Above Suspicion
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPhillip Noyce
Screenplay byChris Gerolmo
Based onAbove Suspicion
1993 novel
by Joe Sharkey
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyElliot Davis
Edited byMartin Nicholson
Music byDickon Hinchliffe
Production
companies
Distributed byLionsgate
Release dates
  • June 20, 2019 (2019-06-20) (United Arab Emirates)
  • May 7, 2021 (2021-05-07) (United States)
Running time
104 minutes[1][2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$25,396[1]

Above Suspicion is a 2019 American crime thriller film directed by Phillip Noyce, from a screenplay by Chris Gerolmo, based upon Joe Sharkey's non-fiction book of the same name revolving around the murder of Susan Smith. It stars Emilia Clarke, Jack Huston, Sophie Lowe, Austin Hébert, Karl Glusman, Chris Mulkey, Omar Miller, Kevin Dunn, Thora Birch and Johnny Knoxville.

It was released in the United States on May 7, 2021, by Lionsgate.

Plot

Susan Daniels sat quietly on the worn out couch of her run-down trailer in Pikeville, Kentucky. She rubbed her hands nervously together, ignoring the sharp glances from her abusive boyfriend, Cash. She watched her two young daughters play with broken toys on the dirty floor, their innocence a stark contrast to the chaos that surrounded them. But despite her circumstances, Susan still held onto her dreams. She longed to make it big in Hollywood as an actress, to escape the small town life and start anew. She was a vibrant and ambitious young woman, determined to make something of herself despite the odds stacked against her. However, her dreams seemed to dim with each passing day. Her addiction to drugs had taken over her life, leaving her in a constant haze of desperation and despair. And with Cash controlling every aspect of her life, her dreams seemed further and further out of reach.

But things took a strange turn when Susan's husband, Mark Putnam, entered the trailer. He was an undercover FBI rookie agent who had been assigned to the field office in Pikeville. Susan had met him before she had met Cash, and they had had a secret affair. Their past relationship added a layer of complexity to the investigation as Mark was now assigned to recruit Susan as his informant on a high-profile case. As the investigation into the case progressed, it delved into the inner workings of the FBI and the techniques used to solve criminal cases. From wiretapping to surveillance, the author provided an inside look at the tools and strategies employed by the agency.

During this time that Cash met Randy McCoy, a fellow drug addiction who had ambitions of his own. They quickly struck up a friendship, and Randy became a regular at the trailer, much to Cash's displeasure. But the real betrayal came when it was revealed that Mark Putnam had been collaborating with his confidential informant, Jamie Billups, for his own personal gain. Their relationship was explored in detail, shedding light on the complex dynamics between law enforcement and their informants.

The investigation also revealed the small-town dynamics of Lexington. Rumors and gossip played a significant role in the case, and the close-knit community became both a hindrance and a benefit to the detectives working tirelessly to solve Susan's murder. But as the case unfolded, it also shed light on deep-rooted issues of race and class. The stark disparities in the treatment of suspects in the criminal justice system were highlighted, and the impact it had on the investigation and the fairness of the legal process.

The boiled down to the personal and professional costs of seeking the truth. As Mark Putnam faced the consequences of his actions, the treacherous journey on the ground was a perilous expedition were forced to consider the moral dilemmas faced by individuals involved in law enforcement. As for Susan's dreams of making it big in Hollywood, they were never realized. But her story served as a reminder of the hopes and aspirations of many young people, and the harsh reality of how easily they can be derailed.

Cast

Production

Thora Birch as Jolene on set

The film was announced during the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. Philip Noyce was set as director, with Emilia Clarke and Jack Huston cast as the film's two main leads.[3][4] The production began filming in Lexington, Kentucky on May 24, 2016.[5] Omar Benson Miller was cast on May 25, 2016,[6] with May 27 seeing the additions of Thora Birch and Johnny Knoxville to the cast, alongside numerous other supporting actors.[7] Filming took place in central and eastern Kentucky – in Lexington in Fayette County, and in Bourbon and Harlan counties – in 2016.[8][9]

Release

It was first released in the United Arab Emirates on June 20, 2019.[1] Its theatrical release in the United States and on VOD was on May 7, 2021 by Lionsgate.[2][10]

Reception

Box office

Above Suspicion grossed a worldwide total of $25,396.[1]

Critical response

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 25% based on 40 reviews, with an average rating of 4.5/10.[10] On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 46 out of 100, based on nine critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[11]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Above Suspicion (2020)". Box Office Mojo. IMDbPro. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Above Suspicion (2021) - Financial Information". The Numbers. The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Cannes: Emilia Clarke, Jack Huston to Star in Thriller 'Above Suspicion'". The Hollywood Reporter. May 3, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  4. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (May 3, 2016). "Jack Huston & Emilia Clarke To Star In Phillip Noyce's 'Above Suspicion' – Cannes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Film "Above Suspicion" seeking paid extras in Kentucky". WYMT-TV. May 16, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  6. ↑ Busch, Anita (May 25, 2016). "Omar Miller Joins 'Above Suspicion'; Rooster Teeth Kickstarts Another $1M; 'The Last Gold' Swims With Tugg". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
  7. ↑ Busch, Anita (May 27, 2016). "Thora Birch, Johnny Knoxville Join Phillip Noyce's 'Above Suspicion'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
  8. ↑ "'Above Suspicion' movie based on Ky. crime to be released". Lexington Herald Leader. April 5, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  9. ↑ Forbes, Buddy (May 19, 2021). "'It's a woman who lost her life': Pike County murder hits movie screens". WYMT-TV. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  10. 1 2 "Above Suspicion (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Above Suspicion Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
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