The new Marilyn Monroe biopic Blonde left viewers incredibly impressed at the Venice International Film Festival. Delving into the life of the late Hollywood legend, the film stars Ana de Armas in the role of Monroe. Following its premiere in Venice, the film will hit theaters on Sept. 16 followed by its wider release on Netflix on Sept. 28.The Venice premiere was attended by Armas alongside producer Brad Pitt, producer Dede Gardner, director Andrew Dominik, and co-stars Adrien Brody and Julianne Nicholson. After the screening, the cast and filmmakers were met with a standing ovation reported by Variety to last an amazing 14 minutes long. Video clips are circulating on social media featuring Armas getting emotional alongside the others as everyone in the room showers them with praise.

Written and directed by Andrew Dominik, Blonde is based on the book of the same name by Joyce Carol Oates. Along with Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe, the film also stars Adrien Brody, Bobby Cannavale, Xavier Samuel, and Julianne Nicholson. Brad Pitt produced alongside Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Tracey London, and Scott Robertson.

Related: Marilyn Monroe: The Best Actors' Portrayals of the Blonde

Ana de Armas Has Impressed Viewers Despite Initial Backlash Over Casting

Ana de Armas in Blonde
Netflix

Ahead of the movie's release, there had been some complaints on social media from people criticizing the casting of a Cuban actress as Marilyn Monroe. Director Andrew Dominik stood by casting Ana de Armas, claiming in an interview with Screen Daily that people were going to be impressed with her performance, regardless of her ethnicity.

"She is f***ing amazing – the one thing nobody’s going to complain about is [de Armas’] performance," Dominik said.

Blonde has also been bestowed with an NC-17 rating, but that wasn't a big shocker for Dominik. The director also commented about the rating and how that had no effect on having him trim out any content for a lighter rating, as it was important for him to be candid about telling the Monroe's story.

“It’s a demanding movie," he said. "If the audience doesn’t like it, that’s the f***ing audience’s problem. It’s not running for public office. It’s an NC-17 movie about Marilyn Monroe, it’s kind of what you want, right? I want to go and see the NC-17 version of the Marilyn Monroe story.”

Blonde starts streaming on Netflix on Sept. 28, 2022. You can check out the official trailer and synopsis for the movie below.

Ana de Armas is Marilyn Monroe in Blonde, coming to Netflix this September. From Writer and Director Andrew Dominik, and based on the bestselling novel by Joyce Carol Oates, Blonde boldly reimagines the complicated life of icon Marilyn Monroe. Blurring the lines of fact and fiction, the film artfully explores the tension between her public and private life.