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Raymond & Ray
Raymond & Ray
Raymond & Ray
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Raymond & Ray
Official release poster
Directed byRodrigo García
Written byRodrigo García
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyIgor Jadue-Lillo
Edited byMichael Ruscio
Music byJeff Beal
Production
companies
Distributed byApple TV+
Release dates
  • September 12, 2022 (2022-09-12) (TIFF)
  • October 14, 2022 (2022-10-14) (United States)
  • October 21, 2022 (2022-10-21) (Apple TV+)
Running time
100 minutes[1]
Countries
  • Mexico
  • United States
LanguageEnglish

Raymond & Ray is a 2022 comedy-drama film written and directed by Rodrigo García. The film stars Ewan McGregor, Ethan Hawke, Maribel Verdú, and Sophie Okonedo.

Raymond & Ray had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 12, 2022, and was released in select cinemas on October 14, 2022, before its streaming release on October 21, 2022, by Apple TV+.[2]

Plot

[edit]

Raymond drives on a late, rainy night to a remote cabin to inform his half-brother, Ray, that their father, Ben Harris, has died. Raymond informs Ray that it was their father's last wish that all his sons attend his funeral. Raymond works in a boring office job and is in the middle of a divorce. Ray is a recovering heroin addict who gave up playing jazz music on the trumpet as a way to thumb his nose at his father, who had pushed him to learn to play the instrument. Ray is at first reluctant to go, but Raymond convinces him after admitting that he lost his driver's license when he was arrested for a DUI. The brothers haven't seen each other in nearly five years because of the abuse their father inflicted on them during childhood.

Driving most of the next day, they finally arrive at the funeral home. To their shock, their father had requested to be buried in the nude, and he wanted his sons to dig his grave with their own hands. They go to the home their father was living in and meet his nurse, Lucia, who was also his lover. While Lucia's home, she provides each of them with a box from their father. Raymond receives dolls, ice skates, and condoms. Ray receives a trumpet that he thought his father had destroyed when he was a teenager. To his surprise, Lucia tells Ray his father refurbished the trumpet a few weeks earlier. Ray then grapples with the emotional trauma his father inflicted on him and his brother.

At the funeral home showing, Lucia arrives and leaves a nude photograph of herself in Harris's shirt pocket. Raymond takes the photograph after Lucia leaves. Later on, Ray meets Kiera who helped Harris at the hospital in his final days at the mourning where he tells him that Harris listened to the same instrumental song to calm down during his final days. Ray invites her to the funeral in the cemetery.

While digging the grave, Ray converses with Reverend West about Harris's spirituality. Lucia arrives with her son, Simon, and reveals that he is Ray and Raymond's brother as well. Ray asked Simon about Harris's phone to know the instrumental song, but Simon says he wiped out the phone memory. Two fraternal twins arrive at the funeral and reveal they are also sons of Harris. All brothers take turns digging the grave. Ray meets Kiera at the funeral and Ray discusses his late wife's funeral. After their father is laid to rest, Reverend West asks Raymond to say a few words. Overcome with childhood trauma, Raymond runs to the car and gets a gun. Initially he points it at himself, then later shoots his father's coffin in the ground. Lucia consoles him afterward. Ray retrieves his trumpet and plays an instrumental song at the funeral as a cathartic release of his childhood trauma. At the end of the funeral, Reverend West provides each brother with a letter from their father.

After the funeral, Raymond goes home with Lucia and Ray meets Kiera at a bar. Raymond bonds with Lucia and they kiss. While kissing, Lucia finds Raymond's nude photograph of her and she walks to the door. However, she locks the door and they have sex. Ray and Kiera bond at the bar. Kiera takes Ray to the jazz club and he plays his trumpet. When leaving the jazz club, Kiera invites Ray to come with her but he declines.

Raymond reads his letter where his father apologizes for his abusive behavior and reveals Ray is not his half-brother. Ray's mother was already pregnant when she met Harris who assumed the role of his real father. The letter ends with Raymond given a choice to reveal the truth to Ray or not. Conversely, Ray's letter says he was a golden boy and that he loves him. In the morning, Raymond opts to stay with Lucia for a few days and the brothers lovingly say goodbye to each other. Raymond says they will meet again in a few days to talk and Ray drives away in the rain.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

It was announced in August 2021 that Ewan McGregor and Ethan Hawke had been cast to star in the film, which is written and directed by Rodrigo García.[3] In October, Maribel Verdú and Sophie Okonedo were added to the cast,[4] with Maxim Swinton joining the next month.[5]

Virginia governor Ralph Northam announced in September 2021 that the film would shoot in Central Virginia beginning in the fall.[6] Filming began in Richmond the following month.[7][8] Filming took place in Hopewell, Virginia from October 18 to 21.[9] Filming took place at Oakwood Cemetery in Richmond in November.[10]

Jeff Beal composed the film's score.[11]

Release

[edit]

It had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 12, 2022. It also made it to 'World Cinema' section of 27th Busan International Film Festival, screening on October 7, 2022.[12]

Critical reception

[edit]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 48% of 81 critics' reviews are positive. The website's consensus reads: "Ethan Hawke and Ewan McGregor are almost -- but not quite -- compelling enough to make up for Raymond & Ray's listless narrative."[13] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 49 out of 100, based on 22 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[14]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Raymond & Ray

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Raymond & Ray is a American comedy-drama film written and directed by Rodrigo García. The story centers on half-brothers Raymond (played by ) and Ray (played by ), who reunite after the death of their estranged and abusive father and discover his final wish: for them to dig his grave. Despite the shadow of their traumatic upbringing, the brothers share a sense of humor as they navigate this unusual task, confronting their past and familial bonds along the way. The film also features supporting performances by as Lucia, as Kiera, and as Reverend West. Produced by Mockingbird Pictures as an Apple Original Film and distributed via Apple TV+, Raymond & Ray had its world premiere at the on September 12, 2022, followed by a on October 14, 2022, and streaming availability on October 21, 2022. With a runtime of 106 minutes, the film explores themes of , , and fraternal connection through its blend of dark humor and emotional depth. Critics offered mixed responses, praising the lead actors' chemistry while noting inconsistencies in pacing and tone, resulting in a 49% approval rating on based on 83 reviews.

Plot and characters

Plot summary

Half-brothers and Ray reunite following the death of their estranged father, Ben Harris. arrives at Ray's remote cabin on a rainy night to deliver the news, marking the first time the siblings have seen each other in years. At the will reading, they learn of their father's peculiar final request: that they personally dig his grave before his burial. Unable to drive due to a suspended , relies on Ray for the journey to the site, turning the trip into an unexpected road adventure. En route and upon arrival, the brothers encounter key figures from their father's later life, including his longtime partner Lucia and his nurse , as well as a local reverend who officiated aspects of Ben's existence. These meetings uncover details about Ben's final years and introduce the brothers to a young half-sibling, Simon, born to Lucia, along with additional half-siblings including fraternal twins. As they begin the laborious task of digging the grave, the process unfolds with surreal and comedic elements, including mishaps and imaginative detours that test their patience and spark candid conversations. The burial proceedings escalate into emotional confrontations, where longstanding resentments surface amid the physical strain of the task. Through these interactions and revelations, the brothers navigate their fractured history, leading to a resolution that fosters reconciliation and personal growth in their relationship.

Cast

The film stars as Raymond, the more responsible and anxious half-brother who has built a stable but unfulfilling life. portrays Ray, Raymond's laid-back and troubled counterpart, a drifter struggling with personal demons. McGregor and Hawke, longtime friends since meeting on the set of in 1997, drew on their real-life bond to enhance the authentic sibling dynamic between their characters. Maribel Verdú plays Lucia, the brothers' late father's former lover and a grounded single mother who offers them unexpected hospitality. stars as Kiera, the no-nonsense yet compassionate nurse who provided care to the father during his final days.
ActorRoleDescription
Reverend WestThe officiant presiding over the funeral service.
HarrisBen Harris, the brothers' abusive father (in flashbacks).
CanfieldOne of the father's old associates encountered by the brothers.
Oscar NuñezMendezThe father's attorney.

Production

Development

Rodrigo García wrote the original for Raymond & Ray, beginning with a simple concept of a player digging his father's grave, which he later expanded into a feature-length story involving two half-brothers confronting their shared history. The narrative drew inspiration from García's interest in dynamics, particularly the psychological impact of an abusive father on sons' emotional development, as well as death rituals that force confrontation with grief and unresolved trauma. This theme echoed influences from his work on the series Six Feet Under, where he explored similar tensions around mortality and family bonds. Apple Studios acquired the project package in August 2021, marking it as an independent-scale production backed by the streaming service for both theatrical and Apple TV+ distribution. The deal included producers , , and Julie Lynn through their Mockingbird Pictures banner, with Gabriela Rodriguez and Shea Kammer serving as executive producers. Initial casting announcements for leads and followed immediately, positioning them as the titular half-brothers. The project officially entered development in October 2021, following the acquisition, as pre-production preparations ramped up ahead of filming. García's vision for the film emphasized blending comedy and drama to examine , using absurd humor—such as unexpected elements—to create a "pressure cooker" effect that builds toward emotional without overt sentimentality. This approach aligned with his prior directorial efforts, including Nine Lives (2005), which similarly delved into interconnected family stories marked by loss and reconciliation.

Filming

Principal photography for Raymond & Ray commenced in October 2021, in , marking the start of a fall shoot primarily in Central . The production spanned locations including urban sites in Richmond for character-driven interactions and rural areas around Hopewell for key sequences. Specific filming occurred in Hopewell from October 18 to 21, 2021, utilizing two distinct sites to capture the film's grounded, everyday settings. Grave-digging scenes were shot at Oakwood Cemetery in Richmond during November 2021, emphasizing authentic, on-location work. The shoot faced logistical hurdles amid the post-pandemic recovery period, with Virginia's still implementing safety protocols such as testing and masking to ensure crew and cast health. These measures, announced alongside the project's by Governor , highlighted the state's efforts to revive productions safely. For the burial sequences, the team relied on practical effects and real environments rather than digital enhancements, contributing to the film's realistic tone. Cinematographer Igor Jadue-Lillo led the visual team, employing natural lighting to foster among the characters, particularly in the leafy rural backroads and intimate interior scenes. This approach aligned with the production's focus on grounded realism, avoiding major and prioritizing the organic textures of Virginia's landscapes. The backing, secured during development, facilitated this location-based shoot in the region.

Release

Premiere

Raymond & Ray had its world premiere at the 47th (TIFF) on September 12, 2022, at . The event featured a red carpet appearance by director Rodrigo García, leads and , and supporting cast members including and , generating early festival interest in the film's blend of dark humor and family drama. The film continued its festival run with additional screenings in fall 2022, including at the on October 7 in the section, the Hamptons International on October 8, the 58th on October 16, and the Rio de Janeiro International on October 7. The festival premiere paved the way for a limited theatrical rollout on October 14, 2022, ahead of its streaming debut on Apple TV+ the following week.

Distribution

Raymond & Ray was released exclusively on Apple TV+ as an Apple Original Films production, debuting worldwide on October 21, 2022. The film did not receive a wide theatrical release, aligning with Apple's direct-to-streaming model for its original content, though it had a limited theatrical run in select U.S. theaters starting October 14, 2022. The international rollout was simultaneous across more than 100 countries where Apple TV+ is available, enabling global accessibility on launch day via the streaming service. Marketing efforts included promotions integrated with Apple's ecosystem, such as trailers on and features in to drive subscriptions and viewership. For home media, the film is available for digital purchase or rental through the on compatible devices, allowing users to own or access it indefinitely beyond the subscription model. As of 2025, no releases, such as DVD or Blu-ray, have been announced for Raymond & Ray. Specific viewership metrics for the film's initial streaming performance are not publicly detailed by Apple, but it did not chart in the top 10 rankings on Apple TV+ during its first weeks, reflecting modest engagement compared to other originals.

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release, Raymond & Ray garnered mixed reviews from critics, who were divided on its execution as a dramedy exploring familial dysfunction and mortality. On , the film holds a 49% approval rating based on 83 reviews, with an average rating of 5.8/10; the site's critic consensus states that " and are almost—but not quite—compelling enough to make up for Raymond & Ray's listless narrative." Similarly, assigns it a score of 49 out of 100 based on 22 reviews, signifying "mixed or average" reception, with critics noting a blend of 32% positive, 59% mixed, and 9% negative assessments. response was somewhat more favorable, with a 56% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from over 100 verified user ratings, suggesting greater appreciation for its character-driven elements among general viewers. Praise frequently centered on the lead performances and the film's tonal balance of dark humor and pathos, particularly the palpable chemistry between Ewan McGregor and Ethan Hawke as the estranged half-brothers. Roger Ebert's review awarded it 2 out of 4 stars, commending Hawke's nuanced portrayal of emotional turmoil and McGregor's grounded everyman quality, which elevate the early scenes of brotherly reconnection amid grief. The Hollywood Reporter gave it an 80 out of 100, highlighting how the duo's interplay infuses the narrative with wry tenderness, making the absurdities of their situation—such as unconventional funeral preparations—both humorous and poignant. Director Rodrigo García's stylistic approach, reminiscent of his contributions to Six Feet Under where he explored death's emotional intricacies, was also noted for lending authentic pathos to the proceedings, though some felt it leaned too heavily on familiar indie-drama tropes. Criticisms often focused on the film's uneven tone, predictable plotting, and underutilized supporting cast, which diluted its potential impact. The New York Times described it as a "dreary drama" hampered by inert pacing and forced quirkiness, arguing that the story's meandering structure fails to fully capitalize on its promising premise of fraternal reconciliation. Variety echoed this, calling the script "ham-fisted" and listless, with underdeveloped secondary characters like the brothers' romantic interests feeling inauthentic and sidelined. Collider's assessment labeled it a "predictable, completely fine, but uneventful dramedy," critiquing how the blend of comedy and tragedy occasionally veers into mediocrity without deeper innovation. Thematically, Raymond & Ray delves into grief's complexities, the possibility of reconciliation despite inherited trauma, and the surreal rituals surrounding , using the brothers' shared task of grave-digging as a for unearthing buried resentments. Reviews appreciated how these motifs allow for moments of —such as the father's eccentric will—that underscore the irrationality of loss, fostering subtle insights into without overt . However, the consensus held that while García effectively captures the emotional undercurrents of brotherhood, the film's reluctance to subvert expectations limits its resonance in a crowded field of similar stories.

Accolades

Raymond & Ray received limited formal recognition from critics' groups following its release. The film's lead actor earned a runner-up placement in the Film Critics Society's Special Award for Body of Work category for 2022, acknowledging his performances across The Black Phone, : A Mystery, , and Raymond & Ray. Despite positive notes on the performances in some reviews, the film did not secure nominations from major awards bodies such as the or , consistent with the challenges faced by many streaming-exclusive releases. It also did not win any prizes at its premiere festival, the . As of November 2025, no further accolades or nominations have been awarded to the film, its cast, or crew.

References

  1. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/raymond_and_ray
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15334032/
  3. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/869025-raymond-ray
  4. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/raymond-and-ray-movie-review-2022
  5. https://collider.com/raymond-and-ray-release-date-cast-trailer-ewan-mcgregor-ethan-hawke-movie/
  6. https://www.joblo.com/raymond-ray-review/
  7. https://variety.com/2022/film/reviews/raymond-and-ray-review-ethan-hawke-ewan-mcgregor-1235371163/
  8. https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/cmplxdaniel-barna/ethan-hawke-ewan-mcgregor-raymond-and-ray-interview
  9. https://deadline.com/2021/10/apple-movie-raymond-and-ray-maribel-verdu-sophie-okonedo-1234859873/
  10. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/869025-raymond-ray/cast?language=en-US
  11. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15334032/fullcredits
  12. https://www.motionpictures.org/2022/11/raymond-ray-writer-director-rodrigo-garcia-digs-deep-with-ewan-mcgregor-ethan-hawke/
  13. https://observer.com/2022/10/rodrigo-garcia-on-the-pain-and-humor-of-raymond-ray-and-directing-ewan-mcgregor-and-ethan-hawke/
  14. https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2021/08/apple-studios-lands-raymond-and-ray-new-film-starring-ewan-mcgregor-and-ethan-hawke/
  15. https://variety.com/2021/film/news/ewan-mcgregor-ethan-hawke-raymond-and-ray-apple-studios-1235052045/
  16. https://www.movieinsider.com/m19682/raymond-and-ray
  17. https://www.virginia.org/things-to-do/arts-and-entertainment/film/raymond-ray/
  18. https://www.wric.com/entertainment-news/new-feature-film-raymond-and-ray-shooting-in-hopewell-this-week/
  19. https://www.richmondcemeteries.org/2021/11/02/gravediggers-at-oakwood-cemetery/
  20. https://www.imore.com/apple-tvs-raymond-and-ray-filming-virginia-fall
  21. https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/trailer-released-for-raymond-and-ray-movie-filmed-in-hopewell/
  22. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/raymond-and-ray-ewan-mcgregor-ethan-hawke-rodrigo-garcia-1235219548/
  23. https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/raymond-and-ray-toronto-review/5174352.article
  24. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15334032/releaseinfo/
  25. https://deadline.com/gallery/toronto-film-festival-2022-gallery-the-best-of-the-red-carpet/
  26. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/ewan-mcgregor-and-ethan-hawke-attend-the-raymond-ray-news-photo/1423185598
  27. https://letterboxd.com/film/raymond-ray/
  28. https://variety.com/2022/film/news/causeway-jennifer-lawrence-louis-armstrong-black-and-blues-premiere-apple-tiff-1235358154/
  29. https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/originals/raymond-and-ray/
  30. https://www.whathifi.com/advice/how-to-watch-raymond-and-ray-comedy-starring-ewan-mcgregor-and-ethan-hawke
  31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fzW5DpoApg
  32. https://support.apple.com/guide/tvapp/buy-or-rent-movies-and-tv-shows-atvbfe57326e/web
  33. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/releasedates.php
  34. https://entertainmentstrategyguy.com/2023/02/14/the-top-35-film-flops-bombs-and-misses-for-the-second-half-of-2022/
  35. https://www.metacritic.com/movie/raymond-ray/
  36. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/20/movies/raymond-ray-review.html
  37. https://collider.com/raymond-and-ray-review-ewan-mcgregor-ethan-hawke/
  38. https://www.sdfcs.org/2022-award-winners/
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