Latest news with #AldenEhrenreich
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Pure, gnarly horror leaves viewers on edge for full two-hour ride
Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures/TNS Director: Zach Cregger Cast: Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong, Amy Madigan Rating: (R16) ★★★★ REVIEWED BY AMASIO JUTEL From his 2022 Detroit basement horror, Barbarian, Zach Cregger has levelled up in almost every way in Weapons (Rialto, Reading) — his sprawling, chaptered study of suburban small-town Pennsylvania. Somewhat thematically foggy, Weapons is a densely layered masterclass in script writing and cinematic horror technique. On Wednesday, at 2.17am, 17 children from Justine Gandy's third-grade class walked out of their homes, never to be seen again. All but one. Only Alex Lily remains. Justine (Julia Garner), the schoolteacher, is the focal point of anger for parents — the only person who can be directly tied to each of the missing children. Her witch-hunt is led by Archer (Josh Brolin), a crusading parent frustrated by the apparent failings of the police, who is investigating the home security camera footage from other bereft houses. Meanwhile, police officer Paul's (Alden Ehrenreich) brutal assault of James (Austin Abrams), a local homeless man seeking the $50,000 cash reward for information, is caught on his car's dashcam, and Marcus (Benedict Wong), the school principal, probes a Child Protective Services tip-off regarding Alex (Cary Christopher), the final puzzle piece, whose story synthesises Cregger's expertly crafted traumatic tale. This Paul Thomas Anderson-style sprawling character study takes inspiration from Magnolia. Alden Ehrenreich's hairline, moustache, and authoritarian hubris are a nod to John C. Reilly's Magnolia police officer Jim Curring, while Garner and Abrams split the Melora Walters character from that film into love interest and drug addict. Prisoners and Rosemary's Baby are other potential comparisons. Some have criticised Weapons for not delivering a clear theme or message — that Barbarian maintains its prescient social commentary, and Weapons struggles to communicate a point. I disagree. Cregger has undoubtedly infused Weapons with a takedown of the police, with nods to suburban paranoia in a parable analogous to school shootings. The rageful, mob mentality witch-hunt, aimlessly directed, looking to place blame to rationalise inexplicable, sickening acts of violence that unsettle suburban, small-town safety. In a dream sequence, Archer sees a giant assault rifle floating above a house — an image of Lynchian origin (literally), pulled from Cregger's subconscious to evoke an idea; a powerful image without deliberate meaning. Where Weapons truly succeeds is in its execution of its pure, gnarly horror. Dark cinematography heightens the scares, leaving viewers on edge for the full two-hour ride. Its ballistic and violent ending is surprisingly emotionally moving, and the striking image of Naruto running children's silhouettes is immediately gripping. Weapons leaves me excited for what is to come of haunted houses and basements in Cregger's upcoming Resident Evil project.
Geek Tyrant
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
IRONHEART Star Alden Ehrenreich Talks Surprise Role and the Character's Future in the MCU — GeekTyrant
The first few episodes of Ironheart pulled back the curtain on a legacy character with deep roots in the MCU. That surprise comes in the form of Alden Ehrenreich, who starts off playing a seemingly regular guy named Joe McGillicuddy, only to be revealed as Ezekiel Stane, the son of Jeff Bridges' Obadiah Stane from Iron Man . It's a interesting connection to the film that kicked off the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Ehrenreich is clearly aware of the significance. Speaking to ScreenRant, he opened up for the first time about stepping into a role so closely tied to the franchise's origin: "Well, it's nice to be a part of something that relates back to the whole legacy of the story, especially because that character was in the first real Marvel movie that started all of this." He also shared a fun connection between his casting and another MCU icon. "And I had just worked with Robert Downey Jr. [on Oppenheimer] when I got this part, and so I got to talk to him about it and that was nice. I just FaceTimed with him, and I was like, 'So this has come my way, and this is the role — what do you think?' And he was like, 'Yeah, do it.'" As for why Ezekiel Stane was chosen for Ironheart , head writer Chinaka Hodge told TV Line it was about mining the MCU's overlooked corners: "It's a gem of a 'hanging chad' in the Obadiah Stane story. One of the best things about the MCU is how things connect, but I think so many of the throws have been forward or to other MCUs or alternate universes, and it's so much fun to reach back." Hodge also hinted that Ezekiel's journey may only be beginning: "Alden's so great in the role and the character is so much fun. I expect, as a fan, it will live a long time." That said, it's unclear where exactly Ezekiel will pop up next. With Armor Wars no longer on the immediate horizon, Ezekiel's future in the MCU might be a waiting game. But if Ehrenreich's take on the character resonates with fans, don't be surprised if Marvel finds a way to bring him back. The first three episodes of Ironheart are now streaming on Disney+.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ironheart: Alden Ehrenreich Opens Up About Playing MCU Villain's Son
The third episode of Disney+'s Ironheart featured a somewhat major reveal surrounding Alden Ehrenreich's character, which he recently opened up about. In the third episode of Ironheart, Ehrenreich's character 'Joe McGillicuddy' is revealed to be Ezekiel Stane, the son of Obadiah Stane, who Jeff Bridges played in 2008's Iron Man. The reveal ties the show back to the original film, and leaves more mystery to unravel over the final three episodes. Speaking to ScreenRant, Ehrenreich revealed what it was like seeing the reveal, and what it means to be a character who ties back to the beginning of the MCU. Sign-up today for access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ Learn More Sign-ups support Superhero Hypevia affiliate commission 'Well, it's nice to be a part of something that relates back to the whole legacy of the story, especially because that character was in the first real Marvel movie that started all of this,' said Ehrenreich. 'And I had just worked with Robert Downey Jr. when I got this part, and so I got to talk to him about it and that was nice.' The actor also opened up about what it was like speaking to Robert Downey Jr. Although their conversation was short, Ehrenreich said he asked the legendary star about whether or not he should take on the role. 'I just FaceTimed with him, and I was like, 'So this has come my way, and this is the role — what do you think?' And he was like, 'Yeah, do it.'' Ironheart is currently streaming on Disney+. (Source: ScreenRant)
Gizmodo
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
‘Ironheart' Has a Phase One MCU Link We Didn't See Coming
If we said Ironheart, the new Marvel Studios show about a genius who builds a special suit allowing her to fly around, linked to the original 2008 film Iron Man, you'd say 'No duh.' The entire idea and premise of the show are intrinsically linked to that character and film. But if we told you the connection went beyond that, and linked to a supporting character in that film played by an Oscar winner, you'd probably be like 'Tell me more.' So we will. Ironheart debuted its first three episodes on Disney+ this week, and we think it's awesome. It's a really fun, slick show about a flawed lead character trying to find herself in this wild Marvel Cinematic Universe. So, before we just go ahead and spoil this fun reveal, we'd urge you to give the show a shot. You'll be happy you you know, just keep reading here. That's fine too. In the first few episodes of Ironheart, Riri Williams is in need of some specific pieces of tech. She finds them thanks to a black market buyer who calls himself Joe McGillicuddy, played by none other than young Han Solo himself, Alden Ehrenreich. Joe is lying about a lot of things, clearly, but soon we realize it's way beyond just lying. It turns out, Joe's real name is Ezekiel Stane and he's the son of Obadiah Stane, former head of Stark Industries who became the Iron Monger and died at the end of the original Iron Man. He was played by Jeff Bridges. What we learn in Ironheart is that Tony Stark covered up Stane's villainous turn, letting him have a heroic legacy. However, Ezekiel knows the truth and is constantly haunted by it. He's worried he'll be corrupted by power like his father and, well, only three episodes of Ironheart are out so we'll stop there. Some fans are sure to be annoyed at this seemingly out of the blue connection back to Iron Man but we think it fits into the DNA of this show. Riri is always thinking about Stark, his legacy, accomplishments, and more. And, with Joe/Ezekiel, she finds someone who shares a lot of those concerns. What's next for the son of Jeff Bridges? Will there (inevitably) be more wild MCU connections? We'll find out next week when the final three episodes of Ironheart come to Disney+. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Forbes
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Marvel's ‘Ironheart' Is Not Good So Far
Ironheart In what perhaps is Marvel's lowest-profile release to date in the MCU, the first three episodes of Ironheart were released last night, with the final three arriving next week. Now, after watching half the series, all I can give it is a shrug, at best. Ironheart follows Riri Williams, a young genius trying to follow in Tony Stark's suit-crafting footsteps, first introduced to us in a somewhat out-of-place supporting role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Now, we've practically memory-wiped that appearance to start over, and these first three episodes have been strange, to say the least, and not terribly interesting. I will say upfront I am very impressed with star Dominique Thorne, and while I didn't think she made a huge impression in Wakanda Forever, is much more impactful here and a charismatic lead. She also has great chemistry with co-star Alden Ehrenreich, who I am surprised to see here in a small supporting role in a minor MCU show after a hugely high-profile turn in Oppenheimer and leading an entire Star Wars movie. But he does a good job. The storyline here is all over the place. Riri's entire motivation appears to be simply getting money for a suit for the purpose of…building a suit. At the beginning she briefly mumbles something about using it to help first responders, seemingly because her stepfather and best friend were gunned down (the flashbacks appear to all imply they were dead at the scene anyway). But from there the goal just seems to be…she really wants a cool suit. Now, she's doing criminal jobs for cash to upgrade her suit (because for some reason a genius cannot make money any other way), and it's a suit which is infinitely worse than the one we already saw her make in Wakanda Forever, as it does almost nothing but fly and scan things. Three episodes in and there are barely any action scenes in this show. There are two fights, both involving nameless security guards and none involving Riri and her suit. How are you making an Iron Man-styled show with no suit fights and a suit that doesn't even have weapons in the first place? Ironheart The criminal team Riri joins is hilarious in the context of the series. There's a hacker, an explosives girl, a guy who uses knives, two siblings who just…do karate and then a girl in a massive mech suit. It's very silly. The foil in the series is gang leader The Hood, who is dressed like a stage magician in one of the worst MCU fits I've ever seen. The Hood has apparently made some sort of deal with the devil to have the cloak that allows him to be invisible and manipulate bullets, albeit I did find it hilarious the 'bullet powers' shown with wobbling rounds could have just been…normal bullet shots to the same effect. With a side plot that has Riri accidentally making her dead best friend an AI, there's supposed to be some sort of message about grief in here, I think, but Riri's motivations of 'get money, make suit' are not compelling, and it's all steps backward from her first appearance. Critics seem to say that the next three episodes improve on these first three, but I'm not impressed despite a solid performance from Thorne and a decently cool non-nanotech suit. But that's it, and I'm not sure what can happen to make this all that compelling from here. Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram. Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
