The Listener (film)

The Listener is a 2022 American drama film directed by Steve Buscemi and written by Alessandro Camon. It stars Tessa Thompson in the film's only on-screen role as a helpline volunteer.

The film premiered at the 2022 Venice International Film Festival, and was released in the United States by Vertical Entertainment on March 29, 2024.

Cast

 * Tessa Thompson as Beth

Voice cast

 * Margaret Cho as Corinne
 * Rebecca Hall as Laura
 * Alia Shawkat as Sharon
 * Logan Marshall-Green as Michael
 * Derek Cecil as Andy
 * Blu del Barrio as Jinx
 * Ricky Velez as Ellis
 * Jamie Hector as Ray
 * Casey Wilson as Ruby
 * Bobby Soto as Chris

Production
The Listener was directed by Buscemi from a script by Alessandro Camon. It is an American co-production between Olive Productions, Sight Unseen Pictures, and Hantz Motion Pictures.

Principal photography took place in Los Angeles between August and September 2021.

Release
The Listener premiered as the closing film of the Giornate Degli Autori section of the 2022 Venice International Film Festival on September 9, 2022. It also screened in Industry Selects section of the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.

In February 2024, Vertical Entertainment acquired distribution rights to the film in North America, United Kingdom and Ireland, scheduling it for a day-and-date release in the United States on March 29, 2024.