Some movies are destined to go off with a bang. The official trailer for Bombshell dropped this week, and it's already making a serious impact.
Starring Margot Robbie, Nicole Kidman and Charlize Theron (that's some holy trinity) the movie tells the true story of the Fox News harassment scandal, which led to the downfall of CEO Roger Ailes, who was ousted by the US TV network in 2016 following a string of sexual harassment complaints.
The actresses play real-life women Gretchen Carlson (Kidman) and Megyn Kelly (Theron), both of whom brought sexual harassment complaints against Ailes, while Robbie plays fictionalised character, aspiring young staffer Kayla Pospisil.
The gripping trailer, filled with tension-filled glances, opens with Kayla having her induction at the bustling Fox News HQ.
"I could cut you out and move you to the front of the line," Ailes (John Lithgow) tells Kayla ominously. "But I need to know that you're loyal. I need you to find a way to prove it."
Meanwhile, Fox news anchor Gretchen Carlson (Kidman) is busy building her case for sexual harassment. At Fox News, women are referred to by senior management as 'skirts', and viewed as 'man-haters' if they don't 'learn to get along with the boys'.
"Someone has to speak up. Someone has to get mad," says Gretchen.
"Will other women come forward?" asks Gretchen's female lawyer, with a meaningful look. It's the crucial question.
Come forward they do, and the result is a major expose of toxic masculinity in media culture. The movie even retells the moment when then-presidential candidate Donald Trump took issue with Megyn Kelly's (Theron) questioning of his treatment of women at a 2015 Republican primary debate, saying, "There was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever."
Directed by Jay Roach, known for his work on comedy blockbuster Meet The Parents as well as HBO's Change and Recount, Bombshell promises stellar performances from its multi-award winning cast.
Twitter is already going crazy with praise for the film, with Oscar buzz brewing after the film's first screening.
Variety Senior Film Writer Matt Donnelly was bold over by the central performances, singling out Charlize as the true star. "Good lord #Bombshell is fantastic - juicy, heartbreaking, funny and infuriating. It's Charlize's show, but Kidman, Robbie and Kate McKinnon all perfect."
Meanwhile, Kara Warner at People Magazine championed the film as being "intense", "empowering" and "appropriately uncomfortable" in its delivery of tough subject matter - "intense".
Due to hit UK cinemas 24 January 2020, we expect the response to Bombshell to be as explosive as its subject matter.
Featured Image Credit: Bombshell LionsgateTopics: TV and Film, Nicole Kidman, TV Entertainment, Margot RObbie
