What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. That’s a saying that applies to many instances throughout life. And in the film industry, it’s even more appropriate. All it takes is for one film, actor, studio, or some other Hollywood figure to blaze a trail in some way before the rest of the industry follows suit. In the case of Oscar hopefuls from streaming services, it would appear that Netflix blazed a trail with “Roma” that is going to affect the industry in major ways, as Amazon is now following its streaming brethren’s lead.
According to Variety, Amazon has decided to release it’s Oscar hopeful, “The Report,” in theaters on September 27. What makes this more interesting is the fact that Amazon will then release the film on its Prime Video streaming service a mere two weeks later, on October 11. This is the strategy that has paid off for Netflix, who did this numerous times over the last year, with “Roma” going on to earn Oscar love come awards season.
“The Report” is the latest film from writer-director Scott Z. Burns and stars Adam Driver and Annette Bening. The film follows a Senate staffer that begins an investigation into the CIA’s use of torture methods and is based on a true story. “The Report” premiered at this year’s Sundance, instantly becoming one of the standouts of the festival. It was quickly snatched up by Amazon, with many believing that the company would release the film in its typical method, with a typical theatrical run followed by streaming.
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However, even though Amazon is going to continue to play “The Report” in theaters after its premiere on Prime Video, it’s clear that many fans will opt to watch the film at home instead of shelling out money for tickets. Why is Amazon leaving money on the table and hampering its theatrical odds? Likely, the company sees this as an opportunity to increase visibility on its streaming platform with a film that is likely going to have a lot of buzz in the fall. Also, Netflix did it, and it seemed to work out pretty well for the streamer.
As mentioned, “The Report” will arrive in select theaters on September 27 and Prime Video on October 11.