Ever since it was announced in 2016 that actor Joe Manganiello had gotten Morrissey’s blessing to make his Smiths-inspired film Shoplifters of the World, Smiths fans have been patiently waiting. Well, it’s time to get excited, as the film’s official trailer has finally arrived.
Shoplifters of the World is directed and written by Stephen Kijak, and is loosely based on the story about an obsessed Smiths fan who held a Denver radio station hostage by gunpoint in 1987, forcing the DJs to only play songs by the Smiths. Shoplifters of the World stars Helena Howard, Ellar Coltrane, Elena Kampouris, Nick Krause, James Bloor, Thomas Lennon and Joe Manganiello.
As shown on Pitchfork, the trailer begins with showing a group of four friends who are in agony over the sudden break-up of the iconic British band, so they decide to dedicate the night to party and mourn the loss. While they are listening to the radio, it is revealed that the host has a gun to his head, and he will only be playing Smiths song for the rest of the night. With the radio being the soundtrack of their night, including 20 songs by The Smiths, they embark on a journey of self-discovery that will forever change them. The trailer ends with the convict being applauded by hundreds of Smith’s fans as he is taken in custody.
RLJE Films is releasing Shoplifters of the World March 26th in theaters, on demand, and digital.