Shia LaBeoufreturns to the big screen in what could be an awards-season favorite with the gripping thrillerMan Down, arriving in theaters December 2 from Lionsgate Premiere. The studio has released the first trailer, poster and a new photo forMan Down, which will go up against Relativity’s thrillerKidnapand High Top Releasing’s horror filmIncarnate. It remains to be seen how wide a releaseMan Downwill have when it opens, or if it will expand throughout the holiday season.
When U.S. Marine Gabriel Drummer (Shia LaBeouf) returns home from his tour in Afghanistan, he finds that the place he once called home is no better than the battlefields he fought on overseas. Accompanied by his best friend Devin Roberts (Jai Courtney), a hardnosed Marine whose natural instinct is to shoot first and ask questions later, he searches desperately for the whereabouts of his estranged son, Johnathan (Charlie Shotwell), and wife, Natalie (Kate Mara). In their search, the two intercept Charles (Clifton Collins Jr.), a man carrying vital information about the whereabouts of Gabriel’s family.
As we revisit the past, we are guided in unraveling the puzzle of Gabriel’s experience and what will eventually lead us to finding his family. The psychological suspense thrillerMan Downalso starsGary Oldman,Jose Pablo Cantillo,Christopher BerryandTory Kittles.Shia LaBeoufhas been winning rave reviews for his performance since the film made its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival and its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last fall.
Shia LaBeoufrevealed in an interview last year that the process of playing Gabriel Drummer was “therapeutic” for him, since directorDito Montieloffered him the role at a very low point in his life. Production took place in New Orleans on theLionsgatethriller back in late 2014, withDito Montieldirecting from a script byAdam G. Simon. The writer had previously writtenSynapsestarringHenry Simmonsand an upcoming filmThe Pawn, which will markMan DownstarClifton Collins Jr.’s directorial debut.
It remains to be seen whether or notMan Downwill actually emerge as anawards seasonfavorite, but it would certainly mark quite the comeback forShia LaBeouf, who was making more headlines for his antics off the set a few years ago. The actor has put together a number of interesting cultural experiments over the years that fans could follow online, such as a recent experiment where he hitchhiked across the country for a month. Take a look at the first trailer, photo and poster forMan Downbelow.
