This story was created in paid partnership with Chris Gallagher.
Actor Jonathan Rosenthal has never been one to back down from a challenge. He knows the bigger the obstacle, the stronger he will come out on the other side. He took this mentality into his role in The Abandon, in which he plays the main character and is on screen alone for most of the feature. Rosenthal spent a significant amount of time immersing himself in the story to get into character. The indie film has received positive reviews on the festival circuit, and Rosenthal’s performance is why.
In The Abandon, Rosenthal plays a wounded soldier who regains consciousness in a strange, nondescript cube and is tested physically and psychologically throughout the film. The sci-fi thriller was completed on a low budget and with time constraints. Rosenthal also appears alone on screen for 95% of the film, which was unusual for an actor.
The Abandon was a challenge, but Rosenthal proved he was up to the task. He took three months to prepare for the role, immersing himself in the story and the character to ensure he understood the role inside and out. Because of the tight budget, Rosenthal knew he would have no stunt double, and he took on the role’s physical and mental challenges.
Rosenthal’s dedication and talent have seen the film earn accolades as it makes its way around the festival circuit. The Abandon earned two nominations at the Red Rock Film Festival for Best Fiction Feature and Best Cinematography in a Fiction Feature. The film secured Best Picture wins at the LA Indie Film Fest, Montreal Independent Film Festival, and the Metro Manila Film Festival. Rosenthal was honored by the LA Indie Film Fest and Tiete International Film Awards, where he won Best Actor awards.
The film’s success has led to increased interest from distributors. Lionsgate, the film production and entertainment company known for films like The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Knives Out, andthe John Wick franchise, picked it up for distribution. The Abandon was released in theatres on July 19th, 2024, and is now available to stream on Digital as of July 30.
Rosenthal not only stars in the film but also acted as a producer. His production company, Mill House Motion Pictures, had a strong presence in making the film alongside Grindstone Entertainment Group. Rosenthal’s determination is reflected in his decision to take on this demanding role and production.
Jonathan Rosenthal is receiving positive reviews for his nuanced performance in The Abandon. His dedication to delivering a strong character is earning him positive attention as he now prepares for the next stage in his career. Rosenthal is now preparing for his next role in Guy Moshe’s new feature “Hotel Tehran”, starring alongside Liam Neeson and Zachary Levi.
