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Quitters

Quitters is a coming-of-age comedy-drama film written by Noah Pritzker and Ben Tarnoff and directed by Noah Pritzker in his feature directorial debut. The film follows Clark Rayman, a privileged high school student whose family unravels when his mother enters rehabilitation for drug addiction following a car accident, prompting him to rebel against his distant father by moving in with a classmate and embarking on a path of self-discovery marked by romance, friendship, and moral challenges. Starring Ben Konigsberg as Clark, alongside as his mother, as his father, as his love interest Etta, and supporting roles by , , and , Quitters explores themes of family dysfunction, adolescent angst, and the search for belonging. Produced by Ben Howe and Luca Borghese under Really Good Guys Productions in association with AgX Productions, the film premiered at the Film Festival on March 15, , and received a on July 22, 2016, with a runtime of 95 minutes and an for , , and drug use. Critically, it garnered mixed reviews, praised for its energetic performances—particularly Germann's—and stylish direction but criticized for an unlikeable protagonist and uneven tone, resulting in a 38% approval rating on based on eight reviews.

Plot and themes

Synopsis

Quitters is set in contemporary and centers on the family, a wealthy Jewish household grappling with internal discord. The story follows Clark , a precocious high , who lives with his pill-addicted mother, May, and his disengaged, marijuana-using father, . Early in the narrative, May crashes her car into a tree while with Clark as a passenger; Clark calls the police, leading to May's admission to rehab for dependency. Amid this chaos, the family's failing marriage shatters their stability. Rebelling against the impending dissolution of his home life, seeks independence by quitting the family and moving in with his , Natalia, and her more stable household. 's manipulative behaviors, including advances toward Natalia's mother that are rejected and stealing a from her drawer to initiate intimacy with Natalia, reveal his intrusive tendencies. Meanwhile, May begins a tentative entanglement with another during her rehab stay, while pursues his own separate relationships, further highlighting the parents' self-absorption and detachment from . As 's behavior spirals, he confronts his parents directly, expressing deep resentment toward in particular for his neglect. Tensions peak when 's attempts to forcibly retrieve from Natalia's home turn violent, prompting Natalia and her family to ask to leave due to his intrusive and manipulative actions. This climactic family intervention forces a reckoning, as May emerges from rehab and joins in addressing the fallout of their marital failures and 's rebellion. In the resolution, begins to exhibit signs of personal growth through self-reflection, leading to a tentative reconciliation with his parents as they attempt to rebuild their fractured bonds.

Themes

The film Quitters delves into the theme of family disintegration through the portrayal of the family's unraveling, where parental selfishness exacerbates emotional neglect and undermines the adolescent 's . 's mother, depicted as battling a prescription dependency that leads to a car crash and subsequent rehab, and his father, shown as a passive, ineffective figure unable to provide stability, create a marked by dysfunction and abandonment. This neglect prompts to emotionally detach and seek alternative families, highlighting how parental failures distort a teenager's of and belonging. Central to the narrative is the exploration of sexuality and exploitation, as Clark exploits relationships in response to this emotional void. After leaving home, Clark infiltrates the life of classmate Natalia, exploiting her affection through intimate encounters that reveal his manipulative tendencies, such as stealing a condom from her mother's drawer to initiate their relationship. These acts underscore Clark's use of intimacy not merely for connection but as a tool for control, reflecting the exploitative dynamics born from familial rejection while questioning his autonomy in such choices. Quitters critiques coming-of-age within a privileged context, illustrating how wealth in an affluent setting enables moral ambiguity and shields characters from consequences. As a member of a wealthy Jewish family, Clark's bright but entitled demeanor allows him to challenge authority—like demanding better grades from teachers—without immediate repercussions, critiquing how financial security fosters ethical laxity. The urban backdrop of amplifies this, with its progressive yet isolating environment contrasting the family's internal decay and imposing subtle cultural expectations of success tied to Jewish heritage, further complicating Clark's path to maturity. The film's moral ambiguity is conveyed through its tonal shifts between and , examining and in interpersonal dynamics. Clark emerges as a borderline sociopathic figure who takes what he wants , yet the dramedy structure invites viewers to grapple with his actions' nuances, such as the emotional brutality in his post-sex interactions with Natalia that blur lines of and . This pendulation avoids clear judgments, instead probing the ethical gray areas of amid privilege, where serves as both survival mechanism and .

Cast and characters

Principal cast

Ben Konigsberg stars as Clark Rayman, the film's teenage , a bright yet manipulative high schooler whose rebellious actions and underscore the unraveling of his family's privileged life in . His character's , centered on navigating parental neglect through cunning independence, propels the central exploration of youthful amid adult failures. Greg Germann portrays Roger Rayman, Clark's father, a reserved and impatient man whose self-absorbed behavior and extramarital affair exacerbate the household tensions. Through Roger's distant and judgmental interactions, the role illustrates how paternal shortcomings intensify the family's emotional fractures, driving conflicts that test intergenerational bonds. plays May Rayman, Clark's mother, a battling prescription addiction and the fallout from her husband's , marked by mood swings and personal turmoil. Her character's journey of confronting and seeking stability amid rehab contributes significantly to the family dynamic, highlighting maternal vulnerability and its ripple effects on her son.

Supporting cast

Kara Hayward portrays Etta, Clark's classmate and romantic interest, who serves as a confidante offering peer-level into his personal struggles. Morgan Turner plays Natalia, a close friend of Clark who provides a supportive family dynamic by allowing him to stay in her home, highlighting contrasts in stable versus dysfunctional households. Kieran Culkin appears as Mr. Becker, Clark's English teacher, who acts as an authoritative figure challenging the protagonist's intellect and schemes within the school environment. Additional minor roles include as Veronica, Natalia's mother, who facilitates Clark's temporary integration into a new household; and various unnamed clients and neighbors encountered during Clark's entrepreneurial ventures, such as those enabling his makeshift business operations with classmates. These peripheral characters underscore the broader social and ethical contexts surrounding the central without driving the primary conflicts.

Production

Development

The screenplay for Quitters was co-written by Noah Pritzker and Ben Tarnoff, who drew from their shared personal experiences growing up in San Francisco's affluent environment to explore themes of family dysfunction and . Their collaboration began as a concept that evolved into a full feature script, with initial drafts emphasizing manipulation as a survival mechanism for characters in privileged, upper-middle-class settings marked by entitlement and unspoken tensions. Pritzker workshopped the script during , incorporating feedback to refine its dialogue-heavy structure and character-driven focus on prickly, relatable figures navigating moral ambiguity. Marking Pritzker's directorial debut, the project's vision centered on blending and to portray complex family dynamics and coming-of-age challenges in a backdrop, inspired by the writers' observations of conservative prep school vibes amid personal upheaval. Producers Luca Borghese, through his company AgX, and Ben Howe, via Frederick & Ashbury, handled the initial production setup, providing independent financing for this low-key ensemble project alongside Pretty Moving Pictures. This phase culminated in key casting decisions, such as Ben Konigsberg in the lead role of Clark Rayman, paving the way for filming.

Filming

Principal photography for Quitters commenced on June 3, 2013, and took place primarily in , , USA, where the story is set. The production captured the city's diverse urban and suburban landscapes, including locations such as 923 Vermont Street, to highlight the contrasts between affluent family homes and the broader metropolitan environment. This choice of setting allowed the filmmakers to authentically portray the privileged yet dysfunctional world of the protagonists. Cinematographer Jakob Ihre, known for his work on , shot the film on a Red Epic camera, bringing an intimate visual style influenced by films like and . His approach emphasized close, personal shots that enhanced the emotional intensity and within interactions, contributing to the film's dynamic tone. In post-production, editor Beatrice Sisul managed the assembly of the 90-minute , focusing on seamless transitions between its comedic and dramatic sequences to maintain narrative momentum. provided the original score, drawing inspiration from his earlier work on to create a subtle, character-driven that underscored the story's themes of discord and personal . The faced logistical hurdles inherent to in a bustling city like , including coordinating permits for urban exteriors and interiors. Additionally, depicting sensitive subjects such as and drug use required meticulous oversight to protect the young cast, adhering to industry standards for age-appropriate sets, though formal intimacy coordinators were not yet standard practice in 2013.

Release

Premiere

Quitters had its world premiere on March 15, 2015, at the (SXSW) Film Festival in , competing in the Narrative Feature section. The event marked the film's debut to audiences and critics, showcasing director Noah Pritzker's exploration of family dysfunction and adolescent rebellion in an affluent setting. The SXSW screening drew attendance from key cast and crew, including lead actor Ben Konigsberg, who portrayed the protagonist Clark Rayman, and director Noah Pritzker, who participated in post-screening discussions. These sessions emphasized the film's independent production ethos and its unfiltered take on personal turmoil. Following SXSW, the film screened at additional festivals, including the on May 1, 2015, and the Chicago Critics Film Festival on May 4, 2015. Audience responses at these venues provided valuable feedback that influenced the film's approach, highlighting its provocative elements. Early festival reactions were mixed, with some praise for the 's energetic performances and stylish direction alongside criticism of its and uneven tone. This initial reception helped build anticipation ahead of its wider release.

Distribution

The had a limited U.S. theatrical debut on July 22, 2016, distributed by in select cities such as and . It received a simultaneous video-on-demand (VOD) release on platforms including and beginning the same day, broadening accessibility beyond theaters. As of November 2025, the film is available for streaming on platforms such as (with ads) and . Internationally, Quitters saw limited releases in 2016 and 2017 through independent channels in countries including , (in ), , and the , without a major wide push. Marketing efforts featured a theatrical and trailer highlighting the coming-of-age drama narrative, alongside campaigns aimed at young adults; the film runs 94 minutes.

Reception

Critical response

Quitters received mixed reviews from critics, with aggregate scores reflecting a divided reception. On , the film holds a 38% approval rating based on 8 reviews, with an average score of 5.1/10. On , it scores 51 out of 100, indicating "mixed or average" reviews from 5 critics. Critics praised Pritzker's sensitive direction in capturing the nuances of teenage , noting his ability to create a real and touching portrayal of adolescent turmoil. The young cast, particularly Ben Konigsberg's debut performance as the protagonist Clark Rayman, was highlighted for its fearlessness and authenticity, avoiding pleas for sympathy while embodying a complex, unsympathetic character. Reviewers appreciated the film's honest depiction of teen struggles, with one describing it as a "keenly observed" exploration of schoolyard and family dysfunction. However, common criticisms focused on the film's uneven tone, struggling to balance and , which resulted in a languid and sometimes joyless experience. characters were often seen as underdeveloped, serving more as foils to the protagonist's disruptiveness rather than fully realized figures, with one review noting the story's emphasis on "adults acting like children." The lead character was frequently called insufferable and borderline sociopathic, making engagement difficult; as Joe Leydon wrote in , "An insufferable lead character makes the going rough in Noah Pritzker's fitfully amusing dramedy." The critic consensus encapsulates this sentiment: "Quitters has more style than substance, but it's a cut above most."

Box office and home media

Quitters received a limited theatrical release in the United States on July 22, 2016, through . No official domestic or international gross figures have been reported, consistent with the challenges faced by many films in achieving wide theatrical distribution. The film's primary commercial success derived from video-on-demand (VOD) and digital platforms shortly after its debut, capitalizing on festival exposure rather than traditional earnings. Home media distribution focused on digital formats, with the film available for rent or purchase on platforms such as , , and . Physical releases on DVD or Blu-ray were not documented in major retail or database records. As of 2025, Quitters remains accessible via streaming on ad-supported services including (with ads), , and , contributing to its ongoing but niche availability. The film's long-term commercial impact has been modest, sustained primarily through streaming rather than major re-releases or significant ancillary sales, reflecting its limited initial distribution scope.

References

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