Despite writer and director Neil LaBute attempting to cash in on an array of traditional film noir storylines and aesthetics with his semi-erotic thriller, the final results distinctly feel more like a storytelling exercise than a finished feature. The narrative observes an ex-convict named Connor, played by Ray Nicholson, making an effort to put his life back together but getting enmeshed in a whirlwind romance with a married woman named Marilyn (Diane Kruger).
Nicholson and Kruger reside at the movie's core, and they need to be, as the chemistry between them attempts to be the narrative's primary driving force. However, with each new scene transition provided a title card that announces the passage of time, almost everything about the production seem to be working to downplay any sense of momentum. Naturally, it's not helped that Kruger is playing a two-dimensional femme fatal counterbalanced by Nicholson's off-the-peg naivete. Out of the Blue is a transparent film lacking in so many departments.
After spending time in prison following an assault charge, Connor Bates now works in a library and spends his free time running, swimming, and trying to piece his world back together. When he meets Marilyn Chambers, the wife of a wealthy businessman, they collide into an intense physical and emotional relationship that quickly escalates into idle talk about her husband’s murder.
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Out of the Blue Release Date: When was the film released?
Out of the Blue was a Limited release in 2022 on Friday, August 26, 2022. There were 17 other movies released on the same date, including Samaritan, Breaking and The Invitation.
As a Limited release, Out of the Blue will only be shown in select movie theaters across major markets. Please check Fandango and Atom Tickets to see if the film is playing in your area.
Out of the Blue DVD & Blu-ray Release Date: When was the film released?
Now Available on DVD & Blu-ray
Buy DVD NowOut of the Blue was released on DVD & Blu-ray on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 .
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2006, Drama/Mystery & thriller, 1h 42m
25 Reviews 2,500+ RatingsWhat to know
A dramatization of real-life terror that's rendered all the more powerful through its sensitivity, Out of the Blue succeeds as a gripping drama as well as a moving commemoration. Read critic reviewscritics consensus
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Out of the Blue Photos
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Movie Info
A middle-aged loner becomes the perpetrator of New Zealand's largest mass murder when an argument between neighbors ends in a shooting. After killing his neighbor, David Gray (Matthew Sunderland) sets fire to the man's house with children inside, then shoots anyone else who wanders into range. Authorities are helpless to rescue the victims, and a long night begins as townspeople huddle in their homes as Gray rages on outside.
Genre:
Drama, Mystery & thriller
Original Language:
English (United Kingdom)
Director:
Robert Sarkies
Producer:
Timothy White, Steven O'Meagher
Writer:
Robert Sarkies, Graeme Tetley
Release Date (Theaters):
Oct 19, 2007 limited
Release Date (Streaming):
Jun 10, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA):
$728
Runtime:
1h 42m
Distributor:
IFC First Take
Cast & Crew
Karl Urban
Nick Harvey
Matthew Sunderland
David Gray
Lois Lawn
Helen
Simon Ferry
Garry Holden
Tandi Wright
Julie-Anne Bryson
Paul Glover
Paul Knox
William Kircher
Stu Guthrie
Georgia Fabish
Chiquita Holden
Fayth Rasmussen
Stacey Percy
Robert Sarkies
Director
Robert Sarkies
Writer
Graeme Tetley
Writer
Greig Fraser
Cinematographer
Annie Collins
Film Editing
Victoria Kelly
Original Music
Philip Ivey
Production Design
Ken Turner
Art Director
Lesley Burkes-Harding
Costume Design
Rachel Bullock
Casting
Timothy White
Producer
Steven O'Meagher
Producer
Critic Reviews for Out of the Blue
All Critics (25) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (21) | Rotten (4)
Full Review… Cath Clarke GuardianFull Review… David Fear Time OutFull Review… Tom Dawson BBC.comFull Review… Mark Dinning Empire MagazineFull Review… James Bramble Little White LiesFull Review… V.A. Musetto New York PostFull Review… Matthew Turner ViewLondonFull Review… Christopher Null Filmcritic.comFull Review… Steve Watson Film4Full Review… Rob Daniel Sky CinemaFull Review… Chris Barsanti Film Journal InternationalFull Review… Ken Fox TV GuideView All Critic Reviews (25)
Audience Reviews for Out of the Blue
Aug 01, 2009
This was a beautiful and disturbing film about a madman in New Zealand. Based on a true story.
Juli R Super Reviewer
May 28, 2009
I often sit back to watch a "BIG" film only to end up thinking "What's the point?". Take X-Men Origins: Wolverine for example, a prequel about an indestructible man. We know he lives, we know he can't really be hurt. Then I watch a film like Out of the Blue. All I knew was the title and that Karl Urban would be in it. The film builds up at a nice pace, showing people doing normal daily things. There's one "eccentric" that adds a nervous tone, and rightly so. To say more would be to spoil it. It is based on a true story, but one I hadn't heard of. The film was full of the kind of nail-biting tension and shocking moments that are absent from those big blockbusters. It's shot perfectly and punctuates the one hour set-piece with quick quiet moments. No emotional blackmail to speak of either, and the excitement comes from nerves and not an overbearing, blood pumping score.
Luke B Super Reviewer
Jul 29, 2008
One of the only movies to totally upset me.Based on the true story set in New Zealand about a lone gunman thats go's berserk killing 13 men,women and children in a rurul town in 1990.To make it unsettling is that it plays like a documantry and that the performances are so real that it makes you feel that your there.This is certanly no hollywood movie.There's no heros and no one man army to save the day just a real story with real people and a place in history that your won't forget easy after watching this movie.One stand out performance is from Karl Urban who prove more of a actor here than any of the hollywood movies he as been in lately.
Brian D Super Reviewer
Jul 23, 2008
Disturbing story of a lone gunman on a killing spree in New Zealand which is well handled but offers little by way of explanation for sn increasingly common phenomenon.
What is the movie out of the blue about 2022?
Connor Bates is a young man whose life has stalled out after his release from prison on an assault charge. He now works in a library and spends his free time running and swimming and trying to piece his world back together. One day he meets Marilyn Chambers, the wife of a wealthy businessman, and they begin an intense physical and emotional relationship that quickly escalates into idle talk about her husband's murder.Out of the Blue / Film synopsisnullIs Out of the Blue a good movie?
September 5, 2022 | Rating: 5/10 | Full Review… Out of the Blue neither sings nor stings. This is a sexy little movie with sharp dialogue and a smart if familiar story, and enough colorful supporting characters to keep things lively. It may not be breaking much new ground, but few noir films do.Where was out of the blue 2022 filmed?
Filming occurred in Newport, Rhode Island in September 2021.Is Out of the Blue Based on a true story?
Based on the true story of New Zealand's biggest-ever mass murder, in which lone guman David Gray killed 13 people in small seaside town Aramoana.