Hubbry Logo
KrishaKrishaMain
Open search
Krisha
Community hub
Krisha
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Krisha
Krisha
Krisha
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Krisha
Theatrical release poster
Directed byTrey Edward Shults
Written byTrey Edward Shults
Based onKrisha
by Trey Edward Shults
Produced by
  • Justin R. Chan
  • Chase Joliet
  • Trey Edward Shults
  • Wilson Smith
Starring
CinematographyDrew Daniels
Edited byTrey Edward Shults
Music byBrian McOmber
Distributed byA24
Release dates
  • March 16, 2015 (2015-03-16) (SXSW)
  • March 18, 2016 (2016-03-18) (United States)
Running time
81 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$30,000[1]
Box office$144,822[2]

Krisha is a 2015 American psychological drama film written, directed and edited by Trey Edward Shults in his feature-length directorial debut, starring his real-life aunt Krisha Fairchild, and is the feature-length adaption of the 2014 short film Krisha also directed by Shults.

It received the Grand Jury Award and Audience Award in the narrative feature competition at the 2015 South by Southwest Film Festival.[3] It was selected to compete in the Critics' Week section at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.[4] The film was released in a limited release on March 18, 2016, by A24.[5]

Plot

[edit]

Krisha, a troubled woman in her sixties with a history of addiction, has been estranged from her family for many years; her son, Trey, was raised by her sister, Robyn, for large parts of his life. Krisha has recently told her relatives that she is now reformed and sober, and that she wants to visit on Thanksgiving Day and cook dinner for the whole extended family. All that is implied: the movie starts with Krisha arriving at her sister's large house, where many family members are gathered, and greets them all warmly.

Krisha attempts to reconcile with Trey, expressing a desire to be part of his life again. He is cold and defensive, refusing even to look at her; as she attempts to coax a reaction out of him, he resists and leaves.

As the day progresses, it becomes clear that the family has clashing opinions of Krisha. While some, like Robyn, believe Krisha has turned her life around, others, including her brother-in-law, Doyle, remain skeptical and deride her assurances that she is sober. On Thanksgiving morning, Krisha's elderly mother arrives and is introduced to the newer members of the family. Although she is forgetful, she remembers each of the family members by name; upon being greeted by Krisha, however, she becomes confused and seems unable to remember her clearly. Krisha is visibly upset by this.

As the day progresses and she sees her son's closeness to her sister's family, Krisha starts to secretly return to her bathroom to abuse alcohol, prescription drugs, and illegal drugs in an attempt to cope. When it is time to remove the roasted turkey from the oven, she is drunk and out-of-control. She spills the roasting tray and the perfectly roasted turkey lands heavily on the kitchen floor. Most of the family is horrified and tries to help Krisha up from the floor and salvage the meal. Doyle only looks on and laughs.

Krisha sobers up, watching home videos Robyn has of Trey as a child. Waking from a stupor, she rings her boyfriend and leaves him a furious voicemail, telling him that she relied on him for support and that he abandoned her when she needed him. She then goes downstairs to find the rest of the family enjoying a toned-down version of Thanksgiving dinner without her. Robyn refuses to allow her to join the table and takes her out of the room. Robyn laments the fact that Krisha lied about her sobriety, telling Krisha that she defended her when other members of the family didn't want to invite her at all. Later, after looking through Trey's room and finding a bottle of vodka, a distraught and increasingly unhinged Krisha interrupts dinner once again, demanding that Trey tell her he loves her. When Robyn asks her to leave and Trey disowns her, the argument escalates and becomes violent, with Krisha breaking silverware and attacking Robyn as she is removed from the house. The film ends with an abrupt shot of Krisha looking into the camera, trying and failing to hold back tears.

Cast

[edit]
  • Krisha Fairchild as Krisha
  • Robyn Fairchild as Robyn
  • Chris Doubek as Dr. Becker
  • Billie Fairchild as Grandma
  • Bill Wise as Doyle
  • Trey Edward Shults as Trey
  • Olivia Grace Applegate as Briana
  • Bryan Casserly as Logan
  • Victoria Fairchild as Vicky
  • Atheena Frizzell as Atheena
  • Augustine Frizzell as Augustine
  • Chase Joliet as Chase
  • Rose Nelson as Rose

Production

[edit]
Bill Wise, Krisha Fairchild and Trey Edward Shults

The film is based on a short film of the same name which also starred Fairchild in the titular role of Krisha.[6] Many of the film's cast are relatives of Shults, including Krisha Fairchild who is Shults' aunt, his mother and grandmother, and other actors being friends of Shults.[7] Bill Wise and Chris Doubek were the only non-relatives or friends cast in the film.[8] A Kickstarter.com campaign was created to fund the film. A $10,000 goal was set, which ended on July 20, 2014, with a total of $14,260 from 64 backers.[9]

Principal photography began on August 2, 2014, and concluded on August 10, 2014.[10][11] The film was shot over the course of nine days, and was filmed at Shults' parents' house.[12]

Release

[edit]

The film had its world premiere on March 16, 2015 at South by Southwest.[13] The film had its international premiere and went onto screen at the Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2015.[14] Shortly after, A24 acquired U.S distribution rights to the film.[15] The film also went onto screen at the London Film Festival on October 14, 2015.[16] and the AFI Fest on November 7, 2015.[17] The film was released in a limited release on March 18, 2016.[18] It also received a U.S. Blu-Ray release on A24's website.

Reception

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 95% based on 79 reviews, with an average rating of 8.3/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Raw, bracingly honest, and refreshingly unconventional, Krisha wrings fresh -- and occasionally uncomfortable -- truths from a seemingly familiar premise."[19] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 86 out of 100, based on 31 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[20]

Justin Chang of Variety gave the film a positive review, considering "its stylistic experimentation anchored by a subtly wounding performance from Krisha Fairchild in the eponymous lead role. More festival berths await, and while commercial prospects look decidedly modest, critical support should spur select arthouse bookings and discerning-viewer interest ahead of VOD play."[21] Sherri Linden of The Hollywood Reporter gave the film a positive review writing: "The story will eventually draw the viewer outside Krisha’s perspective, but the beauty of the film is that its compassion deepens along with its very real sense of horror — compassion not just for Krisha but for those who still love her or have given up on trying".[22]

Accolades

[edit]

List of awards and nominations
Award / Film festival Category Recipient(s) Result Ref(s)
Austin Film Critics Association Best First Film Krisha Nominated [23][24]
Cannes Film Festival The Nespresso Grand Prize Krisha Nominated [25]
Caméra d'Or Trey Edward Shults Nominated
Deauville Film Festival Grand Prix Krisha Nominated
Prix de la Critique Krisha Won [26]
Detroit Film Critics Society Best Breakthrough Trey Edward Shults Nominated [27]
Gotham Awards Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award Trey Edward Shults Won [28]
Houston Film Critics Society Texas Independent Film Award Krisha Nominated
Independent Spirit Awards John Cassavetes Award Trey Edward Shults, Justin R. Chan, Chase Joliet, and Wilson Smith Won [29]
Los Angeles Film Critics Association New Generation Award Trey Edward Shults and Krisha Fairchild Won [30]
National Board of Review Top Ten Independent Films Krisha Won [31]
Best Directorial Debut Trey Edward Shults Won
New York Film Critics Circle Best First Film Trey Edward Shults Won[a] [32]
Reykjavík International Film Festival FIPRESCI Prize Trey Edward Shults Won [33]
South by Southwest Grand Jury Prize - Narrative Feature Trey Edward Shults Won [34][35]
Audience Award - Narrative Feature Trey Edward Shults Won

References

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

Krisha

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Krisha is a American film written, directed, and edited by in his feature-length directorial debut. The story centers on a middle-aged named Krisha who attempts to reconcile with her estranged family during a single, chaotic gathering after a decade of absence, as buried resentments and her struggles with surface. Filmed in a single home over the course of one day, the movie features a largely non-professional cast drawn from Shults's own family, including lead actress Krisha Fairchild as the titular character, alongside Robyn Fairchild, Victoria Fairchild, and others portraying relatives. Produced on a modest budget by Shults's company Hoody Boy Productions and distributed by , Krisha premiered at the Film Festival on March 16, 2015, before receiving a in the United States on March 18, 2016. The film earned widespread critical acclaim for its raw emotional intensity and innovative single-take sequences, achieving a 95% approval rating on based on 79 reviews. It garnered several debut honors, including the Award at the 2016 Film Independent Spirit Awards, the Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award at the 2016 , and Best Directorial Debut from the and Best First Film (tied with ) from the in 2016.

Narrative elements

Plot

Krisha, a recovering alcoholic in her sixties, arrives unannounced at the suburban home of her sister , where her estranged adult son, Trey, is present, on the morning of , after ten years of absence due to her past and abandonment of her . Eager to reconnect and demonstrate her sobriety, she is tentatively welcomed by her sister , Robyn's husband , and an extended multi-generational including cousins, in-laws, children, and Krisha's elderly mother, though the atmosphere is laced with wariness and unspoken resentment from her previous unreliability. Sporting a bandaged finger from a recent injury and dressed in a flowing , Krisha exudes initial optimism, hugging family members and expressing her desire to contribute meaningfully to the holiday. Determined to prove her stability, Krisha volunteers to prepare the entire turkey, taking sole responsibility in the bustling open-plan while the family scatters to other activities—watching football, wrestling playfully, or tending to a newborn. As she seasons and stuffs the bird, subtle interactions reveal fragments of her troubled history: mutters about her unreliability, and flashbacks or overheard conversations hint at how her led her to leave Trey as a teenager, forcing to raise him. Trey, now a reserved young man, avoids her overtures, maintaining physical and emotional distance that underscores the deep scars of abandonment. Krisha's enthusiasm wanes under the mounting pressure of judgmental glances and the chaotic energy of the house, where dogs bark and children run, amplifying her isolation despite the crowded space. Tensions simmer as Krisha, overwhelmed by anxiety and a craving for , secretly retrieves a bottle of hidden in the house and begins drinking from a disguised , marking her and shifting her demeanor from hopeful to increasingly erratic and desperate. She stumbles through small talk with relatives, her slurred speech and unsteady movements drawing whispers and irritation, particularly from Trey, who confronts her privately about her broken promises and the pain of her absence. The kitchen erupts in chaos when the unattended turkey begins to burn in the oven, filling the kitchen with smoke and shouts, a turning point that exposes her faltering control. During the strained , Krisha attempts a heartfelt with Trey, to be part of his life again, but he rebuffs her harshly, declaring her a "leaver" and refusing , which shatters her fragile composure. The argument escalates into a violent confrontation with , who demands Krisha leave; in a fit of rage, Krisha smashes plates and physically lashes out at her sister before Trey intervenes and disowns her outright. Overcome by rejection and the weight of her , Krisha retreats upstairs to the , locking herself in isolation as the resumes below without her, the sounds of laughter and clinking silverware echoing her profound alienation.

Themes and analysis

The film Krisha centers on the theme of as a relentless cycle of isolation and failed redemption, portraying the protagonist's desperate attempts at reintegration undermined by her internal struggles. This is evident in Krisha's return to the gathering, where her unravels amid mounting pressure, highlighting how erodes personal agency and perpetuates . The narrative underscores the futility of redemption without sustained support, as Krisha's —symbolized briefly in a hidden drinking scene—exposes the fragility of recovery in unsympathetic environments. Strained family bonds and the quest for form another core motif, illustrating the deep fissures caused by past betrayals. The family's wary interactions reveal a collective wariness born from years of abandonment, with members oscillating between tentative warmth and outright confrontation. emerges as an elusive ideal, contingent on Krisha's ability to atone, yet repeatedly thwarted by resurfacing resentments that prevent genuine . This dynamic captures the ambivalence of familial , where affection coexists with unresolved pain, emphasizing the difficulty of rebuilding trust after trauma. Memory and past trauma infuse the present interactions, shaping perceptions and behaviors in subtle yet pervasive ways. Krisha's of absence haunts the gathering, manifesting in distorted recollections and unspoken accusations that color every exchange. The film draws from semi-autobiographical inspirations to depict trauma's lingering grip, portraying as a raw, inevitable echo of unresolved guilt rather than a mere . These elements underscore how selective memory sustains denial, complicating efforts to confront and heal from familial wounds. Symbolic elements enrich the thematic depth, with the turkey preparation serving as a metaphor for Krisha's crumbling control and self-imposed burden of proof. Tasked with cooking the centerpiece meal, Krisha's mishandling of the turkey mirrors her unraveling composure, transforming a domestic ritual into a symbol of impending failure. The house functions as a microcosm of familial pressure, its open, chaotic layout confining characters in a pressure cooker of overlapping tensions and inescapable scrutiny. Sound design further amplifies this chaos, employing overlapping dialogue and abrupt silences to convey Krisha's disorientation, where the din of family noise isolates her psychologically and the sudden quietude underscores her alienation. Psychologically, the film probes and behaviors, revealing how the family's cautious perpetuates the cycle of dysfunction. Relatives' mixed signals—offering opportunities for redemption while withholding full trust—trap Krisha in a web of dependency, where her efforts to "save" herself rely on their conditional acceptance. This exploration highlights the intergenerational toll of , with rooted in love's distortions, ultimately fostering isolation rather than mutual healing.

Cast and production

Cast

The principal cast of Krisha (2015) features a mix of family members of director Trey Edward Shults and professional actors, emphasizing authenticity through non-professional performers drawn from his real-life relatives to capture the nuances of familial dynamics. Shults intentionally cast many non-actors from his own family to enhance the film's raw, improvisational feel, filming in his mother's Texas home over nine days. Krisha Fairchild portrays the titular character Krisha, a recovering attempting to reconnect with her family during ; Fairchild, Shults' real-life , brings a layered vulnerability to the role informed by her own family's history of addiction struggles, as well as her background as a theater and actress since the 1970s, though she had largely stepped away from acting after early dissatisfaction with Hollywood opportunities. Trey Edward Shults plays Trey, Krisha's estranged son and a semi-autobiographical for the director himself, reflecting Shults' personal experiences with due to . Robyn Fairchild, Shults' mother and a by profession, appears as Robyn, Krisha's supportive yet strained sister, leveraging her non-acting status to convey genuine emotional restraint. Victoria Fairchild, another of Shults' aunts, plays Vicki, the pragmatic family hosting the gathering, contributing to the ensemble's lived-in realism through her familial ties. Billie Fairchild, Shults' grandmother, portrays the elderly family member whose quiet presence underscores generational tensions. Non-family professionals include Alex Dobrenko as Alex, a young family member representing Trey's earlier self in reflective moments, adding youthful innocence to the proceedings. Bill Wise plays Doyle, the acerbic brother-in-law whose skepticism heightens interpersonal conflicts, drawing on Wise's experience in independent theater and film for sharp, understated delivery. Chris Doubek portrays Dr. Becker, a peripheral associate offering detached counsel, selected for his prior roles in introspective dramas that align with the film's intimate tone.

Development

The development of Krisha began as a deeply personal project for writer-director , drawing from semi-autobiographical elements rooted in his family's real-life struggles with , particularly those experienced by his aunt Krisha Fairchild, who would later portray the lead role. Shults initially conceptualized the story through home videos of family Thanksgivings, capturing the chaotic dynamics of reunions, which he blended with fictional narrative to explore themes of and estrangement. This intimate approach was influenced by filmmakers like , under whom Shults had interned, and John Cassavetes, whose raw, improvisational style in films such as A Woman Under the Influence shaped Shults' focus on emotional authenticity and family tensions. The project originated as a low-budget shot in with a $7,000 self-financed , primarily at Shults' mother's house using non-professional family members, including Fairchild in the title role. Intended as a proof-of-concept for a feature, the short premiered at SXSW in , where it received a Special Jury Recognition award, prompting Shults to expand it into a full-length script in the months following. This evolution transformed the 15-minute piece into an 82-minute narrative, incorporating more layered character backstories while retaining the single-location setting of the family home to minimize costs and enhance realism. Funding for the feature remained modest at approximately , largely self-financed by Shults, who leveraged the short's momentum to assemble a cast of relatives—such as his mother Robyn Fairchild and grandmother Billie Fairchild—avoiding traditional auditions in favor of authentic familial interactions. emphasized practicality, with decisions like confining the action to the family house during a nine-day shoot to eliminate location fees and foster improvisation, allowing the script's emotional core to emerge organically from lived experiences. The expanded script was completed by mid-2014, setting the stage for principal photography that August.

Filming

for Krisha took place from August 2 to August 10, 2014, in director ' parents' home in , creating an intimate, enclosed environment that mirrored the film's themes of familial tension. The production operated with a small, intimate including Drew Daniels, a steadicam operator, boom operator, and first assistant camera, totaling fewer than 10 members to maintain a DIY ethos amid the $30,000 micro-budget. from natural sunlight was primarily used, with windows blocked as needed to control exposure, emphasizing the raw, unpolished domestic realism. The film was shot digitally on Red Epic and Red Scarlet cameras equipped with Cooke S4 prime lenses and an zoom, employing a mix of long takes and handheld movements to evoke real-time unease and . Daniels handled most camera operation, with Shults occasionally stepping in, while complex sequences like the opening 6-7 minute shot required one day of rehearsal and up to 17 takes to perfect the , subjective tracking. was approximately 70% scripted and 30% improvised, particularly in interactions involving family members and supporting actors like Bill as the uncle Doyle, allowing for spontaneous emotional depth among the largely non-professional cast of Shults' relatives. Budget constraints necessitated this lean approach, with the crew sleeping on-site and relying on practical blocking rather than extensive setups, fostering an improvisational energy that heightened the on-set immersion. In , Shults personally edited the footage into an 83-minute runtime, completing a in two weeks that was only 10 minutes longer than the final version, focusing on pacing to condense the material while preserving narrative momentum. , initially handled by Tim Rakoczy, was later remixed at by Michael Semanick to amplify ambient noises and disorientation, drawing inspiration from Paul Thomas Anderson's films to underscore the escalating chaos. enhanced the emotional intensity through subtle desaturation and warm tones in interior scenes, complementing the editing's rhythmic cuts and montages that reflected the protagonist's unraveling psyche. This technical execution supported the film's thematic exploration of familial discord by immersing viewers in a visceral, unfiltered experience.

Release and reception

Release

Krisha had its world premiere at the (SXSW) Film Festival on March 17, 2015, where it competed in the Narrative Feature category and won both the Grand Jury Award and the Audience Award. The film continued its festival run with an international premiere in the section at the on May 20, 2015, followed by other events throughout the year. During the , acquired the U.S. distribution rights to Krisha on May 18, 2015, and handled its starting March 18, 2016, in select theaters across the country. The distributor also managed international releases in limited markets, aligning with the film's independent profile. In its U.S. theatrical run, Krisha opened on two screens and expanded modestly to a maximum of 26 theaters, grossing a total of $144,822 domestically, which underscored its status as a low-budget indie release with niche appeal. A24's marketing campaign highlighted director ' feature debut and the film's basis in his real family dynamics, positioning it as an authentic, tension-filled drama; this included the release of an official trailer on November 23, 2015, which emphasized the escalating familial conflicts during the setting.

Critical reception

Krisha received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, particularly for its raw emotional depth and innovative filmmaking techniques. On review aggregator , the film holds a 95% approval rating based on 79 reviews, with an average score of 8.3/10, reflecting praise for its unflinching portrayal of family dysfunction. Similarly, Metacritic assigns it a score of 86 out of 100 based on 31 critics, indicating "universal acclaim" and highlighting its intense psychological realism. Critics lauded lead actress Krisha Fairchild's performance as the troubled titular character, with Variety describing it as a "searing, soul-baring turn" that anchors the film's blistering intimacy. Director Trey Edward Shults' debut was frequently commended for its raw, handheld cinematography and immersive sound design, which build escalating tension akin to a horror film; Roger Ebert's review noted how the "frantic score" and visual style evoke "pure terror" in everyday family interactions. The Guardian praised Shults' direction as an "outstanding portrait" of familial strain, emphasizing the film's engrossing, single-location focus during a chaotic Thanksgiving gathering. Common themes in reviews included acclaim for Shults' assured first feature, often drawing comparisons to ' improvisational family dramas for its authentic, non-professional cast dynamics and emotional volatility. The film's use of sound and was highlighted for amplifying unease, with critics like those at noting how close-ups and overlapping dialogue create a visceral sense of isolation amid chaos. However, a minority of reviews critiqued the pacing, suggesting the 82-minute runtime felt abrupt in its climactic confrontations, leaving some emotional beats underdeveloped. Audience responses echoed the festival buzz from its SXSW premiere, where it won the Grand Jury Award, with viewers describing intense, uncomfortable viewings that lingered emotionally during limited theatrical runs.

Accolades

Krisha garnered significant recognition from film festivals and industry awards bodies between 2015 and 2017, particularly for its micro-budget production and debut performances. At the 2015 (SXSW) Film Festival, where the film premiered, it won both the Grand Jury Award and the Audience Award in the Narrative Feature Competition. These victories highlighted the film's immediate impact on audiences and jurors, stemming from its raw portrayal of family dynamics. In 2016, Krisha received the John Cassavetes Award at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, an honor for the best feature made for under $500,000, underscoring its achievement as a low-budget indie success. The film was nominated for the Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award at the Gotham Awards, recognizing director Trey Edward Shults' emerging talent. Additionally, the National Board of Review included Krisha in its Top Ten Independent Films list and awarded Shults the Best Directorial Debut prize. The New York Film Critics Circle awarded Krisha Best First Film (tied with The Edge of Seventeen). The Los Angeles Film Critics Association presented the New Generation Award to both Shults and lead actress Krisha Fairchild for their contributions. The film's accolades culminated in 2017 with a sweep at the inaugural American Independent Film Awards, where it won Best Film, Best Director (Shults), Best Lead Performance (Fairchild), Best Original Screenplay, and Best Score. These honors affirmed Krisha's influence within the independent cinema community during its initial release window.

Legacy

Cultural impact

Krisha has contributed to broader societal discussions on the portrayal of in independent cinema, particularly through its raw depiction of familial recovery and during gatherings. The film's unflinching examination of 's ripple effects on family dynamics has been highlighted in media analyses as a benchmark for authentic representation, influencing subsequent indie works that prioritize over . For instance, a 2016 VICE interview with director emphasized how the movie draws from personal experiences to humanize the struggles of recovery, avoiding clichéd narratives and instead showcasing the chaos of in a domestic setting. Similarly, an NPR piece from the same year framed Krisha as offering lessons on the limitations of familial intervention in , underscoring its role in sparking conversations about behaviors and emotional boundaries. A 2020 Film Cred retrospective further noted the film's impact in humanizing challenges amid trauma, positioning it as a touchstone for indie films addressing 's interpersonal toll. In media retrospectives marking the film's tenth anniversary in 2025, Krisha has been revisited as a enduring holiday drama that captures the tension of reconciliation. A November 2025 review in In The Seats praised its central performance and thematic depth as a mirror to class and familial disconnection, reaffirming its status as a seasonal viewing staple for exploring dysfunction during gatherings. Online forums, including Reddit discussions, frequently reference Krisha within Shults' body of work; for example, during Shults' May 2025 AMA on r/movies, users highlighted the film's raw intensity as a foundational piece in his oeuvre, contributing to its ongoing dialogue among enthusiasts. Culturally, Krisha is cited in analyses of autobiographical indie filmmaking for its use of non-professional actors from the director's family, blending personal catharsis with universal themes of estrangement. A 2016 Rolling Stone article described it as a "highly autobiographical portrait of addiction" that examines raw family wounds, influencing perceptions of indie cinema's potential for therapeutic storytelling. This approach has bolstered A24's reputation for championing intimate, character-driven dramas, with the film's SXSW success in 2015 exemplifying the distributor's early commitment to bold, personal narratives that prioritize emotional authenticity over commercial polish. Scholarly-adjacent critiques, such as a 2016 Film School Rejects essay, analyze its stylistic choices—like handheld cinematography and discordant scoring—as innovative tools for conveying self-destruction in autobiographical contexts, cementing its place in film studies on indie psychological portraits. As of 2025, Krisha's availability on streaming platforms like has sustained its among film enthusiasts, enabling wider accessibility and renewed appreciation for its themes of and family. This digital presence has amplified its resonance, with viewers on platforms like JustWatch noting its enduring appeal as a free or ad-supported option, fostering discussions in online communities about its relevance to contemporary recovery narratives.

Influence on filmmaker's career

Krisha marked the debut of writer-director , propelling him from an emerging indie filmmaker to a recognized talent in the industry. Following its premiere and dual and Awards at the 2015 SXSW Film Festival, acquired U.S. distribution rights for the and entered into a two-picture deal with Shults, committing to produce and distribute his subsequent project. This agreement directly facilitated the development of his sophomore feature, (2017), a that produced and released theatrically. The success of Krisha thus established a foundational partnership with , enabling Shults to transition from low-budget, self-financed work to studio-backed productions while maintaining creative control. The film's impact extended to Shults' ongoing collaborations and stylistic evolution. Cinematographer Drew Daniels, who first worked with Shults on Krisha, became a key creative partner, contributing to the visual intimacy of It Comes at Night and the dynamic aspect ratios and color palettes of Waves (2019). Waves, also distributed by A24, represented a shift to larger budgets and a broader ensemble cast, yet retained Shults' signature focus on familial tension and emotional rawness, themes rooted in Krisha's autobiographical elements. In a 2025 Reddit AMA, Shults credited the production of Krisha as transformative, stating, "No joke, shooting Krisha was the best 9 days of my life. It was incredible and has informed how I've made every film since," underscoring its role in shaping his collaborative process and emphasis on building a "creative family" on set. Shults has reflected on Krisha as a deeply personal outlet for processing family dynamics, particularly addiction and estrangement, which influenced the thematic continuity in his later works. In a 2020 interview, he described his early films, including Krisha, as "pure exorcism," serving as a form of self-therapy to confront unresolved trauma. This therapeutic approach carried into Waves, which explored similar motifs of parental pressure and sibling bonds, and informed his handling of interpersonal conflicts in subsequent projects. By 2025, Krisha is regarded as a seminal indie breakthrough that solidified Shults' reputation as a director of intimate, character-driven dramas. Its acclaim paved the way for high-profile opportunities, including directing Hurry Up Tomorrow (2025), a starring and , produced by Lionsgate and building on the personal storytelling honed through Krisha.

References

  1. https://a24films.com/films/krisha
  2. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/krisha_2016
  3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4266638/fullcredits/
  4. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4266638/releaseinfo/
  5. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Krisha
  6. https://variety.com/2016/film/awards/new-york-film-critics-circle-awards-winners-2016-1201931119/
  7. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4266638/
  8. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/krisha-2016
  9. https://time.com/4263626/krisha-movie-review/
  10. https://www.npr.org/2016/03/16/470668069/we-couldnt-save-them-lessons-from-a-film-about-family-and-addiction
  11. https://film-cred.com/krisha-addiction-a24-thanksgiving/
  12. https://www.buzzfeed.com/alisonwillmore/krisha-turns-thanksgiving-into-a-horror-movie
  13. https://www.npr.org/2016/03/18/470947150/krisha-offers-a-vivid-unique-portrait-of-family-dysfunction
  14. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/13/movies/with-krisha-a-director-finds-a-cast-he-can-relate-to.html
  15. https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/krisha-how-a-home-movie-became-an-indie-film-sensation-227368/
  16. https://www.filminquiry.com/krisha-2015-review/
  17. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/krisha_2016/cast-and-crew
  18. https://www.filmcomment.com/blog/interview-trey-edward-shults/
  19. https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/the-movies-that-changed-my-life-krisha-director-trey-edward-shults-259612/
  20. https://anthemmagazine.com/trey-edward-shults-takes-it-home/
  21. https://nofilmschool.com/2016/03/trey-edward-shults-breakout-film-krisha-was-shot-9-days
  22. https://www.vice.com/en/article/krisha-film-interview-trey-shults-2016/
  23. https://schedule.sxsw.com/2015/events/event_FS17761
  24. https://www.rogerebert.com/far-flung-correspondents/it-feels-like-a-horror-movie-on-trey-edward-shults-krisha
  25. https://variety.com/2015/film/festivals/inside-the-making-of-sxsws-award-winning-indie-krisha-1201455094/
  26. https://filmmakermagazine.com/96984-family-plot/
  27. https://www.shootonline.com/article/trey-edward-shults-makes-impactful-krisha-shoestring-budget/
  28. https://www.indiewire.com/features/craft/krisha-learn-the-secrets-of-the-films-daring-and-inventive-cinematography-55837/
  29. https://shotonwhat.com/krisha-2015
  30. https://www.lecinemaclub.com/archives/krisha/
  31. https://variety.com/2015/film/festivals/sxsw-film-review-krisha-1201456120/
  32. https://www.screendaily.com/trey-edward-shults-krisha/5088602.article
  33. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/krisha-film-review-785981/
  34. https://variety.com/2015/film/festivals/sxsw-film-awards-krisha-peace-officer-win-grand-jury-awards-1201454995/
  35. https://deadline.com/2015/03/sxsw-2015-audience-awards-krisha-peace-officer-win-again-1201396417/
  36. https://www.semainedelacritique.com/en/edition/2015/movie/krisha
  37. https://www.montanafilmfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/MTFF-2015-Program-Insert_Final.pdf
  38. https://variety.com/2015/film/news/cannes-a24-takes-rights-to-sxsw-winner-krisha-plus-directors-next-film-1201499676/
  39. https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/a24-acquires-sxsw-winner-krisha-will-distribute-and-produce-trey-edward-shults-second-feature-61746/
  40. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt4266638/
  41. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnX_lLuENfI
  42. https://www.metacritic.com/movie/krisha/
  43. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/mar/16/krisha-film-review-sxsw-trey-edward-shults
  44. https://www.ioncinema.com/reviews/krisha-review
  45. https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/review-trey-edward-shults-dreamlike-intimate-and-stunning-krisha-259544/
  46. https://www.metacritic.com/movie/krisha/critic-reviews/
  47. https://www.filmindependent.org/blog/krisha-how-a-first-time-filmmaker-stole-the-audience-and-jury-awards-at-sxsw/
  48. https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/mar/18/sxsw-film-krisha-peace-officer-festival
  49. https://www.filmindependent.org/press-releases/2016-film-independent-spirit-awards-winners-announced/
  50. https://variety.com/2016/film/news/gotham-awards-nominations-2016-list-nominees-1201895205/
  51. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/national-board-review-2016-winners-951071/
  52. http://www.lafca.net/Years/2016.php
  53. https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/american-independent-film-awards-krisha-the-fits-1201785266/
  54. https://thefilmstage.com/krisha-sweeps-the-inaugural-american-independent-film-awards/
  55. https://intheseats.ca/food-in-film-our-review-of-krisha-2015/
  56. https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/1kgwj78/hi_rmovies_im_trey_edward_shults_writer_and/
  57. https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/the-story-behind-krisha-the-family-affair-that-rocked-sxsw-248166/
  58. https://filmschoolrejects.com/krisha-and-the-art-of-filming-self-destruction-3b2371cb64f8/
  59. https://www.netflix.com/title/80046777
  60. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/krisha
  61. https://deadline.com/2015/05/krisha-director-trey-edward-shults-a24-cannes-two-picture-deal-1201429107/
  62. https://variety.com/2020/film/spotlight/trey-edward-shults-waves-dp-drew-daniels-discusses-the-striking-look-of-the-drama-1203436353/
  63. https://michaeljcinema.com/2019/11/21/trey-edward-shults-on-waves/
  64. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/jan/03/maybe-im-taking-things-too-far-trey-edwards-shults-on-mining-his-familys-trauma
  65. https://www.thefader.com/2025/05/06/the-weeknd-trey-edward-shults-hurry-up-tomorrow-interview
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.