Casey Affleck's gothic thriller "Company" premiered at the Venice Film Festival on Tuesday night to a four-minute standing ovation, with the director and star Nick Nolte visibly moved by the reception. Ben Affleck, who produced the film through his company Artist Equity, attended the screening and applauded warmly as cast members including Indiana Affleck, Emily Alyn Lind, Scoot McNairy, Adelaide Clemens and Caylee Cowan cheered from the audience. The film marks Casey Affleck's third feature as writer-director and comes as he continues rebuilding his profile following past misconduct allegations that stalled his career.

Set in 1975, "Company" follows a mysterious woman, Evelyn, who arrives uninvited at a holiday gathering and recounts the story of Tom, a reclusive man who rescued a stranded actress during a Colorado blizzard two decades earlier, weaving together themes of grief, vengeance and forgiveness. The cast also includes Ben Mendelsohn, and the film gives Affleck's son Atticus his screen debut while serving as the second feature for his son Indiana. Affleck, an Oscar winner for "Manchester by the Sea", previously directed "Light of My Life" (2019) and "I'm Still Here" (2010); he denied harassment and toxic-workplace allegations made by two women who worked on the latter, which were settled out of court. "Company" is currently seeking distribution.