After making an acting career from it, it should come as no surprise that Michael Shannon’s directorial debut deals with challenging material. Based on the play 2002 play of the same name, Eric LaRue looks at two parents in the aftermath of their son murdering his classmates. It examines the effect that the killings have, not just on the victims, but on their families and how they’re forever changed. It’s very difficult subject matter and is going to be a tough watch for many, but it features some absolutely breathtaking performances from its cast. You can check out my review HERE.

It was kind of surreal to be in a Zoom call with the likes of Judy Greer, Michael Shannon, and Alexander Skarsgård. These three actors have made up so many of my favorite TV shows and Movies over the years that it can be a bit overwhelming to talk to them all at once. Add in the very heavy material that we’d be discussing for Eric LaRue, and it had all the makings of disaster. Thankfully, they were all so charming, were able to discuss the darker side of the film, while still bringing plenty of levity to the chat. And I was very tickled to hear who Shannon’s main directing influence was. Find out in the video above!

ERIC LARUE plot: Michael Shannon directs an adaptation of Brett Neveu’s 2002 play about a mother coping with the fallout after her son murders three of his high school classmates. Janice (Judy Greer) is struggling; she moves through life as if in a haze, unable to let go of her anger and frustration. While her husband (Alexander Skarsgård) has found refuge at a new church, Janice finds it hard to seek solace in her faith despite her pastor’s pleas to heal her wounds by meeting with the mothers of her son’s victims. As Janice ponders what that meeting could achieve for her and her community, Eric LaRue asks audiences to witness the frayed emotional ripples that violent acts can engender.

ERIC LARUE IS PLAYING IN LIMITED THEATERS ON APRIL 4TH, 2O25.

The post Interview: Michael Shannon, Judy Greer and Alexander Skarsgård get into the emotions of their drama, Eric LaRue appeared first on JoBlo.

PLOT: It tells the story of Janice, the mother of a teenager who shot and killed three of his classmates.

REVIEW: Michael Shannon stepping behind the camera and making his directorial debut is exciting for those who love his acting career. Known for taking on bold characters and delivering even bolder performances, he takes that mantra into his directing work with some rather dark subject matter. Eric LaRue follows two parents in the aftermath of their son killing several of his classmates. And it’s an absolute performance powerhouse.

Judy Greer is absolutely masterful as Janice, a mother who is trying to pick up the pieces of her life. This really does a great job of shining a light on the people around someone who’s infamous. Because the effect is far-reaching, and almost acts like its own bomb within the community. This act completely reshapes these people, and some take a path all too common in tragedy. Alexander Skarsgård is fascinating as Janice’s husband, Ron. He completely loses himself in religion as he just doesn’t know how to cope with what his son did. He is weak-willed and very controlled by the women in his life, causing him to wander without his wife’s direction. It’s interesting how this manifests, and Skarsgård delivers in every facet.

Michael Shannon proves to be capable of evoking strong emotions as a director. The tone of the story is set right from the onset, with little glimpses into the full picture. He’s always been such a fantastic performer that he knows how to perfectly capture every layer of Greer’s performance. The camera stays on its characters, allowing us to take in even the smallest detail, and never rushing too quickly onto the next scene. The camerawork is never flashy and is always in service to the emotional throughline.

I was fascinated by the character of Stephanie Grazer, who seems completely incapable of understanding Janice’s struggle. Really does a great job of showing the complexities of the situation. Obviously, since we spend so much time with Janice, it’s easy to feel for her, but Stephanie lost her son in a tragic way. Blaming the parent of her son’s killer isn’t exactly surprising, but it’s hard not to yearn for some kind of forgiveness. Janice wasn’t responsible for what her son did. And it isn’t just the impact that her presence has on those who are actually justified in being uncomfortable around her, it’s even those who have no right being so cold towards her. Her floor manager is completely lacking in empathy, using his own discomfort with her as a twisted justification to keep her on leave.

I’ve never seen the original play on which Eric Larue is based. And it sounds like, from Shannon himself, that he took some liberties with moments and where to take the story. More characters have been added to further flesh out the world and enhance the impact of the narrative. Its stageplay roots mean a more in-depth character study. I won’t get into too much detail, but unfortunately, there’s one scene where Eric LaRue really lost me. What should have been a haunting moment instead feels like we’re being preached to in an unnatural way. It’s the one time the film just doesn’t feel truthful and is instead trying to hammer home a point that ultimately doesn’t connect.

Eric LaRue features very tough subject matter and, therefore, isn’t going to be for everybody. Shannon wants the viewer to really take in the performances, and, as such, it’s a bit on the slower side. We are able to take in every slight nuance with these people, and are able to experience it in a way that is both observational but still very personal. While I didn’t love the story overall, I couldn’t look away from either Greer or Skarsgård as they delivered the performances of their careers.

ERIC LARUE IS PLAYING IN THEATERS ON APRIL 4TH, 2025.

Eric Larue

GOOD

7

The post Eric LaRue Review: Michael Shannon’s directorial debut is a Performance Powerhouse appeared first on JoBlo.

Grief comes in many forms; sometimes, it can drive survivors apart instead of bringing them together. In Michael Shannon‘s directorial debut, Eric Larue, Judy Greer (Archer, Halloween, What Women Want), and Alexander Skarsgård (The Northman, The Legend of Tarzan, True Blood) experience firsthand the damage loss can inflict on two people struggling to survive an overwhelming tragedy. Today, Magnolia Pictures debuted a trailer and poster for Eric Larue, highlighting the cast’s sturring performances and Shannon’s talent behind the camera.

It was written by Brett Neveu and based on his 2002 play, which used the same name. Eric Larue follows two parents who, in the aftermath of a shocking crime at the hands of their son, seek solace in rival religious congregations. The film world premiered at the Tribeca Festival and also stars Alexander Skarsgård, Alison Pill, Tracy Letts, Paul Sparks, and Annie Parisse. Magnolia has North American rights and will release the film in theaters on April 4. Eric Larue also comes to digital platforms on April 11.

Here’s the full synopsis for Eric Larue courtesy of Magnolia Pictures:

“In Eric Larue, Janice (Greer) is coping with the fallout after her son murders three of his high school classmates. Struggling and moving through life as if in a haze, she is unable to let go of her anger and frustration. While her husband (Skarsgård) has found refuge at a new church, Janice finds it hard to seek solace in her faith despite her pastor’s pleas to heal her wounds by meeting with the mothers of her son’s victims. As Janice ponders what that meeting could achieve for her and her community, ERIC LARUE asks audiences to witness the frayed emotional ripples that violent acts can engender.”

“I can’t believe my unbelievable good fortune to have Magnolia, a company I have admired for many years, distributing my first feature as a director,” said Michael Shannon. “Eric LaRue is as meaningful to me as any work I’ve done as an actor, and my intention was to make a film that perhaps could offer healing of some sort around an issue that has confounded us as a country for quite a long time. That issue being gun violence in schools and the infinite ripple effect it has on our society.”

For his first time behind the camera of a major motion picture, Michael Shannon is tackling an extremely sensitive topic. Given its story’s horrific nature and relatability, I’ll be curious to hear how real-life victims and survivors receive the film.

What do you think about today’s Eric Larue trailer? Are you interested in seeing the film? Let us know in the comments section below.

The post Eric Larue: The trailer for Michael Shannon’s directorial debut starring Judy Greer and Alexander Skarsgård packs an emotional punch appeared first on JoBlo.