A troubled insomniac and an enigmatic French tourist navigate the dark corners of New York City, where the shadows cast by the streets echo the struggles within.
In Pratfall, writer-director Alex Andre crafts a uniquely atmospheric debut, centering on Eli, a deeply troubled insomniac whose nights in New York have turned into an endless loop of coffee-fueled wandering and introspection. Eli, played by Joshua Burge in one of his finest roles to date, encounters Joelle (Chloe Groussard), a stranded French tourist, in Central Park. Joelle’s optimistic curiosity and Eli’s dark view of the city clash as she convinces him to be her guide, and the two embark on a restless night tour of New York that’s as much a journey through Eli’s psyche as it is a sightseeing trip.
In Pratfall, Alex Andre portrays New York as a character in itself, casting a brooding, at times melancholic shadow over this modern urban tale. His direction, complemented by the work of an exceptional visual team, captures New York’s haunting beauty in a way that draws immediate comparisons to Woody Allen’s Manhattan, yet veers into the surreal territory of Chaplin’s City Lights. Andre’s cinematography emphasizes mood and texture, using light and shadow to create a city that feels both intimate and indifferent, a labyrinth of secrets waiting to be revealed.
Joshua Burge’s Eli is magnetic—a man so withdrawn into his own grief that he blends seamlessly into the city’s shadowy architecture. Burge’s portrayal finds the nuance in Eli’s despair, delivering a performance that anchors the film’s somber tone. Chloe Groussard’s Joelle, on the other hand, offers a lighter counterbalance, her outsider’s wonder and relentless curiosity adding levity to the darkness of Eli’s world. Together, they create a fascinating dynamic, their chemistry sparking an unexpected, poignant warmth amid the starkness of the New York night.
Andre’s direction gives Pratfall a timeless quality, each frame imbued with an almost tangible atmosphere that pulls viewers into the sleepless, somber rhythms of the city. His knack for blending gritty realism with poetic storytelling lends the film a unique allure, ensuring that every scene pulses with an understated tension.
Awarded the Best Feature Spirit Award at the Brooklyn Film Festival and Best Actress for Groussard’s debut at the Manchester Film Festival, Pratfall stands out as a bold entry into the genre of modern urban drama. Andre has crafted a film that feels both intensely personal and universally resonant, exploring themes of loneliness, resilience, and the quiet connections that remind us of our humanity.
Pratfall is a visually captivating and deeply affecting exploration of New York’s nocturnal side, blending gritty storytelling with an unforgettable atmosphere. Alex Andre’s debut makes a lasting impression, marking him as a filmmaker to watch.
- Genre: Drama
- Runtime: 108 minutes
- Writer/Director: Alex Andre
Cast:
- Joshua Burge as Eli
- Chloe Groussard as Joelle
- Xavier Reyes as Gio
Awards:
- Best Feature Spirit Award, 2023 Brooklyn Film Festival
- Best Actress, Manchester Film Festival 2024
"A breathtaking debut, Pratfall blends realism and lyricism to reveal a city that’s as brutal as it is beautiful." — Gazettel
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