After flirting with obsolescence in the late 2000s, writer/director Paul Schrader has been experiencing something of a career renaissance. His original screenplay for 2017’s “First Reformed” was nominated for an Academy Award, and his 2022 follow-up “The Card Counter” appeared in numerous critics’ annual “best of” lists. Now, the acclaimed filmmaker’s momentum will be tested once again with the arrival of his latest opus “Master Gardener.” Here’s the indie crime thriller’s official synopsis:
“Narvel Roth is the meticulous horticulturist of Gracewood Gardens, a beautiful estate owned by wealthy dowager Mrs. Haverhill. When she orders Roth to take on her troubled great-niece Maya as his apprentice, his life is thrown into chaos and dark secrets from his past emerge.”
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“Master Gardener” stars Joel Edgerton as the titular horticulturist, while Sigourney Weaver portrays the wealthy Mrs. Haverhill. Edgerton recently appeared in Ron Howard’s “Thirteen Lives” as well as the Disney+ series “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” Weaver, meanwhile, recently appeared in James Cameron’s highly profitable “Avatar: The Way of Water.” She also serves as the star and executive producer of an upcoming Amazon Prime limited series called “The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart,” based on the best-selling novel.
Rounding out the main cast of “Master Gardener” is Quintessa Swindell as Maya, Haverhill’s troubled great-niece. The role was reportedly first offered to “Euphoria” star Zendaya before salary disputes led to Schrader’s casting Swindell instead. Esai Morales, of “La Bamba” fame, also appears.
The film is set to debut in theaters on May 19. Take a look at the trailer below: