It’s funny, just yesterday I was talking to my friend, lit manager extraordinaireLee Stobby, after checking out his impressiveLetterboxd account, and I asked him to name a recent indie film he loved that he thought I might like, because I really respect his taste. Lee told me to check outThe Killing of Two Lovers, and not 24 hours later, the first trailer hit my inbox along with news that the film has been acquired by NEON, which will release it in time for this year’s awards season.
Written and directed byRobert Machoian,The Killing of Two Loversis a powerful thriller that offers an honest and sometimes brutal portrayal of marriage. The story follows David, a man who desperately tries to keep his family of six together during a separation from his wife, Nikki. They both agree to see other people, but David struggles to grapple with his wife’s new relationship.
Clayne Crawfordstars alongsideThe DeucestarsSepideh MoafiandChris Coy, as well asAvery Pizzuto,Arri GrahamandEzra Graham. Coy impressed me with his supporting turn in last year’s dramaTrial by Fire, and Crawford has intrigued me ever since I saw him on24a decade ago. These days, he’s best known as the guy fromRectifywho got fired fromLethal Weapon, but he has a real intensity that burns up the screen – and this trailer. Crawford also produced the film with Machoian andScott Christopherson. I don’t know about you, but it reminds me a bit ofJeff Nichols’breakout filmShotgun Stories, which you should absolutely track down if you’ve never seen it. Crawford evenlookslikeMichael Shannonin the image above.
The Killing of Two Loversmade its world premiere earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival, where critics collectively raved about it, as evidenced by the quotes seen in the trailer. It’s clear that NEON really believes in this film, as the company is set to produce Machoian and Crawford’s next feature, details of which are currently being kept under wraps.
The film is a Back40 Pictures presentation of a 433 Pictures production, and Charades will be handling international sales beginning at AFM next week.Jeff DeutchmanandAyo Kepher-Maatnegotiated the deal for NEON with The Exchange on behalf of the filmmakers, who are represented byKristine Blumensaadtat KLVB.
NEON will releaseThe Killing of Two Loverson Jun 14, 2025, which under the Academy’s new rules,doesmake it eligible for 2020 Oscar consideration. Watch the trailer below, andclick hereto watch Collider’s Sundance interview with Crawford and the rest of theTwo Loversteam.
