The Interview

The Interview is a 2014 American political satire action comedy film directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.

The Interview is a 2014 American political satire action comedy film directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. It stars James Franco and Seth Rogen as journalists recruited by the CIA after they arrange an interview with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, played by Randall Park. The film became widely known for the Sony Pictures hack and the controversy surrounding its release.

Plot

The film centers on Dave Skylark and Aaron Rapoport, hosts of a celebrity tabloid show, who secure an interview with Kim Jong-un. Their trip to Pyongyang turns into a CIA-backed assassination mission.

Production

The Interview was directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, marking their second feature film as directors after This Is the End. Dan Sterling wrote the screenplay from a story developed with Rogen and Goldberg.

Release and controversy

The film drew international attention after Sony Pictures was targeted by a cyberattack and the planned theatrical rollout changed. Sources note that it was not released in cinemas as originally planned and instead reached audiences through digital and on-demand platforms. It became notable beyond its plot because of threats and controversy that affected its theatrical release.

Reception and box office

The film earned modest theatrical box office returns compared with its reported production budget, but performed strongly through digital rentals, where it was described as Sony's most successful digital release.