Paramount Pictures has released a new trailer for director Damien Chazelle's next film, Babylon. The film, set in 1920s Hollywood, stars Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie as two film actors at very different stages of their careers.
Written and directed by Chazelle, Babylon takes place in 1920s LA and follows several characters working in Hollywood during an era of decadence and depravity. While the Paramount film has yet to be released to the public, it's clear that Babylon will tell a sprawling story about the changing landscape of Hollywood in the early 1900s. Pitt has previously said the film deals with issues relevant to the period, such as the introduction of sound after the silent films era.
The new Babylon trailer opens with Pitt's character, aging film actor Jack Conrad, as he describes Hollywood as "high art" to a young lady at a lavish party. The trailer quickly cuts to Robbie's character, young up-and-coming actress Nelle LaRoy, as she enters the scene on the shoulders of a half-naked man while wielding two lit sparklers. From there, the party descends into chaos, and the trailer for Babylon begins. Diego Calva, who plays Mexican-American film assistant Manny Torres, explains how he always wanted to be a part of something bigger. It seems that Manny gets a job working for Pitt's character, but he's clearly in over his head, as Pitt assigns him to deal with a group of angry workers.
The Babylon trailer shifts focus back to Robbie's character, who seems to be trying her best to steal every scene she's in. A fellow actress even complains that Robbie's character is "icing her nipples" to make them stand out. Robbie claims, "that's just what they look like," until we cut away to see her frantically stuffing ice cubs down her shirt. The Babylon trailer continues to jump around to various parties, but things take a dark turn when Robbie breaks down in a bathroom, confessing her feelings of failure and disappointment. Clearly, 1920s Hollywood isn't all fun and games, as the trailer for Babylon ends with gunshots, fist fights, and even a pet alligator. Finally, the trailer for Babylon slows things down as Pitt's character falls off his balcony and into his pool. He seems like he could be dead as he floats motionless for a few seconds before waking up and declaring that he's going to bed.
Babylon is sure to make a splash during the upcoming 2023 award season. The frantic energy of this new trailer already brings to mind the films of Martin Scorsese, as it features similar fast camera movements and a blend of decadence and chaos. Pitt and Robbie previously collaborated on director Quentin Tarantino's LA-based film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which featured Robbie as real-life actress Sharon Tate. It's difficult not to think of Tarantino's film while watching the latest Babylon trailer, as both films are set during a transitional era in Hollywood, with Babylon taking place in the roaring '20s and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood set in 1969.
Babylon is set to premiere in theaters on December 23rd, 2022.
Source: Paramount Pictures | Youtube