LOS ANGELES — Cody Fern’s feature directorial debut Closing Night, starring Sarah Paulson and Naomi Watts, has drawn mixed reviews following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The film centers on a celebrated actress confronting a dark family secret during a personal and professional crisis. Dianne Wiest, Toby Wallace, and Odessa A’zion round out the ensemble. Critics have praised the lead performances while noting tonal inconsistencies in the screenplay.
Strong Performances, Mixed Results
Paulson and Watts deliver committed work, but several reviews describe the melodrama as struggling to find a consistent tone between archness and genuine emotion.
Sarah Paulson and Naomi Watts lead Cody Fern’s Closing Night to mixed TIFF reviews that highlight the cast over the script.
Aditya Shaw covers entertainment for Vervado.
