Every era has its visionaries, and BLACKBERRY investigates the brilliance of the individuals that invented the world’s first smartphone. Recounting the Canadian company’s humble yet chaotic rise to market dominance, the film is a darkly comedic telling of the tragic tale of a busines that revolutionized the way we communicate - before swiftly plummeting into obsolescence.

It’s 1996, and Mike Lazaridis (Jay Baruchel) and his business partner and best friend Douglas Fregin (director and co-writer Matt Johnson, the creator of THE DIRTIES, OPERATION AVALANCHE) are on the edge of creating the world’s first smartphone. Unfortunately for them, they are less business savvy than they are tech, and struggle to keep their company, Research in Motion, afloat. Everything changes when cunning business man Jim Balsillie (Glenn Howerton, IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA) agrees to join the company, bringing with him the money and experience needed to create and sell a prototype of their invention.

Seemingly overnight the three men revolutionize the way people work, communicate and connect. Celebrities, politicians and businessmen are now addicted to their Blackberrys. The company's value skyrockets, yet within a few short years shady business dealings, personal grievances, and, perhaps most dangerously, the iPhone, threaten the company’s incredible success. With Cary Elwes, Saul Rubinek, Michael Ironside, Rich Sommer, Mark Critch.
"With intelligence as sharp as its humor, 'BlackBerry' takes a terrifically entertaining look at the rise and fall of a generation-defining gadget." (Rotten Tomatoes)

"This is one of those whip-smart, character- and story-driven gems that grabs you from the start and never lets go." (Chicago Sun-Times)

"Glen Howerton brings something to 'BlackBerry,' the scrappy Canadian indie about a scrappy Canadian company that changed the world, that goes above and beyond his usual lovable sociopath act. It’s not range. It’s rage." (Rolling Stone Magazine)

Sunday, July 2
Doors 3:15 pm | Movie 3:45 pm*Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

BLACKBERRY (Matt Johnson, 2023 / 119 / 14A) ‘BlackBerry’ tells the story of Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie, the two men that charted the course of the spectacular rise and catastrophic demise of the world’s first smartphone.
*Minors OK. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service.
*Rio Theatre Groupons and Rio Theatre passes are OK for any single film screening only. Please redeem at the box office.
*Online sales end an hour before showtime; unless otherwise noted, tickets are always available for purchase at the box office prior to showtime. All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale. Our box office is typically open 30 minutes before showtime. All seating is General Admission; please arrive 20-30 minutes prior to showtime to ensure great seats and time for treats.
*If you are looking to redeem either a Rio Theatre gift certificate or Groupon to any regular Rio Theatre screening: You can either email us in advance and give us a “heads up,” or do it at the box office prior to showtime. (We seat 400+ people and our regular screenings are very rarely at capacity – you should not have issues being admitted.)