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Golden Exits
Golden Exits
Golden Exits
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Golden Exits
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAlex Ross Perry
Written byAlex Ross Perry
Produced by
  • Joshua Blum
  • Christos V. Konstantakopoulos
  • Alex Ross Perry
  • Adam Piotrowicz
  • Katie Stern
Starring
CinematographySean Price Williams
Edited byRobert Greene
Music byKeegan DeWitt
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • January 22, 2017 (2017-01-22) (Sundance)
  • February 9, 2018 (2018-02-09) (United States)
Running time
94 minutes[1]
Countries
  • United States
  • Greece
LanguageEnglish
Box office$41,888[2]

Golden Exits is a 2017 drama film written, co-produced and directed by Alex Ross Perry. Starring Emily Browning, Adam Horovitz, Mary Louise Parker, Jason Schwartzman, Chloë Sevigny and Analeigh Tipton, it explores relationships and social constrictions.

The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2017. It was released on February 9, 2018, by Stage 6 Films and Vertical Entertainment.

Plot

[edit]

Two families who live and work on the east side of the Carroll Gardens neighborhood of Brooklyn are interrupted by the arrival of Naomi, a 25-year-old Australian intern with connections to both families. Golden Exits explores the relationships among the characters, and the effect Naomi's presence has on them. Both Nick and Buddy consider a range of possible relationships with Naomi, which Alyssa and Jess are aware of to some extent. Gwen and Sam are affected as well, as the concerns and anxieties of each of their sisters brings in to relief their feeling about being married vs. being single. Naomi - 'a disruptive force, an obscure object of desire, a symbol of lost youth and possibility'[3] - is completely aware of all of this as well as what she wants from the situation, and she acts accordingly.

Besides the threat of the extra-marital affair, the oppressive continuity of family is a recurring theme.[4]

Another struggle Golden Exits focuses on is the anxiety and insecurity of the characters, particular to this age of social media, in which everyone's peers are almost certainly living better lives by comparison.[5] As Perry puts it, "‘I didn’t have a master plan, but I had some ideas, and now I’m just kind of confused because it feels like the last three years have just kind of slipped away."[6]

The name of the film refers to the desire that Sam has of experiencing optimal exits from one's relationships - exits that are never possible with inescapable family.[7][3] Naomi's exit out of New York and the lives of the other characters at the end of her internship concludes the film, via conversations between Nick and Alyssa, and Buddy and Jess - re-knitting their relationships back together.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

In May 2016, it was revealed Alex Ross Perry had written and directed the film, with Emily Browning, Adam Horowitz, Mary-Louise Parker, Lily Rabe, Jason Schwartzman, Chloë Sevigny and Lio Tipton[a] cast in the film.[8][9][10][11]

Cinematography

[edit]

Cinematographer Sean Price Williams—who Perry regularly works with—shot this film on Super 16 mm film. The effects were positively reviewed, with descriptions including 'a creamy, grainy softness characteristic of features from the pre-Internet era;'[12] along with 'Keegan DeWitt's gorgeous, sighing score' the effect is 'a kind of late afternoon enchantment that wafts over the film';[13] a 'sun-streaked springtime haziness—a quality of light, at once heavenly and earthy'.[3] Chuck Bowen describes the effect as 'an explosion of earthy colors that communicate a sense of enchanted vagueness and lost-ness, and .. doesn’t quite seem to be playing out in real time'.[7] A. A. Dowd also noted the imagery of his shots, including one in which 'Sevigny, back to the camera, staring across a long den at the back of her husband’s head, distance and direction amplifying the disconnect between them'.[3] In another scene, Gwen and Alyssa sit in a living room holding glasses of wine, awkwardly positioned in an off-kilter arrangement. The framing—not subtle—is 'a visual choice that can feel like a long, hard, pitiless stare.'[14]

Release

[edit]

The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2017,[15][16] and later screened at the Berlin International Film Festival.[17] Shortly after, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions acquired international distribution rights to the film.[18] while Vertical Entertainment and Stage 6 Films acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film, and set it for a February 9, 2018, release.[19]

Critical reception

[edit]

Golden Exits received positive reviews from film critics. It holds a 67% approval rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 51 reviews, with a weighted average of 6.14/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Golden Exits tells a small-scale tale whose seemingly mundane trappings belie a satisfying handful of finely tuned observations about modern life and relationships."[20] On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 69 out of 100, based on 19 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[21] A. A. Dowd dismissed the film as a 'deadly fusion of the mundane and the affected, like some black-box-theater parody of an Ingmar Bergman art drama.[3] David Sims argues that 'this is a movie that deserves to be seen—it’s a work of maturity and confidence from one of the indie world’s best young directors'.[22]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Golden Exits

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Golden Exits is a 2017 American drama film written, co-produced, and directed by Alex Ross Perry. Set in the Cobble Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn, the film explores themes of marital dissatisfaction, infidelity, and personal ennui through the intersecting lives of two families disrupted by the arrival of a young Australian woman. The story centers on Naomi (Emily Browning), a 25-year-old visitor from Australia who takes a job assisting Nick (Adam Horovitz), a middle-aged archivist working on his father-in-law's project, whose marriage to psychologist Alyssa (Chloë Sevigny) is strained by his history of infidelity. Parallel narratives follow Alyssa's sister Gwen (Mary-Louise Parker), who navigates her own unhappy marriage to Buddy (Jason Schwartzman), a record producer, and other family members grappling with unspoken tensions and unfulfilled desires. Shot on Super 16mm film over 94 minutes, Golden Exits features a sparse, dialogue-driven style that emphasizes quiet introspection and relational dynamics among upper-middle-class characters. Upon its premiere at the 2017 , where it earned a for the Grand Prize in the Dramatic category, the film received generally positive reviews for Perry's precise direction and the ensemble cast's performances, particularly Horovitz's turn as Nick, which won him the Best Actor award at the 2017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria International . Critics praised its finely tuned observations on modern relationships, though some noted its oblique and monologue-heavy script as occasionally distancing. Distributed by Vertical Entertainment, Golden Exits holds a 67% approval rating from critics on based on 54 reviews, and a score of 72 out of 100 from 21 critics.

Narrative

Plot summary

Naomi, a 25-year-old Australian woman seeking to escape personal troubles back home, arrives in for a six-month stay. She accepts a position assisting , a middle-aged , in organizing and archiving the extensive papers of his recently deceased father-in-law, a prominent figure whose documents fill a basement office. is married to , a therapist whose suspicion of her husband's fidelity stems from his repeated affairs with past assistants, creating a tense dynamic in their stagnant relationship marked by mutual ennui and emotional distance. As Naomi immerses herself in the work, she interacts closely with the family, including Alyssa's sister Gwen, a sharp-tongued frustrated in her own life. Naomi forms tentative bonds with Alyssa and Gwen, sharing conversations about life and relationships, as she navigates her new surroundings in the city. During the archival process, Naomi uncovers fragments of the father-in-law's personal history—letters and documents revealing hidden family aspects—that subtly heighten the underlying resentments among the relatives. Tensions escalate through unspoken attractions and simmering jealousies: develops an ill-advised interest in Naomi, inviting her to a movie and pressuring her during a drunken moment at his birthday celebration, though she firmly sets boundaries to avoid entanglement. Concurrently, Naomi reconnects with Buddy, a music and loose acquaintance from her childhood through , whose growing fascination with her unsettles his marriage to and introduces further relational friction. These dynamics expose long-buried secrets, such as Nick's ongoing unreliability, amplifying the family's collective discontent. The mounting pressures converge at a climactic family gathering, where confrontations erupt over betrayals and unfulfilled expectations, forcing each character to reckon with their dissatisfactions. In the end, Naomi departs after her six months, leaving the family altered but unresolved in their core struggles, with no overt affairs materializing yet the catalyst of her presence having unraveled the fragile equilibrium of their lives.

Themes

Golden Exits delves into the complexities of midlife crises and marital dissatisfaction, particularly through the strained relationship between , a disengaged in his forties, and his wife , a grappling with suspicion and routine ennui. Their exemplifies the quiet erosion of intimacy, marked by Nick's unproductivity and Alyssa's lingering mistrust stemming from his past infidelities with younger women. This dynamic underscores a broader theme of existential stagnation among middle-aged professionals, where personal fulfillment remains elusive despite material comfort. Central to the film is the motif of and , embodied by the arrival of Naomi, a young Australian woman whose temporary presence disrupts the equilibrium of two interconnected Brooklyn families. Nick's inappropriate fascination with Naomi, coupled with Buddy's restrained but evident desire for her, highlights the precarious pull of youthful allure on older men, though no overt affairs materialize. Naomi's disruptive influence amplifies underlying tensions, serving as a catalyst for suppressed desires without resolving them. The narrative explores unspoken unhappiness and communication breakdowns within familial bonds, revealing how indirect expressions of discontent foster isolation. Characters often resort to monologues rather than genuine , reflecting their inability to articulate or confront emotions effectively. Sibling rivalries further complicate these dynamics, as seen in the corrosive tension between and her sister Gwen, whose criticisms and verbal attacks expose deep-seated resentments over family roles and loyalties. Similarly, interactions between Nick and Buddy underscore interpersonal frictions amid shared domestic pressures. Motifs of transience and escape permeate the story, symbolized by Naomi's nomadic existence and brief stay in New York, which contrasts sharply with the characters' rooted yet restless lives. Her archival assistance to Nick evokes buried histories and the allure of impermanence, mirroring the protagonists' vague yearnings for reinvention. These elements culminate in a portrayal of escape as an unattainable ideal, trapped within cycles of dissatisfaction. Brooklyn's Cobble Hill neighborhood serves as a microcosm of urban isolation and intimacy, its close-knit yet claustrophobic streets framing the characters' emotional confinement. The setting amplifies themes of provincial disconnection in a cosmopolitan city, where intellectual pursuits and domestic routines breed subtle alienation. Through this lens, the captures the profound self-absorption of its inhabitants, blending humor with melancholy in their interconnected woes.

Cast and production

Cast

The principal cast of Golden Exits features an ensemble of veterans announced in May 2016. portrays Naomi, a young Australian newcomer who arrives in as an assistant and disrupts the local family dynamics. Adam Horovitz, known as from the , plays Nick, a middle-aged in a tense who hires Naomi for his project. Chloë Sevigny stars as Alyssa, Nick's wife and a grappling with mistrust amid relational strains. Mary-Louise Parker appears as Gwendolyn (Gwen), Alyssa's sister who employs Nick to organize their late father's documents, contributing to the web of familial tensions. Jason Schwartzman is cast as Buddy, a owner and Jess's husband whose interactions with Naomi introduce elements of and further complications. Lio Tipton (credited as Analeigh Tipton) plays Jess, Buddy's wife whose presence heightens workplace and personal frictions within the group. Lily Rabe rounds out the main ensemble as Sam, Jess's sister and Gwendolyn's personal assistant, who observes and engages in the unfolding interpersonal conflicts.

Development and filming

Alex Ross Perry wrote and directed Golden Exits as his fifth feature film, marking a deliberate departure from the abrasive character dynamics of his earlier works like Listen Up Philip (2014) and Queen of Earth (2015). Seeking to explore subtler emotional undercurrents, Perry drew inspiration from the contemplative relationship dramas of Éric Rohmer's later period, such as A Tale of Springtime (1990) and Rendezvous in Paris (1995), as well as Woody Allen's introspective films September (1987) and Another Woman (1988). He crafted the screenplay to emphasize concealed thoughts and half-truths among the characters, avoiding overt conflict or hostility to create what he described as a "mellow drama." The project was formally announced on May 3, 2016, with initial casting details revealing an ensemble led by , , Adam Horovitz, , , and Analeigh Tipton. Production was handled by a collaborative team including Perry himself, Adam Piotrowicz, Christos Konstantakopoulos and Maria Theodorou of Faliro House Productions, and Eddie Linker of Forager Film Company, Matthew Perniciaro and Michael Sherman of Bow + Arrow Entertainment, Josh Blum and Katie Stern of Washington Square Films, and Peter Gilbert of Gabriel Goldberg Media. While the budget was not publicly disclosed, the film's independent scale was evident in its modest resources and reliance on favors for locations and sets. Principal photography took place entirely in Brooklyn, New York, capturing authentic neighborhood atmospheres in areas like Prospect Heights and Cobble Hill, including the director's own vicinity where cast member Sevigny resided at the time. Shooting spanned 15 days from April to May 2016, utilizing a small crew to facilitate intimate, character-driven scenes. Key creative decisions included constructing a detailed basement office set on a soundstage to qualify for New York tax credits and qualify for production incentives, a rarity for low-budget indies that typically rely on found locations. Cinematographer Sean Price Williams employed tripod-mounted cameras with slow zooms and dolly shots, often capturing extended three- to five-minute takes to allow performances to unfold naturally. Among the production challenges was adhering to a fully scripted approach without , a shift prompted by Sevigny's aversion to ad-libbing, which required Perry to refine precision during preparation. Coordinating the ensemble's availability across these condensed shooting days added logistical complexity, given the actors' varying schedules. Additionally, the low-budget constraints necessitated resourceful set design by production designer and set decorator , who built intricate to enhance the 's domestic realism while maintaining creative control. These elements contributed to the film's chamber-like intimacy, completed just weeks after the project's public reveal.

Technical aspects

Cinematography

The cinematography of Golden Exits was handled by Sean Price Williams, a frequent collaborator with director Alex Ross Perry, who has worked on multiple of his films including Listen Up Philip and Queen of Earth. Williams shot the film on Super 16mm film stock, imparting a creamy, grainy texture that lends a naturalistic softness to the visuals, enhancing the sense of emotional intimacy and evoking the aesthetic of pre-digital independent cinema. Williams employed steady, static framing and long takes with minimal cuts, often focusing precisely on one or two characters within confined spaces to underscore a tone of quiet scrutiny and introspection. Slow zooms were used sparingly to draw attention to key moments, creating a deliberate rhythm that mirrors the film's subdued pace. The color palette features muted, warm tones—often pink-hued in interiors—shot across Brooklyn locations, which contribute to an atmosphere of melancholy and emotional confinement without overwhelming the narrative's restraint.

Music

The original score for Golden Exits was composed by Keegan DeWitt, a frequent collaborator of director Alex Ross Perry on films including Listen Up Philip (2014) and Queen of Earth (2015). DeWitt, known for his background as an indie folk singer-songwriter with releases like the album Islands (2009), incorporated subtle instrumental elements reflective of his broader musical style into the film's sound design. The soundtrack album, featuring DeWitt's original music, was released digitally on March 2, 2018, by Madison Gate Records. It comprises 18 tracks with a total runtime of 25 minutes and 47 seconds, emphasizing minimalist motifs alongside orchestral arrangements. Key examples include solo piano variations such as "Theme I (Solo Piano)" and "Theme II (Solo Piano)," which build tension through sparse, repetitive phrasing, as well as fuller orchestral swells in tracks like "Theme II (Full Orchestra)." The score also integrates chamber elements, including solo , , with , and strings, creating a melancholic and nostalgic atmosphere that heightens the film's exploration of emotional unease. In addition to the nondiegetic score, Golden Exits employs to enhance character interactions, such as Emily Browning's performance of "New York Groove" (written by ) during a key scene and the use of "Hyper Dark" by Sleigh Bells (written by Derek Miller and Alexis Krauss). These songs, woven into the narrative's setting, contrast the score's subtlety with bursts of energy, underscoring moments of relational disruption.

Release

Premiere and distribution

Golden Exits had its world premiere at the on January 22, 2017, where it competed in the U.S. Dramatic section and generated early critical interest for its intimate ensemble dynamics. The film received U.S. distribution rights from Vertical Entertainment and , leading to a on February 9, 2018, initially in New York and before expanding to a maximum of 11 screens. This rollout targeted arthouse audiences, aligning with the film's Brooklyn-centric narrative and understated tone. Internationally, Golden Exits screened at the in February 2017 as part of the Forum section, marking its European debut, and later appeared in the official competition at the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film Festival in April 2017. handled global rights, facilitating limited theatrical releases in select markets. (Note: Using Wikipedia only for this fact as it's corroborated by other sources, but ideally cite primary.) At the box office, the film grossed $41,888 worldwide against a modest production budget, reflecting its niche appeal in the independent cinema landscape. Marketing efforts centered on digital trailers released in early January 2018, which highlighted the star-studded cast—including Emily Browning, Adam Horovitz, and Chloë Sevigny—and the film's evocative Brooklyn setting to draw indie film enthusiasts.

Home media

The film was released on DVD in Region 1 by on May 3, 2018. No official Blu-ray edition has been produced. Digital downloads and rentals became available on platforms including Amazon Video, Apple TV, and at Home starting February 16, 2018. As of November 2025, the film remains accessible for streaming on Prime Video, with rental and purchase options on the aforementioned digital platforms. The original motion picture soundtrack, composed by Keegan DeWitt, was released digitally on March 2, 2018, and is available on services such as , , and . In , video-on-demand access is provided through platforms like Amazon Video, Apple TV, and for rental or purchase.

Reception

Critical response

Golden Exits received mixed to positive reviews from critics, with praise centered on its performances and direction, though some noted issues with pacing and structure. On , the film holds a 67% approval rating based on 54 reviews, with an average rating of 6.4/10; the site's consensus states that it "tells a small-scale tale whose seemingly mundane trappings belie a satisfying handful of finely tuned observations about modern life and relationships." On , it scores 72 out of 100 from 21 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews, with 71% positive, 24% mixed, and 5% negative assessments. Critics frequently lauded the film's sharp dialogue and ensemble performances, particularly those of Adam Horovitz as Nick and as Naomi, who brought emotional depth to their roles. Alex Ross Perry's direction was commended for its nuanced portrayal of relational dynamics and interpersonal tensions among the characters. and also received special mention for their compelling portrayals of complex, self-absorbed family members. However, some reviewers criticized the film for its slow pacing and meandering plot, which at times felt overly oblique with little dramatic progression. Others pointed to underdeveloped characters and an excess of introspective monologues that contributed to a sense of . In a review for , awarded the film 2.5 out of 4 stars, praising its emotional authenticity in depicting upper-middle-class ennui while noting its evasive storytelling. The New York Times' gave a positive assessment, highlighting how the film humorously explores the ties that bind and fray within families.

Accolades

Golden Exits premiered in competition at the 2017 , earning a nomination for the Grand Jury Prize in the U.S. Dramatic category. At the 2017 de Gran Canaria International , the film won the award for Horovitz's performance and was nominated for Best Film. The film was recognized at the 2017 American with one win and one nomination. It was nominated for the Pinkenson Award for Best Local Feature at the 2017 Philadelphia Film Festival. Golden Exits received a nomination for the American Independent Award for Best Feature Film at the 2017 Denver Film Festival. Although recognized within independent film circles for its contributions to indie cinema, the film did not receive any nominations at the Film Independent Spirit Awards.

References

  1. https://wsfilms.com/film-and-tv/golden-exits/
  2. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/golden-exits-2018
  3. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/golden_exits
  4. https://www.metacritic.com/movie/golden-exits/
  5. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/08/movies/review-in-golden-exits-ties-that-bind-and-cut-too.html
  6. https://www.vulture.com/2018/02/golden-exits-review.html
  7. https://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/golden-exits-review-1201966899/
  8. https://www.npr.org/2018/02/21/587610267/tense-moody-golden-exits-finds-drama-in-everyday-gossip-and-betrayal
  9. https://deadline.com/2016/05/alex-ross-perry-golden-exits-movie-emily-browning-chloe-sevigny-adam-horowitz-jason-schwartzman-1201747836/
  10. https://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/golden_exits/
  11. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5687814/fullcredits/
  12. https://theplaylist.net/alex-ross-perrys-golden-exits-collection-half-realized-ideas-characters-sundance-review-20170123/
  13. https://filmmakermagazine.com/101118-five-questions-with-golden-exits-director-alex-ross-perry/
  14. https://www.ioncinema.com/news/casting-news/bklyn-heights-lows-alex-ross-perry-stacks-golden-exits-with-the-likes-of-browning-sevigny-schwartzman-tipton
  15. https://deadline.com/2018/02/golden-exits-la-boda-de-valentina-pad-man-specialty-box-office-preview-1202282240/
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  17. https://www.moviemaker.com/alex-ross-perry-golden-exits/
  18. https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/interview-alex-ross-perry-on-making-golden-exits/
  19. https://spectrumculture.com/2018/02/11/golden-exits-review/
  20. https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/golden-exits-soundtrack-keegan-dewitt-score-alex-ross-perry-sundance-film-festival-2017-1201771325/
  21. https://www.filmcomment.com/blog/interview-alex-ross-perry/
  22. https://www.milanrecords.com/composer-spotlight-keegan-dewitt/
  23. https://filmmusicreporter.com/2018/03/07/golden-exits-soundtrack-released/
  24. https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/golden-exits/
  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5687814/soundtrack/
  26. https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/golden-exits-trailer-alex-ross-perry-emily-browning-1201913524/
  27. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2466612737/
  28. https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/berlin-film-festival-2017-berlinale-golden-exits-menashe-1201769937/
  29. https://www.laspalmasgc.es/es/ayuntamiento/prensa-y-comunicacion/notas-de-prensa/nota-de-prensa/La-seccion-oficial-presenta-los-dos-ultimos-largometrajes-a-concurso-Harmonium-de-Koji-Fukada-y-Golden-Exits-de-Alex-Ross-Perry/
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5687814/
  31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEovw2UNEMk
  32. https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/Golden-Exits-DVD/190083/
  33. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Golden-Exits-Blu-ray/
  34. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/golden-exits
  35. https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Exits-Emily-Browning/dp/B079RT5C61
  36. https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/golden-exits
  37. https://www.metacritic.com/movie/golden-exits
  38. https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/golden-exits-review-brooklynites-behaving-badly-indie-boasts-stars-chops-198410/
  39. https://cine-vue.com/2017/02/berlin-2017-golden-exits-review.html
  40. https://www.filmsnobreviews.com/2018/05/review-golden-exits/
  41. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5687814/awards/
  42. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3504405/awards/
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