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Citadel (TV series)

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Citadel
Citadel TV Show Promotional Poster
Genre
Created by
ShowrunnerDavid Weil
Directed by
Starring
Composers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes13
Production
Executive producers
Production locationUnited Kingdom
Cinematography
  • Newton Thomas Sigel
  • Michael Wood
Running time39–49 minutes
Production companies
Budget$300 million
Original release
NetworkAmazon Prime Video
ReleaseApril 28, 2023 (2023-04-28) –
present
Related

Citadel is an American spy action television series created by Josh Appelbaum, Bryan Oh, and David Weil for Amazon Prime Video with the Russo brothers acting as executive producers. It stars Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra as secret agents Mason Kane and Nadia Sinh who, after being attacked by members of a rival agency and having their memories wiped, must reclaim their lost identities and fight back.

With a production budget of US$300 million, the six-episode first season ranks as one of the most expensive television series ever made. The first season premiered on April 28, 2023. In March 2023, it was renewed for a second season, with all seven episodes premiering on May 6, 2026.[2]

Multiple non-English language spin-off shows were announced, with settings in the Italian Alps, India, Spain, and Mexico. The Italian series, Citadel: Diana, premiered on October 10, 2024, while the Indian series, Citadel: Honey Bunny, premiered on November 7, 2024.

Cast

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Main

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  • Richard Madden as
    • Mason Kane: a top-class Citadel spy agent; Nadia's husband and work partner; Asha's father
    • Kyle Conroy: Mason's identity after his memory was erased; Abby's husband (seasons 1-2)[3]
  • Priyanka Chopra as
    • Nadia Sinh: a top-class Citadel spy agent; Mason's wife and work partner; Asha's mother
    • Charlotte Vernon: Nadia's identity as a restaurant manager in Valencia after her memory was wiped[3]
  • Stanley Tucci as Bernard Orlick: a Citadel associate and key member of the spy team [3]
  • Lesley Manville as Dahlia Archer, a UK ambassador and Manticore agent[3]
  • Ashleigh Cummings as
    • Abby Conroy, Kyle's wife; Hendrix's mother[3]
    • Celeste Graham, a former Citadel spy (season 2; recurring season 1)
  • Jack Reynor as James Hutch, an off the grid CIA agent who tends to break the rules (season 2)[4]
  • Lina El Arabi as Celine Rohr (season 2)

Recurring

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Guests

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Production

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Development

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Amazon Studios chief Jennifer Salke first came up with the idea for the series and approached the Russo brothers and their independent studio AGBO about creating an ambitious, global spy show in mid-2018. The series was originally a partnership between AGBO and the screenwriting collective Midnight Radio, comprising Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec. Appelbaum and Nemec departed the show during production in 2021, due to creative differences with the Russos. The Russos set up a second editing team and cut an alternate version of the season to compete with the main team, and Amazon chose the Russos' version after focus-group testings. This led to the hiring of David Weil as the new showrunner and extensive reshoots in 2022.[8][9]

As of 2023, Citadel was the second most expensive series of all time with a budget of US$300 million, largely due to the reshoots following Weil's hiring.[10][11] Prime Video renewed the series for a second season on March 14, 2023.[12]

Casting

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Starring alongside Madden and Chopra, Roland Møller will play Laszlo Milla, a lead operative of Citadel's rival intelligence agency, Manticore.[13]

Filming

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Filming on the main series began in January 2021 and wrapped the following December.[14][15] However, reshoots occurred in early and mid-2022 under the supervision of Weil, the Russos, and director Thomas Sigel.[8]

Episodes

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Series overview

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
16April 28, 2023 (2023-04-28)May 26, 2023 (2023-05-26)
27May 6, 2026 (2026-05-06)

Season 1 (2023)

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No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
11"The Human Enigma"Newton Thomas SigelTeleplay by : David Weil
Story by : Josh Appelbaum & Bryan Oh and David Weil		April 28, 2023 (2023-04-28)
Citadel spies Mason Kane and Nadia Sinh are presumed killed during a mission in Italy when they are ambushed by Manticore agents. Eight years later, Mason, with no memory of his previous identity, lives a quiet life as Kyle Conroy with his wife and daughter. When Citadel agent Bernard Orlick learns that he is alive, and that Manticore agent Dahlia Archer is after a top-secret Citadel X case, Orlick abducts Kyle and his family, reveals Kyle's past to him, and persuades him to help retrieve the case to keep its potentially world-altering data out of Manticore's hands.
22"Spies Appear In Night Time"Newton Thomas SigelDavid Weil and Bryan OhApril 28, 2023 (2023-04-28)
Nadia too survived the Italy mission. While escaping, she is held captive by an Italian man; she manages to kill him and escape, but her memory is remotely wiped out by Orlick. Eight years later, Kyle retrieves the Citadel X case, but Orlick is captured by Archer's men. After discovering that Nadia is alive living her life as Charlotte Vernon, Kyle contacts her, helping her regain her memory through a serum in the case.
33"Infinite Shadows"Newton Thomas Sigel
Jessica Yu		David Weil and Melissa GlennMay 5, 2023 (2023-05-05)
Kyle's vulnerable and confused state makes him susceptible to false stories and propaganda, leading to the question of whether he will trust Nadia or if they will go their separate ways after the crucial mission.
44"Tell Her Everything"Newton Thomas Sigel
Jessica Yu		Teleplay by : Josh Appelbaum & Bryan Oh and David Weil
Story by : Josh Appelbaum & Bryan Oh		May 12, 2023 (2023-05-12)
In Morocco, Kyle and Nadia enter the Manticore Black Site to rescue Carter. They tackle an army of unnamed goons, with Nadia taking the lead. However, Kyle is still rusty in battle, as his memories and previous skills were lost forever. He nervously follows Nadia’s direction. They quickly make their way to Carter’s cell. The traumatized prisoner looks up at Kyle and blames him for this incarceration. The series then jumps back to ten years earlier. Mason and Nadia are living it up in Paris, where they are slowly falling in love with one another. Nadia informs Mason that a new agent is joining the team. She worked with this spy before, and the agent ended up saving Nadia’s life.
55"Time Renders Us Enemies"Newton Thomas SigelTeleplay by : David Weil and Bryan Oh
Story by : David Weil and Bryan Oh & Angela Russo-Otstot		May 19, 2023 (2023-05-19)
Mason learns that Nadia has a secret daughter, shaking the trust between them. As they confront their complicated past, Bernard helps them stay ahead of Manticore. With loyalties in question, the line between ally and enemy grows increasingly blurred, pushing them closer to uncovering Citadel’s true downfall.
66"Secrets in Night Need Early Rains"Newton Thomas SigelJosh Appelbaum & Bryan OhMay 26, 2023 (2023-05-26)
Kyle, Nadia, and Carter retrieve nuclear cores from a submarine, hoping to trade them for Mason and Nadia’s daughter, Asha. The tense exchange in Valencia leads to a firefight, but Kyle saves Asha just in time. Dahlia Archer fakes her death after failing Manticore. Mason regains his lost memories, discovering he was manipulated into betraying Citadel, believing it would protect his family.

Season 2 (2026)

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No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten by [16]Original release date [2]
71"Baked Alaskas"Joe RussoDavid WeilMay 6, 2026 (2026-05-06)
Kyle, Nadia, and Bernard are in hiding across Europe. While Kyle grapples with identity issues and Nadia flees with her daughter, Bernard teams up with former CIA agent Hutch to stop Paulo Braga. A secret emerges when Nadia confronts Frank Sharpe.
82"Cold Plunge"Joe RussoDavid J. RosenMay 6, 2026 (2026-05-06)
Abby's escape sets off a chain of deadly events. Paulo and Joana advance their weapon as they pursue Kyle. Bernard and Hutch race to reunite the group. Kyle seeks help from an old enemy and uncovers Bernard's dark secret.
93"Chinos"Joe RussoGursimran Sandhu and David J. RosenMay 6, 2026 (2026-05-06)
As Paulo's plan accelerates, Kyle and Nadia are forced into an uneasy alliance. Along with Bernard, Hutch, Celine, and Frank Sharpe, they mount a daring mission to uncover the identity of a mysterious hacker.
104"Unreasonable"Joe RussoTori Sampson and David Weil and David J. RosenMay 6, 2026 (2026-05-06)
After extracting Edison's true identity, the team pivots to a high-profile gala where their target is expected to appear. Tensions rise between Kyle and Nadia. As enemies close in, a dishonest decision threatens to end the entire mission.
115"Heirlooms"David WeilDavid Weil and Kennedy EdmondsMay 6, 2026 (2026-05-06)
Kyle and Dahlia set up a high-risk prisoner exchange to negotiate Abby's release. But as Kyle's unraveling threatens to derail the plan, both sides race to execute the exchange, leading to a shocking revelation from Abby.
126"Highlands"Greg YaitanesDavid Weil and David J. RosenMay 6, 2026 (2026-05-06)
As Joana accelerates plans to assassinate the Russian president, Kyle and Nadia take Abby to a safe house in Scotland. But when they discover the horrifying truth about what was done to Abby, it sets off a devastating chain of events.
137"Chin Chin"Greg YaitanesDavid Weil and David J. RosenMay 6, 2026 (2026-05-06)
Citadel agents race to prevent Joana from assassinating President Aronov at the G8 Summit, where she plans to take control of Russian satellites.

Music

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Jeff Russo was hired to write the score for season 2 which was recorded in April 2025 at London's Air Lyndhurst Studio.
Alex Belcher composed the first season, while Henry Jackman served as score producer. Sony Classical released the soundtrack.[17]

Citadel (Prime Video Original Series Soundtrack)[17]
No.TitleLength
1."Citadel (Main Title Theme)"1:19
2."The Train"3:37
3."Bathroom Brawl"4:45
4."Derailed"3:38
5."Amnesia"2:21
6."I Deserve to Know"1:50
7."Family"1:50
8."Taken"1:07
9."The Brothers"0:54
10."Dahlia Interviewed"1:34
11."A Myth"2:22
12."Backstory"2:48
13."Backwoods Kidnapping"1:45
14."Backstop"2:20
15."It's Time"2:12
16."Exceedingly Untrustworthy"3:44
17."Message to Abbey"1:20
18."Valencia"0:50
19."You're Nadia"1:11
20."Did You Just Throw a Knife?"1:15
21."Nadia Back with a Vengeance"4:14
22."Captured"1:42
23."Stitched Up"3:15
24."Ski Sequence"4:40
25."They Meet"2:03
26."Quite a Story"1:39
27."Nadia & Mason"1:13
28."Blacksite"1:08
29."Rescue Mission"2:31
30."Kiss & Tell"2:22
31."The New Tier 1"4:49
32."Interrogated"5:00
33."You Only Get One Soul"3:47
34."You Did This"2:46
35."What if It Was Real?"1:08
36."Headshot"1:32
37."Did He Know?"1:29
38."Can a Spy Truly Love?"4:01
39."Goodbye"2:07
40."The Truth"3:35
41."The Bracelet"2:21
42."Red Cell Mission"5:14
43."A Seat at the Table"1:54
44."Deactivating the Cores"4:32
45."Reuniting"2:14
46."A Favor"6:39
Total length:120:37

Release

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The series had its world premiere, with the release of the first two episodes, on 14 April 2023 as the surprise screening for the opening night of the Sands Film Festival in St Andrews, Scotland.[18] The six-episode first season premiered on Amazon Prime Video on April 28, 2023, with its first two episodes.[19]

The second season premiered on May 6, 2026, with all seven episodes.[2]

Spin-offs

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Citadel includes spin-off shows in different languages set in the Italian Alps, India, Spain, and Mexico.[20][21][22][23] The Italian series, titled Citadel: Diana, is produced by Cattleya, part of ITV Studios, and was released in 2024.[24] At the end of season 1 of Citadel, there was a trailer for Citadel: Diana. The series was aired on October 9, 2024.[25] The Indian series, titled Citadel: Honey Bunny, starring Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, was directed by Raj & DK and revolves around the story of Honey and Bunny, who are the parents of the character Nadia Sinh. It premiered on November 7, 2024.[26][27][28] Both spin-offs were cancelled after their first seasons.

Reception

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Critical response

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For the first season, the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 51% approval rating with an average rating of 5.7/10, based on 79 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Citadel spares no expense but still feels underdeveloped, yielding a fairly fun spy caper that nonetheless creaks under the weight of its own exorbitance."[29] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 51 out of 100 based on 29 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[30]

The Economist called it "a big-budget, low-imagination thriller with plenty of explosions and no surprises."[31] Despite the criticism it was picked up for a second season that released in 2026.[32][33][34]

The second season has a 71% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on seven reviews, with an average rating of 5.4/10.[35][36]

Screen Rant praised the season's action sequences, writing that the show features "the very best" choreography and fight scenes among Prime Video's action thriller originals, and noted that director Joe Russo's "sharp and high-octane direction" was evident from the opening episode.[37] Indian entertainment publication Bollywood Hungama gave the season a positive review, calling it "a fast-paced thriller" and noting that it "benefits from Priyanka Chopra Jonas' action avatar."[38] M.N. Miller of FandomWire wrote that the second season "finds enough pulpy spy-thriller fun and unexpected charm in Stanley Tucci's scene-stealing turn to make the self-indulgent series an entertaining, but still disposable watch."[39]

Viewership

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According to streaming measurement service FlixPatrol, the first season debuted at number two on Prime Video's Top 10 Shows and Top 10 Overall rankings in the United States in its opening week, surpassing other Prime Video titles including Invincible.[40][41]

The second season briefly reached the top 5 in Prime Video's global streaming charts in its opening days, with competition from the presently airing final season of The Boys.[42]

Accolades

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Citadel was nominated for two awards at the 22nd Visual Effects Society Awards.[43]

Notes

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  1. ↑ Credited as Amazon Studios for the first season.

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ French, Andrew (March 9, 2021). "Amazon drama Citadel starring Richard Madden filming in Oxford". Oxford Mail. Archived from the original on June 4, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Greenawalt, Tyler (April 21, 2026). "Watch the 'Citadel' Season 2 trailer, premiering May 6 on Prime Video". Amazon Prime Video (Press release). Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Andreeva, Nellie (February 27, 2023). "Citadel Sets Premiere Date; First Look At Amazon Global Spy Series Reveals Lesley Manville Casting". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  4. ↑ Joe Otterson (May 29, 2024). "Citadel Season 2 Adds Jack Reynor to Cast (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.com.
  5. 1 2 Nellie Andreeva (August 2, 2024). "'Citadel' Adds Matt Berry & Gabriel Leone To Season 2 Cast". Deadline Hollywood.
  6. 1 2 3 Joe Otterson (August 5, 2024). "'Citadel' Season 2 Casts Merle Dandridge, Rahul Kohli, Michael Trucco". Variety.com.
  7. 1 2 Campbell, Christopher (April 7, 2023). "Citadel Cast & Character Guide". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on June 14, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  8. 1 2 Kit, Borys (September 1, 2022). "Russo Bros.' Amazon Series 'Citadel' Creative Overhaul Balloons Budget to $200M-Plus (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 23, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  9. ↑ Shaw, Lucas (July 5, 2023). "Amazon CEO Asks His Hollywood Studio to Explain Its Big Spending". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  10. ↑ Colangelo, B. J. (September 1, 2022). "Amazon Is Spending Over $200 Million On The Russo Bros. Series Citadel Due To Expensive Reshoots". /Film. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  11. ↑ Masters, Kim (April 3, 2023). "Inside Amazon Studios: Big Swings Hampered by Confusion and Frustration". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  12. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (March 14, 2023). "'Citadel,' Amazon's Pricey and Troubled Drama, Renewed for Season 2 (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  13. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (September 3, 2020). "'Citadel': Roland Møller Cast In Amazon's Russo Brothers International Event Series". Deadline. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Priyanka Chopra Jonas spotted filming for her upcoming series Citadel with Richard Madden - BeautyPageants". Femina Miss India. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  15. ↑ "That's a wrap! PeeCee finishes filming for Amazon Studios series 'Citadel'". The Economic Times. December 13, 2021. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Citadel - WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  17. 1 2 "'Citadel' Soundtrack Album Details". Film Music Reporter. April 27, 2023. Archived from the original on May 24, 2023. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  18. ↑ Fleming JR, Mike; Ntim, Zac (April 16, 2026). "Joe Russo Talks 'Citadel', Working With Amazon Chief Jennifer Salke & His Plan To Challenge Cannes With The Sands International Film Festival". Deadline.
  19. ↑ Ford, Rebecca (February 27, 2023). "'Citadel': Amazon's Big Bet for a Global TV Franchise". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  20. ↑ Topel, Fred (January 15, 2020). "Amazon Announces 'Citadel,' a Spy Series From the Russo Brothers Starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra". SlashFilm. Archived from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  21. ↑ Petski, Denise (January 14, 2020). "Priyanka Chopra J & Richard Madden To Star In 'Citadel', Amazon's Russo Brothers International Event Series". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  22. ↑ "València, epicentro de la nueva serie de Amazon". Levante-EMV (in Spanish). September 23, 2021. Archived from the original on September 24, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  23. ↑ Akingbade, Tobi (January 16, 2020). "When is Citadel released on Amazon and who's in the cast with Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra?". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Italian Chapter Of 'Citadel' Spyverse Franchise Gets Official Title, First-Look At Lead Matilda De Angelis". Deadline Hollywood. May 26, 2023. Archived from the original on May 27, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Prime Video Rilis Official First Look Serial Citadel: Diana". May 27, 2023. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Samantha Ruth Prabhu drops pictures with Varun Dhawan, Raj and DK as they finish a schedule of 'Citadel'". The Times of India. March 9, 2023. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  27. ↑ Das, Anoushka. "Citadel: 7 Things To Know About The Spy Series". She The People. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  28. ↑ "'Citadel': Varun Dhawan To Star In Indian Series Set In Amazon Franchise". Deadline Hollywood. December 20, 2022. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Citadel: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Citadel: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  31. ↑ "A golden age of TV is losing its shine". The Economist. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  32. ↑ Ravindran, Manori (May 25, 2023). "'Citadel': Prime Video Confirms Season 2 With Joe Russo as Sole Director, Says Spy Thriller is Second Most-Watched International Original". Variety. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  33. ↑ McCormick, Colin; Norman, Dalton (May 27, 2023). "Citadel Season 2: Cast, Story & Everything We Know". ScreenRant. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  34. ↑ Sepinwall, Alan (April 27, 2023). "'Citadel' Is a $300 Million Disaster for Amazon". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Citadel: Season 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  36. ↑ Long, Danielle (May 12, 2026). "This Underrated Spy Thriller Just Returned and I've Never Hit Play Faster". PureWow. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
  37. ↑ "After 3 Years, Prime Video's 7-Part Spy Thriller Finally Returns To Fix Its Biggest Problem". Screen Rant. May 2026. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  38. ↑ Bollywood Hungama News Network (May 6, 2026). "Web Series Review: Citadel Season 2 is a fast-paced thriller that benefits from Priyanka Chopra Jonas' action avatar". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  39. ↑ Miller, M.N. (May 8, 2026). "Citadel Season 2 Review: Improved, Entertaining, and Still Self-Indulgent". FandomWire. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  40. ↑ Outlaw, Kofi (May 11, 2026). "The Russos' Returning $300M Action Thriller Is a Streaming Hit". ComicBook.com. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Priyanka Chopra's Citadel Beats Invincible Despite Clash with The Boys: Details Inside". News18. May 2026. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
  42. ↑ "Citadel Season 2 becomes most-watched show despite clash with The Boys, no promotions: Reports". Mashable. May 2026. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  43. ↑ Giardina, Carolyn (January 16, 2024). "'The Creator' Leads Visual Effects Society Feature Competition With 7 Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
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