Controversial, upsetting, disturbing and memorable, there are few films this year that have gotten audiences talking like "Compliance" has. Based on a true story, the movie is an unwavering look at the power of authority to make people do unspeakable and humiliating things, and the film's bracing examination of those themes has been a major conversation starter. Earning buzz at Sundance, SXSW and BAMcinemaFEST, "Compliance" will hit theaters later this summer, and to get the ball rolling, we've got the exclusive poster for the film below.
Starring Ann Dowd, Dreama Walker and Pat Healy, the story centers on Becky, a teenaged counter girl at a fast food restaurant, and Sandra, the middle-aged manager. One stressful day, a police officer calls, accusing Becky of stealing money from a customer’s purse, which she vehemently denies. Sandra, overwhelmed by her managerial responsibilities, and not exactly friends with Becky, complies with the officer’s orders to detain her. This choice begins a nightmare that tragically blurs the lines between expedience and prudence, legality and reason.
At Sundance, we called the film "an almost endlessly fascinating study of human behavior, disturbingly unflattering as its conclusions may be" and as our recent conversation with director Craig Zobel emphasizes, there is a lot to discuss within this dramatic thriller.
See for yourself when "Compliance" hits theaters on August 17th via Magnolia Pictures.