Separation (2021 film)

Separation

Company type	Film
Industry	Film
Founded	2021 (2021)
Founder	William Brent Bell (director), Nick Amadeus and Josh Braun (screenwriters)
Products	Supernatural horror film
Parent	Open Road Films, Briarcliff Entertainment

Separation is a 2021 American supernatural horror film helmed by director William Brent Bell, with a screenplay penned by Nick Amadeus and Josh Braun. The cast features Rupert Friend, Mamie Gummer, Madeline Brewer, Violet McGraw, Simon Quarterman, and Brian Cox. The narrative follows a father who, after the sudden death of his estranged wife—who had initiated divorce proceedings—must care for their daughter while confronting a sinister supernatural presence.

Distributed by Open Road Films and Briarcliff Entertainment, Separation premiered on April 30, 2021. Critical reception was largely unfavorable.

Plot

Jeff Vahn, an illustrator, is navigating the challenges of divorce from Maggie, who is pursuing full custody of their daughter Jenny. Amid professional struggles and custody conflicts, Jeff and Maggie engage in a heated dispute shortly before Maggie is fatally struck in a hit and run incident.

Following Maggie’s funeral, her father Paul Rivers intends to challenge Jeff for custody of Jenny. The child descends into depression and begins exhibiting unusual conduct. Jeff secures modest employment at a comic book company and hires Samantha Nally, Jenny’s babysitter, as a full-time caregiver.

Supernatural disturbances plague Jeff’s home; he endures nightmares and sketches frightening entities seemingly connected to the hauntings. He suspects that Maggie’s spirit is enacting vengeance.

After Jenny suffers an allergic reaction to food, Jeff consents to relocate nearer to Paul. They settle the custody matter without conflict, and Jeff attains a promotion at work. However, a private investigator uncovers Samantha as Maggie’s murderer. Samantha attempts to push Paul from a second-floor window but he survives the fall.

Samantha admits her affection for Jeff and confesses to killing Maggie and poisoning Jenny in order to become closer to him. Jeff comes to understand that Maggie’s ghost commands the spirits seeking retribution against Samantha. Maggie’s spirit kills Samantha before rescuing Jenny and Jeff as they tumble from the attic window. As Maggie’s apparition fades, emergency responders arrive at the scene.

Production

In October 2018, Rupert Friend was confirmed as the lead in the project directed by William Brent Bell, based on a script by Nick Amadeus and Josh Braun. The production team included Bell alongside Jordan Yale Levine, Jordan Beckerman, Russ Posternak, Jesse Korman, Clay Pecorin, and Russell Geyser through Yale Productions and RainMaker Films. By November 2018, Mamie Gummer, Madeline Brewer, Brian Cox, and Violet McGraw had joined the ensemble.

By early 2020, the film was undergoing its final post-production phase.

Release

Open Road Films and Briarcliff Entertainment secured distribution rights in March 2021, initially targeting an April 23 release date; this was subsequently postponed to April 30, 2021.

Box office

During its opening weekend across 1,751 theaters, the film grossed $1.8 million, placing fourth in box office rankings. Its earnings declined by 40% in the second weekend to $1.1 million, dropping to sixth place.

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, Separation holds a 7% approval rating, with reviewers describing it as a dull divorce drama disguised as a horror movie. Audience feedback via PostTrak indicated 42% positive ratings with only 27% offering strong recommendations.

Nick Schager of Variety criticized the film for its uninspired plot and perceived misogyny, pointing out weak writing and performances. Frank Scheck from The Hollywood Reporter acknowledged an intriguing premise but noted it deteriorates into predictable genre tropes. A. A. Dowd of The A.V. Club assigned it a D grade, labeling it an ineffective blend of thriller and domestic drama. Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com gave it zero out of four stars, condemning it as unsuccessful in both genres and notably misogynistic.