Keanu Reeves Set to Star in Ruben Östlund’s New Satire 'The Entertainment System Is Down'

Excitement is mounting in the film industry as Keanu Reeves is confirmed to star in Ruben Östlund’s upcoming film, 'The Entertainment System Is Down', alongside Kirsten Dunst and Daniel Brühl.

The film, a sharp social satire, marks another ambitious project by the two-time Palme d’Or-winning director.

Set aboard a long-haul flight, the narrative unfolds as the plane’s entertainment system fails, plunging passengers into the depths of boredom.

This scenario is a creative adaptation inspired by a psychological experiment at Virginia University titled ‘The Challenge Of The Disengaged Mind.’ The study explored human discomfort with inactivity, revealing that many would rather self-administer electric shocks than sit alone with their thoughts.

Östlund has purchased a retired Boeing 747 to use as the primary set, promising an immersive and authentic backdrop for the film’s events.

The shoot is scheduled to begin in early 2025, with additional well-known actors expected to join the cast

This film is Östlund’s seventh feature and his second in English, following successes like 'Force Majeure' and 'Triangle of Sadness', both of which garnered him the prestigious Cannes Palme d’Or.

The project will be a Swedish-German-French co-production, involving Östlund’s long-time collaborators Erik Hemmendorff of Plattform Produktion and Philippe Bober of the Paris-based Coproduction Office, which is also handling world sales.

With pre-sales expected to close at this week’s Cannes market, where the project is making its first appearance, anticipation is high for what promises to be a compelling exploration of human nature and societal norms.