Paramount Pictures drops a new The Rhythm Section trailer, one that clarifies the title and contrasts slightly in tone from the previously released Rhythm Section trailer. Directed by Reed Morano, the revenge thriller stars Blake Lively. The Rhythm Section is based on Mark Burnell’s 1999 novel of the same name. 

The Rhythm Section follows Stephanie Patrick (Lively), a woman who attempts to unravel mysteries associated with a plane crash that killed her entire family. Production commenced for Morano’s film way back in December 2017, and was subsequently delayed when Lively broke her hand on set. The Rhythm Section’s release date was pushed in January 2019, and then once again during the summer. Last September, the first trailer for The Rhythm Section finally released, teasing Lively’s turn as a James Bond-like character who learns how to efficiently operate when tracking down underground figures. The first clip established a bad girl vibe through Sleigh Bells’ cover of “Where Did You Sleep Last Night,” thus hyping up Lively’s central performance. 

Newly released by Paramount Pictures, the second trailer for The Rhythm Section once again opens by establishing Patrick’s backstory, but then immediately clarifies the title. Lively’s character explains her past and seeks help from Jude Law’s Iain Boyd, a man who schools his new apprentice about how to control her “rhythm section” - how to view her heart as drums. The only hard part, Patrick discovers, is living with the violence she’ll inevitably unleash. Check out The Rhythm Section’s new trailer below.

There’s a definite Bond vibe to the second trailer for The Rhythm Section, as Lively’s appearance changes throughout, while a minimal yet pounding score underlines the tension. There’s a survivalist aspect as well, as Patrick finds herself in both self-imposed and spontaneous scenarios where she’s forced to act quickly. The clip ends with a bit of comedic relief between Lively and Law’s characters, as Patrick displays her improved set of skills.

Over the past five years, Lively - a former Gossip Girl star - has quietly emerged as a potential A-list movie star for 2020 and beyond, thanks to performances in The Age of Adaline, The Shallows, and A Simple Favor. Now, she gets to show off a more raw and athletic side with The Rhythm Section, a gritty drama helmed by one of cinema’s most promising filmmakers. Morano spent years working as a cinematographer before releasing her directorial debut Meadowland in 2015, and has since earned a larger following upon becoming the first woman to win an Emmy Award for directing a drama series (The Handmaid’s Tale). 

Now that The Rhythm Section will finally hit theaters this month, Lively and Morano could very well become the early breakout stars of the year. Of course, No Time the Die aka Bond 25 has major hype at this point, and rightfully so, but The Rhythm Section isn’t exactly a modest indie with big ambitions, as it was produced for $50 million. It’s clear that Morano can direct, but can Lively sell the central performance? Based on The Rhythm Section trailer, it seems Lively is ready to rock. 

More: The Myers-Briggs® Types Of Blake Lively Characters

Source: Paramount Pictures

  • The Rhythm Section Release Date: 2020-01-31