Annual Top Films Lists

Top 200 Most Anticipated Films for 2014: #124. Daniel Espinosa’s Child 44

Published on February 13, 2014

Child 44

Director: Daniel Espinosa
Writers: Richard Price
Producer: Summit Entertainment, Worldview Entertainment, Etalon Film, Scott Free Productions, Stillking Films
U.S. Distributor: Summit Ent/Lionsgate
Cast: Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, Gary Oldman, Joel Kinnaman, Vincent Cassel, Jason Clarke, Paddy Considine

Based on the first novel from a popular trilogy, this sounds like a melding of John Le Carre and Stieg Larsson (of course, mainplayers Rapace and Oldman might be responsible for that ambiance as well). Helmed by Swedish director Daniel Espinosa, who received wide acclaim with his 2010 film, Easy Money, we’re hoping this gets more traction than his 2012 English language debut, Safe House. A killer (and very masculine) cast should make this one to watch for, though screenwriter Richard Price can be a bit iffy. He’s been working television since his last feature screenplay, which was 2006’s Freedomland…but we’re hoping this is the same caliber as his credits for Clockers and Sea of Love.

Gist: Set in Stalin-era Soviet Union, a disgraced MGB agent is dispatched to investigate a series of child murders — a case that begins to connect with the very top of party leadership.

Release Date: We’re thinking a direct theatrical release, though a premiere slot in Toronto or Venice wouldn’t be surprising.

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Nicholas Bell

Los Angeles based Nicholas Bell is IONCINEMA.com's Chief Film Critic and covers film festivals such as Sundance, Berlin, Cannes and TIFF. He is part of the critic groups on Rotten Tomatoes, The Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA), the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS) and GALECA. His top 3 for 2021: France (Bruno Dumont), Passing (Rebecca Hall) and Nightmare Alley (Guillermo Del Toro). He was a jury member at the 2019 Cleveland International Film Festival.