Molli and Max in the Future

Molli and Max in the Future is a 2023 American science fiction romantic comedy film written and directed by Michael Lukk Litwak in their debut feature film, and stars Zosia Mamet and Aristotle Athari. It premiered at South by Southwest on March 11, 2023, and was released in select theaters in the United States on February 9, 2024, by Level 33 Entertainment.

Molli and Max in the Future
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Michael Lukk Litwak
Written by	Michael Lukk Litwak
Produced by	Ben J. Murphy Candice Kuwahara Michael Lukk Litwak Mallory Schwartz Kate Geller
Starring	Zosia Mamet Aristotle Athari
Cinematography	Zach Stoltzfus
Edited by	Joanna Naugle
Music by	Alex Winkler
Production companies	Whiskey Bear Productions The Family Choreografx DVRG Senior Post
Distributed by	Level 33 Entertainment
Release dates	March 11, 2023 (2023-03-11) (SXSW) February 9, 2024 (2024-02-09) (United States)
Running time	93 minutes[1]
Country	United States
Language	English

Synopsis

A billion years in the future, magic, sentient robots, and demigods exist. Meanwhile, Molli and Max bump into each other across the course of twelve years, four planets, three dimensions, and one space cult. One of them is able to fly, while the other is half-human/half-fish.^[2][3]

Cast

• Zosia Mamet as Molli
• Aristotle Athari as Max
• Arturo Castro as Walter
• Michael Chernus as Turboschmuk
• Aparna Nancherla as Rachel
• Okieriete Onaodowan as Moebias
• Paloma Garcia-Lee as Cassie
• Erin Darke as MAR14
• Grace Kuhlenschmidt as Triangulon
• Matteo Lane as Bryan
• Danny Burstein as Max's dad
• Connie Shi as Janus
• Ben Warheit as @FartJuice69

Production

Writer and director Michael Lukk Litwak described the project as an attempt to update a movie classic, saying "When Harry Met Sally…is a masterpiece and I love it, but I watched it and it felt kind of out of date".^[4] The film is a Whiskey Bear Production in association with Senior Post, The Family, and Choreografx. Producers are Ben J. Murphy, Candice Kuwahara, Mallory Schwartz, Litwak and Kate Geller. Co-producing the film are Ted Geoghegan and Ivy Lam, with Mamet and Athari also executive producing alongside Josh Senior, Jeanne Elfant Festa, Luke Murphy, and Nicole Murphy.^[5]

Filming

Filming took place in New York City.^[5] Principal photography wrapped in August 2022.^[6]

Release

The film had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 11, 2023.^[7][8] It was released in select theaters in the United States on February 9, 2024, by Level 33 Entertainment.^[9]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, Molli and Max in the Future holds an approval rating of 98% based on 41 reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10. The website's critic consensus reads, "More than making up in style and sheer creativity whatever it might lack in terms of budget, Molli and Max in the Future blends sci-fi and rom-com to wildly entertaining effect."^[10] Brian Tallerico, writing for RogerEbert.com, said its "creative spirit carries it through some rough narrative patches and is complemented by truly charming performances from its two leads".^[11] William Earl for Variety praised the "super-realistic dialogue" and Alex Winkler's "jazzy score", describing the film as "a clever, quirky take on the future".^[12]

References

1. "Molli and Max in the Future". South by Southwest. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
2. Cooper, Brenna (April 3, 2023). "Flight Attendant star's new movie lands 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
3. Elfadl, Murtada (March 31, 2023). "'Molli and Max in the Future' Review: Zosia Mamet and Aristotle Athari Have Great Chemistry in Lean Future-Set Rom-Com". Variety. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
4. Fleming, Ryan (March 17, 2023). "'Molli And Max In The Future' Writer-Director Michael Lukk Litwak & Cast On A Modern Love Story Focused On "How We Define Ourselves"". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
5. Goldbart, Max (August 12, 2022). "The Flight Attendant's Zosia Mamet & 'SNL's Aristotle Athari Lead Sci-Fi Romcom 'Molli & Max In The Future'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 5, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
6. Watson, Madalyn (August 12, 2023). "Zosia Mamet and Aristotle Athari Fall in Love in First 'Molli & Max in the Future' Image". Collider. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
7. Galuppo, Mia (February 1, 2023). "SXSW Sets Donald Glover Show 'Swarm', Apple 'Tetris' Movie for Lineup". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
8. Kay, Jeremy (February 1, 2023). "'Tetris', 'Bottoms' among SXSW second wave". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
9. Billington, Alex (January 17, 2024). "First Trailer for Sci-Fi Romantic Comedy 'Molli and Max in the Future'". FirstShowing.net. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
10. "Molli and Max in the Future". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
11. Tallerico, Brian (March 13, 2023). "SXSW 2023: National Anthem, Molli and Max in the Future, Northern Comfort". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
12. Earl, William (April 2, 2023). "Molli and Max in the Future". Variety. Retrieved April 4, 2023.

External links

• Molli and Max in the Future at IMDb