Cherry

Movie Trailer

Release Date
February 26, 2021

Genre
Crime Drama

Cast & Crew

• Tom Holland as Cherry
• Ciara Bravo as Emily
• Jack Reynor as Pills & Coke
• Michael Rispoli as Tommy
• Jeffrey Wahlberg as Jimenez
• Forrest Goodluck as James Lightfoot

Director
Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Other Movies Director is Known For:

• Avengers: Endgame (2019)
• Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
• Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
• Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Producer
Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Writer
Angela Russo-Otstot, Jessica Goldberg (Screenplay), based on the novel by Nico Walker

Budget
$40 million

Production Company
AGBO Films, The Hideaway Entertainment

Running Time
141 minutes

Languages
English

Maturity Rating
R

Content Advisory

• Strong drug use and addiction themes
• Graphic depictions of war violence
• Strong language
• Sexual content

Movie Story
“Cherry” follows the tumultuous journey of a young man (Tom Holland) as he navigates the harrowing realities of love, war, and addiction. The film begins with Cherry’s early years, where he meets Emily (Ciara Bravo), the love of his life. Their relationship quickly intensifies, but when Emily decides to leave for college, Cherry impulsively enlists in the army, a decision that will change the course of his life.

As a soldier in Iraq, Cherry experiences the brutal horrors of war, witnessing unspeakable violence and losing close comrades. The trauma from his time in the military leaves Cherry with severe PTSD, a condition that follows him home and worsens over time. Unable to cope with his memories, Cherry turns to drugs, leading him down a destructive path of heroin addiction.

In desperate need of money to support his drug habit, Cherry starts robbing banks, an act he justifies by his belief that society has abandoned him and others like him. His descent into crime isolates him from Emily, who also falls into addiction, and the two struggle to maintain their relationship amidst their mutual self-destruction. The story of “Cherry” is a raw and unflinching portrayal of the opioid epidemic and the struggles faced by veterans returning from war, highlighting the challenges of recovery and the devastating impact of addiction on both individuals and their loved ones.

Special Effects
The film uses stark visual effects to convey Cherry’s internal struggles, particularly during his wartime experiences. The depiction of PTSD is amplified by unsettling imagery and distorted reality scenes that help the audience feel the protagonist’s disorientation and trauma. The transitions between Cherry’s life phases are creatively handled, often blurring the line between reality and his mental state.

Box Office Performance
“Cherry” was released in a limited capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with most of its viewership coming from streaming services. While it did not achieve significant box office success, the film gained considerable attention on Apple TV+, sparking discussions on its portrayal of mental health and addiction.

Filming Locations

• Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Notable Quotes

• “Sometimes I feel like I’ve already seen everything that’s gonna happen.”
• “I’m 23 years old and I still don’t know what I’m doing.”

Behind-the-Scenes
The Russo brothers took a deeply personal approach to directing “Cherry,” influenced by the opioid crisis they observed in their hometown of Cleveland. Tom Holland underwent significant physical transformation for the role, losing weight to convincingly portray Cherry’s descent into addiction. The film’s narrative structure is divided into six chapters, each reflecting a different stage of Cherry’s life, mirroring the episodic nature of the novel on which it is based.

Awards

• Nominated for Hollywood Critics Association Midseason Awards: Best Actor (Tom Holland)
• Nominated for Golden Reel Awards: Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing

Final Verdict
“Cherry” is a powerful, if sometimes uneven, exploration of the effects of war and addiction on a young man’s life. Tom Holland delivers a gripping performance, showing his range beyond his well-known superhero roles. While the film’s intense subject matter may not be for everyone, it offers a brutally honest depiction of the struggles faced by many veterans and addicts, making it a significant, if disturbing, watch.

IMDb Rating
6.6/10