To be a hero, it takes a lot of gut.|May. 25, 2023|USA|112 Min.|R
Genre: Action;Comedy;Crime
Description: The Machine is a 2023 American action-comedy film directed by Peter Atencio, inspired by Bert Kreischer’s 2016 stand-up routine of the same name. The movie features Kreischer playing a fictionalized version of himself, alongside a cast including Mark Hamill, Jimmy Tatro, Iva Babić, Stephanie Kurtzuba, and Jessica Gabor. Following the viral popularity of Kreischer’s stand-up, Legendary Entertainment secured the rights to adapt his true story into a feature film in September 2018. Principal casting took place between April and June 2021, with filming commencing in Serbia in April 2021 under Balkanic Media. The film was released in the United States on May 26, 2023, by Sony Pictures Releasing, though it received largely negative reviews from critics.
The story begins in 1999, during college freshman Bert Kreischer’s trip to Russia. After a night of heavy partying, Bert befriends a tour guide named Igor and his friends, earning the nickname “The Machine” and becoming a legend in Russian folklore. Twenty-three years later, Bert is now a successful stand-up comedian and podcaster, having turned his experiences into a viral comedy special. However, his personal life is strained, with tensions between him, his wife, and his older daughter, Sasha. During a family cookout, Bert unexpectedly reunites with his estranged father, Albert, despite their troubled relationship.
Bert’s life takes a dramatic turn when he is confronted by Irina, a Russian mobster. It is revealed that Bert unintentionally stole an antique pocket watch belonging to Irina’s father, an event that led to the creation of a powerful organized crime syndicate. Seeking retribution, Irina kidnaps Bert and his father, taking them to Russia to face the consequences of his past actions.
The film’s development began in September 2019 when Legendary Entertainment acquired the rights to adapt Kreischer’s stand-up routine. Peter Atencio was brought on board as director and producer in April 2021, collaborating with Kreischer and Judi Marmel. The screenplay was written by Kevin Biegel and Scotty Landes, with Joseph Trapanese composing the original score.
Cast director: Peter Atencio
Cast actor: Bert Kreischer, Mark Hamill, Jimmy Tatro, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Nikola Đuričko, Iva Babić, Martyn Ford, Robert Maaser, Jessica Gabor, Rita Bernard-Shaw
Original name: The Machine