On the Count of Three (2022)

May 13, 2022 (US) • Comedy, Crime, Drama • 86m

Overview

Val has reached a place where he feels the only way out is to end things. But he considers himself a bit of a failure—his effectiveness lacking—so he figures he could use some help. As luck would have it, Val’s best friend, Kevin, is recovering from a failed suicide attempt, so he seems like the perfect partner for executing this double suicide plan. But before they go, they have some unfinished business to attend to.

Director

Jerrod Carmichael

Writers

Ari Katcher, Ryan Welch

Top Billed

Jerrod Carmichael

Keywords

depression suicide suicide attempt gun abusive father dark comedy childhood trauma bromance suicide pact wonder dramatic depressing pessimistic

Where to watch

Free / Included

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video with Ads

Rent

Buy

Top Billed Cast

Jerrod Carmichael

Val

Christopher Abbott

Kevin

Tiffany Haddish

Natasha

Lavell Crawford

Donny

JB Smoove

Lyndell

Henry Winkler

Dr. Brenner

Ryan McDonald

Brian

Allison Busner

Leah

Jamie Mac

Todd

Tori Hammond

Lori

Jared Abrahamson

Wyatt

Zachary Aiello

Andre

Sydney Van Delft

Beth

Huy Hao Tran

Janitor

Matthew Gorman

Dennis

Craig Arnold

Eddie

Clyde Whitham

Mr. Ritchie

Richard Anderson

Security Guard

Sharon Forrester

Nurse

David Thompson

Police Officer

Derrick Reeve

Jimmy

Yeva Light

Addison

Emma Gray

Girl Motocross Employee

Gryffin Hanvelt

Young Kevin

Avelyn Graye

Meth Head Woman

Jordan Blais

Police Officer (uncredited)

Dan Day

Gun Range Expert (uncredited)

Jen Julien

Psychiatric Care Patient (uncredited)

Sarah McArdle

Mental Health Worker (uncredited)

Darcy Ryan Langille

Police Officer (uncredited)

Chelsea Woods

Police Officer (uncredited)

Crew

Jodie Rice

Art Direction

Ari Katcher

Writer

Ryan Welch

Writer

Rob Lowry

Music Supervisor

Jon Harris

Associate Producer

Marisol Roncali

Casting Director

Owen Pallett

Original Music Composer

Mike Roberts

Executive Producer

Jerrod Carmichael

Producer

Jack Parker

Co-Producer

Chelsea Ellis Bloch

Casting Director

Megan Ellison

Executive Producer

Brian Bowles

Dialogue Editor

Robert Lugo

Hair Department Head

Brian Bowles

ADR Editor

Chris Chae

Sound Re-Recording Mixer

Alex Noble

Visual Effects Supervisor

Ashley Dawn Szabadi

Makeup Department Head

Christina Samuels

Key Makeup Artist

Pete Dakich

Executive Producer

Jessica Awad

Hair Department Head

Corey Hibbert

Stunt Double

Jerrod Carmichael

Director

Marshall Adams

Director of Photography

Tom Eagles

Editor

Stephanie Burbano

Set Decoration

Garren Dunbar

Production Design

Jimmy Price

Producer

Jennifer Stroud

Costume Design

Josh Senior

Co-Producer

Adam Paulsen

Producer

Ryan Welch

Executive Producer

Zebah Pinkham

Art Direction

Christopher Storer

Executive Producer

Tom Werner

Producer

Ari Katcher

Producer

Tyson Bidner

Executive Producer

David Carrico

Producer

Jake Densen

Producer

Shane Boucher

Line Producer

Joseph J. Gillanders

First Assistant Director

Christopher Place

Stunts

Christopher Zlomek

Set Dresser

Thomas John Rolfe

Grip

Sarah Hoke

Wardrobe Supervisor

Paul Pellerin

Props

Justin Pellingra

Leadman

Dulany Foster IV

Compositing Supervisor

Christopher C. Haines

Carpenter

Roxanne Landry

Graphic Designer

Tim Rousseau

Post Production Coordinator

Matthew Haasch

Foley Editor

William Mood

Construction Coordinator

Ruben Gloria

Visual Effects Producer

Allison Chesher

Wardrobe Supervisor

Bart Badzioch

Stunt Double

Jordan P.H. Stein

Online Editor

Shawna Steele

Second Assistant Director

Kyle Amell

Grip

Albert Camicioli

Still Photographer

Sam Daley

Colorist

Emily Campbell

Location Manager

Abbey Chapman

Third Assistant Director

Eric Neill

Electrician

Kimi Hay

Casting Associate

Iwan Fay-Fright

Assistant Costume Designer

Christian Belisle

On Set Dresser

Chris Chae

Supervising Sound Editor

Caelan Benn

Second Assistant Camera

Shawn Kazda

Key Grip

Jordan Slater

Lighting Technician

Andrew Freedman

First Assistant Editor

Joey Gunn

Carpenter

Chad Knorr

Stunt Driver

Caleb William Haines

Carpenter

Kyle W. Brown

Stunt Double

Alain Moussi

Stunt Coordinator

Aaron Fuoco

Best Boy Electric

David Rajsic

Best Boy Grip

Tara Burr

Assistant Set Dresser

Sean Kulak

Carpenter

Matthew Goudie

Casting Associate

Ron Evenden Jr.

Carpenter

Jay Peck

Foley Artist

Julien Desormeaux

Boom Operator

Vico Sharabani

Visual Effects Supervisor

Michael McPherson

Second Assistant Camera

Nina Bains

Location Manager

Jessica Hische

Title Designer

Damon Hahn

Set Dresser

Reviews

Manuel São Bento

⭐ 8/10

January 30, 2021

If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @
https://www.msbreviews.com

Even though On the Count of Three isn’t exactly a comedy or a light film based on a silly premise (How It Ends), I did expect humor to play a big part. In this regard, I wasn’t disappointed. Christopher Abbott (Possessor) is particularly funny with all his self-debates about taboo matters such as racism and general discrimination, but there are several meaningful messages “hidden” in the seemingly comedic scenes. Let me also praise Jerrod Carmichael for his grounded, emotionally compelling display and for his terrific directing. The actors share impeccable chemistry and transform a supposedly close friendship into something really authentic.

Val (Carmichael) and Kevin (Abbott) are incredibly relatable, which could make a movie about committing double suicide a bit dangerous. The screenplay from Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch is carefully written in a way that clearly demonstrates how different people deal with depression, sadness, stress, and so many other aspects in life that bring people down. Fortunately, these characters are built and developed in such a rich, enlightening manner that the ending - while shocking in its essence - works beautifully as a message that life is worth living no matter how tough it might be. This might be a confusing statement to write for people who have already seen the film, but it all has to do with the care that the viewers gain for the protagonists.

The first act puts them at equal standpoints regarding suicide, but throughout the runtime, it’s shown to the audience what happened in each of their lives. It’s the subtle conversations, the apparently insignificant jokes here and there that ultimately turn the climax so emotionally effective. The best compliment I can offer this movie is that the ending - despite being somewhat expected - clearly transmits to the public what’s right and wrong. Technically, exceptional camera work from Marshall Adams (beautiful long takes) and an amazing score from Owen Pallett elevate the overall picture. I wish the characters could have been more explored, but having in mind the short runtime, it’s truly a great piece of filmmaking.

On the Count of Three is one of those films I know I’ll undoubtedly rewatch more than just a couple of times. Boasting two phenomenal performances from Christopher Abbott and Jerrod Carmichael (also the director), the genuine chemistry between the two actors elevate a close friendship into something that makes the viewers deeply care about their fate. Tremendous praise to Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch’s screenplay, which is definitely the element that makes this movie one of the best I’ve seen this year. By writing it with extreme care and responsibility, the predictable yet impactful ending doesn’t leave a margin for doubts about what’s right or wrong. Everyone deals with the bad moments in life differently, but life is always worth living. I felt emotionally invested in the main characters to the point of wishing the film was longer so that the writers could dive deep into these protagonists. Technical shoutouts to the impressive camera work and remarkable score. In the end, I couldn’t recommend it more.

Rating: A-

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Louisa Moore - Screen Zealots

⭐ 8/10

March 9, 2021

A suicide pact between two friends sets the tone of the dramedy “On the Count of Three,” directed by Jerrod Carmichael. If a murder-suicide doesn’t sound like your idea of a good time, never fear. Carmichael adds just enough dark humor and heart to this tragic bromance to give his violent tale a wonderfully original voice.

Val (Carmichael) feels like a helpless and hopeless failure. He just backed out of proposing to his pregnant girlfriend (Tiffany Haddish), and a lame promotion at his boring job has pushed him over the edge. He’s ready to end it all, but not without the help of his equally depressed best friend from childhood, Kevin (Christopher Abbott), who is currently undergoing treatment in a mental facility after his own failed suicide attempt. Vale goes to visit Kevin and ends up breaking him out for the day. Soon after, he flashes a duffel bag stuffed with a pair of loaded guns and pitches a plan for the two to shoot each other in the face when night falls.

It’s a gloomy premise for sure, but at the heart of the film is a solid story of friendship. Kevin and Val are (quite literally) ride or die buddies who have a genuine admiration for each other. They spend time deciding what to do on their last day on Earth and, since they aren’t going to see tomorrow, they settle on living the rest of the day enjoying the fact that they’ll face no consequences for their actions. This gives Kevin the idea to pay a visit to a therapist (Henry Winkler) who abused him as a child so he can finally settle some unfinished business. Ready to once again experience the joys of living for only a brief moment, the best friends become a couple of suicidal vigilantes who make the most of spending one last day, together.

Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch‘s screenplay features whip-smart writing and memorable dialogue, which incorporates nuggets of street-wise wisdom with just the right amount of nuanced empathy for their characters. I have fallen head-over-heels in love with their writing after seeing this film. The story could’ve gone South very quickly, but it works on so many levels. Val and Kevin aren’t portrayed as sad losers, but as two men who grow to appreciate their last few hours of existence. Their relationship and discussions feel genuine.

“On the Count of Three” is a little rough around the edges, but Carmichael displays a lot of confidence in his directorial debut. This is the type of film that will stick with me for a while.

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andrialynn

⭐ 8/10

March 9, 2021

My favorite from sundance. Great direction and a really funny script. This is exactly my type of humor so it worked for me most of the time. The performances are great, Christopher Abbott's still a Sundance darling. My only gripes with this film is the technical aspects of the script. It tries to balance multiple different tones at once. It was working for me at first, but it starting to get really irritating. The final 20 minutes don't even feel… read the rest.

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On the Count of Three (2022)

Ari Katcher, Ryan Welch

Where to watch

Top Billed Cast

Crew

Reviews

Manuel São Bento

Louisa Moore - Screen Zealots

andrialynn

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