Blonde 2022

Movie · 166 min · English · September 8, 2022

Biographical drama Psychological drama Romantic drama

Directed by Andrew DominikWritten by Andrew Dominik

Starring Ana de Armas, Lily Fisher, Vanessa Lemonides, Adrien Brody, Bobby Cannavale

A 2022 American psychological drama film, Blonde was written and directed by Andrew Dominik, adapting the 2000 novel by Joyce Carol Oates. The story centers on the life of Marilyn Monroe, portrayed by Ana de Armas. Supporting roles are played by Adrien Brody, Bobby Cannavale, Xavier Samuel, and Julianne Nicholson.

Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Tracey Landon, Brad Pitt, and Scott Robertson handled production duties. Development started in 2010, with filming beginning in August 2019 in Los Angeles. The production concluded in July 2021 after disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic. Visually, the film uses shifting aspect ratios and alternates between color and black-and-white sequences.

Blonde made its debut at the 79th Venice International Film Festival on September 8, 2022, where it earned a 14-minute standing ovation. It opened in limited theaters across the US on September 16, followed by a streaming release on September 28 through Netflix. This marked the first NC-17-rated film to debut exclusively on a streaming platform. Critics offered mixed reactions; while de Armas’s acting was praised, the film’s portrayal of Monroe’s life was seen as exploitative, and the script received criticism.

Blonde garnered eight nominations at the 43rd Golden Raspberry Awards, winning Worst Picture and Worst Screenplay. Meanwhile, de Armas was nominated for an Academy Award, Actor Award, BAFTA Award, and Golden Globe Award, all in the Best Actress category.