograph Pictures, which recently expanded into releasing films theatrically under the leadership of David Laub, a former A24 executive who now heads distribution for the new studio growing out of Metrograph’s New York theater. The film will receive a national theatrical release in summer 2024.
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“We are extremely proud to have the opportunity to release India Donaldson’s wonderful Sundance breakout as our first acquisition under David’s new leadership of Metrograph Pictures,” Christian Grass, CEO of Metrograph, said in a statement.
In the coming-of-age drama, 17-year-old Sam (Collias) embarks on a three-day backpacking trip in the Catskills with her dad, Chris (Le Gros), and his oldest friend, Matt (McCarthy). As the two men quickly settle into a gently quarrelsome brotherly dynamic, airing long-held grievances, Sam attempts to mediate their disputes. But when lines are crossed and Sam’s trust is betrayed, tensions reach a fever pitch.
“Good One” got rave reviews out of Sundance, with Variety‘s Guy Lodge hailing the “delicacy and care” with which Donaldson handled the story. He also echoed the praise for Collias’s “tautly wired performance.”
The film was produced by Diana Irvine, Graham Mason, India Donaldson and Wilson Cameron, with Sarah Winshall of Smudge Films and Neil Champagne, Veronica Diaferia and Sara Eolin of Tinygiant executive producing. Taylor Williams served as the casting director.
“I am incredibly thrilled to be partnering with Metrograph Pictures to get ‘Good One’ out into the world. I’ve discovered countless treasures through Metrograph’s programming, and David Laub has shepherded so many artists and films that have deeply shaped me as a filmmaker,” Donaldson said in a statement. “I am so proud to work with this remarkable team and couldn’t think of a better home for my first feature.”
Laub added: “India Donaldson has made a superb, delicate, and exquisite first feature, whose stunning emotional power stealthily sneaks up on you. This is exactly the type of project we want to support at Metrograph Pictures — a high-quality, intimate and beautifully evocative work with a deeply personal and original vision that has the ability to connect with a wide range of audiences. We’re excited and honored to be putting ‘Good One’ out into the world, harnessing our resources to create the best and most meaningful release possible.”
CAA Media Finance and Feig Finkel LLP negotiated the deal with Metrograph Pictures on behalf of the filmmakers.
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