The Beauty is Ryan Murphy at his absolute best: unfiltered, provocative, and beautifully monstrous. On top of that, the entire cast delivers incredible performances.
The Beauty — Pictured: Bella Hadid as Ruby. CR: Philippe Antonello/FX
For fans of Ryan Murphy, the experience of watching his work can often feel like a roller coaster – thrilling at the peak, but occasionally prone to coming off the rails. However, with the first season of The Beauty, he hasn’t just stayed on the tracks; he’s built a high-speed engine of body horror and social commentary that feels like a spiritual successor to the Golden Age of American Horror Story.
Right from the opening frame, The Beauty grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go, spiraling into a narrative that is just as grotesque as it is glamorous. And I was loving every moment that I was hanging on for dear life.
A Cast That Knows Exactly What Kind Of Series They Are In… And Delivers Career-Best Performances
The Beauty — Pictured:
Rebecca Hall as Jordan Bennett, Evan Peters as Cooper Madsen. CR: Philippe Antonello/FX
While Ryan Murphy is known for using the same actors over and over, The Beauty Season 1 features some of the most inspired casting choices in years – even if some of them are a bit familiar. Evan Peters is, as always, incredible. He brings a grounded, haunting intensity to the screen that anchors the more twisted elements of the plot. His time on American Horror Story has taught him how to make this genre work. And boy does he.
That said, Ashton Kutcher completely steals the show, shedding his boy-next-door persona for something far more complex, layered, and arguably sinister – especially as we near the final episodes. His performance is one for the record books. He absolutely blew me away in this series, and I found myself eagerly looking forward to the next time we saw his character, Byron Forst, on screen.
The Beauty — Pictured: Jeremy Pope as Jeremy, Anthony Ramos The Assassin. CR: Eric Liebowitz/FX
Not far behind are Jeremy Pope and Anthony Ramos. Their on-screen chemistry is nothing short of electric; they provide the emotional pulse of the series, making the stakes feel personal amidst the surrounding chaos. Whether they are sharing a quiet moment or caught in the middle of a bloody set-piece, you cannot take your eyes off them. I wish I could tell you more, but instead, you will just have to trust me.
The Price of Perfection: Would You Risk It All For Beauty?
The Beauty — Pictured: Ashton Kutcher as The Corporation. CR: Eric Liebowitz/FX
The central concept of the series – a simple shot that guarantees physical perfection – is the ultimate decision. We know, as the audience, what the cost could be, but would we still risk it all? It forces viewers to look in the mirror and ask: What would I sacrifice to be beautiful?
The Beauty explores morality not through preachy dialogue, but through the visceral consequences of vanity. The Beauty Shot is presented as a miracle, but as the season progresses, we see the risks involved.
The Big Question: Would you take the shot even knowing the side effects? I have to admit, I think I would. It’s a tempting offer, isn’t it? In a world that prizes aesthetics above all else, the Beauty Shot represents the ultimate shortcut. Talk about a relevant topic. In a world of Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications, we have all considered it. And are lying to ourselves if we say otherwise.
The Beauty — Pictured: Jeremy Pope as Jeremy. CR: Eric Liebowitz/FX
The Beauty is sexy, gory, bloody, and grotesque all at once. It leans heavily into body horror, using practical effects that will make even the most seasoned horror veteran squirm (and love every second of it).
Speaking of, I must mention the sound design team. In a series where skin, bone, and transformation are central themes, the audio is hyper-saturated. Every squelch, crack, and tear is amplified, heightening the jaw-on-the-floor moments. It turns the viewing experience into something truly immersive and, at times, physically uncomfortable. Which is exactly what The Beauty aims to do.
Overall Thoughts On The Beauty
The Beauty — Pictured: Isabella Rossellini as Franny Forst. CR: Philippe Antonello/FX
One of the smartest decisions made this season was the fluid episode lengths. Across the 11-episode run, Ryan Murphy and his team allowed the story to dictate the runtime rather than the clock.
The Beauty Season 1 hits the ground running and never looks back. Just when you think you’ve figured it all out, a new twist sends the plot in a different direction. It all ends on a massive, agonizing cliffhanger that feels earned rather than cheap. But the wait will be unbearable, and if there isn’t a season two, I am happy to lead the riot.
The Beauty is dark, insanely fun, and wildly unpredictable. It manages to balance the freak show elements of classic Ryan Murphy with a sophisticated look at human desire. With unexpected cameos and storylines that defy logic in the best way possible, it is the kind of prestige horror we’ve been craving.
This is Ryan Murphy at his absolute best: unfiltered, provocative, and beautifully monstrous.
The Beauty — Pictured:
Evan Peters as Cooper Madsen, Rebecca Hall as Jordan Bennett. CR: Philippe Antonello/FX
About The Beauty
Partners Drew Foster and Kara Vaughn investigate the Beauty STD causing aesthetic effects but proving lethal; they try to evade corrupt officials and a mercenary targeting them amidst a suspected government conspiracy.
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants exclusive behind-the-scenes clip featuring Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, and Clancy Brown.
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants Exclusive Clip
This Mama’s Geeky Exclusive Clip features behind-the-scenes look at Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, and Clancy Brown recording some of their most iconic lines of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.
This fun exclusive clip showcases the real-life friendship between Tom Kenny and Bill Fagerbakke. After voicing SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick for so long, it is clear that this relationship has bled into real life. Watch them record some of their most iconic lines, as well as hear from other cast members about the recording process.
BUY OR RENT ON DIGITAL JANUARY 20, 2026 ON DVD & BLU-RAY MARCH 31, 2026.
SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom friends set sail on their biggest adventure yet when The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants arrives to buy or rent on Digital on January 20, 2026, with over 20 minutes of bonus content.
Synopsis: SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom friends set sail on their biggest adventure yet! When an attempt to prove he’s a true big guy accidentally summons the fearsome ghost pirate The Flying Dutchman, SpongeBob and Patrick are swept into a wild underworld quest. With colossal challenges ahead and a rescue crew on their trail, SpongeBob discovers that real courage shines brightest when friends face the unknown together.
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants Bonus Features
Hoist the sails and dive into a deeper look at The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants with bonus content packed for a brave explorer of the seas. Peek inside the recording booth with the returning crew and new cast, uncover how the Flying Dutchman was summoned with animated trickery and live-action craft, and venture into the eerie Underworld as the team shapes this spooky realm from scratch.
Cap off the journey with the “Big Guy” by Ice Spice music video – one last shiny treasure for anyone adventuring beyond Bikini Bottom.
Featurettes:
The SpongeBob Ensemble: The Veteran Voices: Returning cast in the voiceover booths.
The SpongeBob Ensemble: The New Crew: New cast members in the voiceover booths.
The Flying Dutchman: Animated Artistry + Live Acting: The cast and crew on creating the Flying Dutchman.
From Bikini Bottom To The Underworld: The production designers on animating the Underworld.
What would you sacrifice for perfection? Go inside FX’s The Beauty with stars Evan Peters, Rebecca Hall, and Ashton Kutcher.
The Beauty — Pictured: Bella Hadid as Ruby. CR: Philippe Antonello/FX
The global obsession with aesthetic perfection is about to be pushed to its limits in FX’s latest international thriller, The Beauty. Filmed across the stunning vistas of Paris, Venice, and Rome, the series follows FBI agents Cooper Madsen and Jordan Bennett as they investigate a series of gruesome deaths involving international models.
Their investigation leads them to a disturbing discovery: a sexually transmitted virus that transforms hosts into “perfect” versions of themselves – but at a terrifying physical price. With a trailer that has already amassed nearly 190 million views, making it the most-watched in FX history, the show explores a world where a shadowy tech billionaire known as The Corporation has engineered a miracle drug that could alter the future of humanity.
Ahead of the three-episode premiere on Wednesday, January 21st, the star-studded cast sat down for a press conference to discuss the show’s provocative themes. The panel featured executive producers and stars Evan Peters (Cooper Madsen), Rebecca Hall (Jordan Bennett), Anthony Ramos (The Assassin), Jeremy Pope (Jeremy), and Ashton Kutcher (The Corporation). From the pervasive nature of modern cosmetic drugs to the grueling physicality of shooting on the streets of Italy, the cast delved into what it means to hunt for beauty in a society that never feels like enough.
Perfection in the Age of GLP-1s and Aesthetic Advantage
The Beauty — Pictured: Jeremy Pope as Jeremy. CR: Eric Liebowitz/FX
Q: How do you think The Beauty reflects the current cultural landscape?
Rebecca Hall: “In many ways, I think that Ryan Murphy has a nose for the zeitgeist and what is current and what we’re all talking about and how he makes it subversive and provocative and- and even more worth discussing. I think that there’s a lot to be said about it, the sort of chase for perfection and what that means, and also the commodification of beauty, because I think a human beauty is a conceptually complicated thing”.
Ashton Kutcher: “Yeah, I think we’re living in a world where GLP-1s are pervasive. The demand for Ozempic, and Wegovy, and Mounjaro, and all of these drugs, and some of them are for, uh, health complications, others are just for aesthetic outcome. And then we have this increasing demand for cosmetic surgery… And you start to ask questions like is that so wrong?”.
Anthony Ramos: “I mean, just the other day my stylist is like, Hey, we have a photoshoot coming up, you should get a facial. And I get to the facial and he’s like, Yeah, She flushed your face. Right? I was like, What, I was looking puffy before? And he’s like, a little bit”.
Evan Peters: “Yeah, I think there’s also a throughline through a lot of Ryan’s projects, which is that, uh, the thing that makes you you and makes you unique is the thing that makes you interesting and, um, is to be celebrated. So I think that at the end, there’s ome episodes that really hammer that in”.
Jeremy Pope: “I love a piece of art that asks the audience themselves the question, what would you do if there was a drug or something that you could take that would make you feel like the best version of yourself? And I think the show starts off in a very vain, vanity, physical way. But then we talk about a kid that maybe has, you know, a disease or something where they haven’t been able to live their full life, and as a parent or as a person who is observing that, what would you give to see someone step into their beauty and their light?”.
Q: Ashton, do you see “The Corporation” as a villain or someone who thinks he is helping humanity?
Ashton Kutcher: “So I learned a very long time ago you can’t judge your character. I can from 10,000 feet look at the behavior of that character and go, wow, he’s doing some pretty abhorrent things, but when you’re playing the character, you have to play them from the perspective that they believe that they’re doing something right”.
The Frightened Intimacy of Agents Madsen and Bennett
The Beauty — Pictured:
Rebecca Hall as Jordan Bennett, Evan Peters as Cooper Madsen. CR: Philippe Antonello/FX
Q: Evan and Rebecca, what is the dynamic like between Jordan and Cooper?
Rebecca Hall: “Well, the dynamic is they work together and they are best friends with benefits. And they both think that there’s nothing more to it, although it’s a complete lie and they’re just refusing to be vulnerable with each other”.
Evan Peters: “Yes, I agree, I totally agree. You’re kind of rooting for one of them to sort of speak up and say, well, wait a minute, I don’t want you to see other people, I just want to see you, you know? I love you”.
The Unlikely Bond Between a Killer and an Outcast
The Beauty — Pictured: Jeremy Pope as Jeremy, Anthony Ramos The Assassin. CR: Eric Liebowitz/FX
Q: Anthony and Jeremy, what impact do your characters have on each other?
Anthony Ramos: “Well, I think Jeremy reminds The Assassin of himself. I think there’s a level of empathy that The Assassin has for Jeremy’s character that I think that Jeremy brings out of him, that he taps into. The Assassin spends a lot of time by himself, right? He’s a killer. And that’s what he does, and he does it alone”.
Jeremy Pope: “So I think in this moment he gets to meet someone who sees him and appreciates the weirdness that he is and that he’s bringing, you know? So they begin to work as a duo, and they begin to find new ways in this new experience and new life”.
Body Horror vs. Ballet: The Physical Language of Transformation
The Beauty — Pictured: Isabella Rossellini as Franny Forst. CR: Philippe Antonello/FX
Q: Can you talk about the intense stunt work and transformations in the series?
Jeremy Pope: “I remember my day of transforming. We thought it was going to go one way, and he had a different vision. So it required me to use my physical body. And it became more of a ballet, if you will. It became about expressing this person feeling their body in their skin and the muscles, and how instead of playing the body horror of it or the pain of it, but there can be beauty in finding this true perfected self”.
Evan Peters: “We had a fun one. We had a fun one. It was great. Super fun. I mean, it was just we had like one run through a little bit to kind of learn the moves. And then on the day just shot it. They had, you know, three different angles that are going at the same time. And just shot the hell out of it and prayed”.
Ashton Kutcher: “Yeah, I can really empathize with you guys in these fighting scenes. I had to shoot a scene where I sat in a jacuzzi, and I ate 27 pieces of pizza in one day.”.
The Beauty — Pictured:
Evan Peters as Cooper Madsen, Rebecca Hall as Jordan Bennett. CR: Philippe Antonello/FX
About The Beauty
Partners Drew Foster and Kara Vaughn investigate the Beauty STD causing aesthetic effects but proving lethal; they try to evade corrupt officials and a mercenary targeting them amidst a suspected government conspiracy.
From the moment I heard about The Rip, it became one of my most anticipated films of 2026. All you have to do is mention Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, and I am already all the way in. I grew up outside of Boston, so it should come as no surprise that these actors are absolute legends in my eyes. They are always great in their projects, but when they work together that they really shine.
The premise of this new Netflix film only helped solidify my excitement. I love a good cop drama, and it was clear from the start that The Rip was going to be about as dark and gritty as they come. Thankfully, I was not disappointed in the slightest.
When a team of Miami cops arrives at a stash house after being tipped off, they discover millions of dollars. With that much on the line, things start to get intense as everyone starts to realize not all of them can be trusted. Someone is plotting to steal the cash, and what follows is a movie filled with twists and turns that will have viewers hanging onto every word.
One of the best parts of The Rip is the action. These are high stakes, and the action sequences do not disappoint. From massive shootouts to on-foot chase scenes, this film has something for everyone. My heart was pounding and thanks to some well-timed sound design, I jumped on more than one occasion.
Of course, both Matt Damon and Ben Affleck deliver unforgettable performances. That should come as no surprise to anyone. But it is their supporting cast, all working brilliantly together, that rounds out the ensemble, making this a must-see film. From Catalina Sandino Moreno to Teyana Taylor to Steven Yuen, everyone brings their A-game. This is a movie about suspense and distrust, and they all play their roles in it perfectly.
Taking place almost all at one location adds to the intensity of The Rip. It often feels claustrophobic and like we are a part of the investigation. With so much on the line, and everyone involved having a clear motive to want to steal the cash, the suspense is through the roof. Lines blur, and it becomes almost impossible to know who can be trusted. Which is all part of the fun of this dark, twisted thriller.
The Rip is packed with twists, turns, and incredibly high stakes, constantly keeping you hanging on to the edge of your seat. Just when you think you’ve figured it all out, it pulls the rug out from under you. The writing is sharp and unpredictable, making this one of those films where you truly have no idea what will happen next.
Combined with strong character work and intense action sequences, it’s the kind of movie that demands your full attention from start to finish. The pacing is on point as it flies by, even with a runtime of over two hours. If you are a fan of Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, or just a good police thriller, The Rip is for you.
Upon discovering millions in cash in a derelict stash house, trust among a team of Miami cops begins to fray. As outside forces learn about the size of the seizure, everything is called into question — including who they can rely on.
The cast and creatives behind Sheepdog discuss the battle and home, and Post-Traumatic Growth, in these interviews.
The independent film Sheepdog is a poignant exploration of the battle at home that veterans face long after their final deployment. Unlike many military dramas that focus on the adrenaline of combat, this film prioritizes the messy, beautiful, and necessary process of healing and human connection.
At its heart, Sheepdog is not about Post-Traumatic Stress; it is a story about “post-traumatic growth,” illustrating that there is life, joy, and hope on the other side of trauma. Through its focus on a veteran’s journey toward recovery and the ripple effect that healing has on his community and family, the film serves as a mirror for anyone who has struggled with isolation or the weight of the past.
In these interviews, the cast shares the profound emotional journey of bringing this 14-year project to life. From the relentless dedication of the film’s multi-hyphenate creator to the deeply personal connections the actors felt toward their characters, these conversations reveal why Sheepdog has resonated so powerfully on the film festival circuit. The following insights offer a glimpse into the heart of a production that was fueled by sincerity and a desperate need to “get it right” for the men and women who served.
Virginia Madsen: Finding Beauty in the Struggle
For Virginia Madsen, who plays the therapist in the film, the project was a rare find in the world of independent cinema. She was immediately struck by the script’s honesty and the dedication of Steven Grayhm. Madsen reflected on her desire for more meaningful roles, stating, “I wanted something that was going to be meaningful, something that was important and make a difference and where are you going to find that”.
The filming process was uniquely intimate, with a quiet set that allowed the actors to feel as though their scenes were taking place in private. Madsen also shared how the film’s themes of recovery impacted her personally, leading her to realize how often people – especially women – hide behind the phrase “I’m fine”.
She noted that the film gives people the language to start their own conversations about healing. “I just stopped saying I’m fine or it’s OK,” she admitted, adding, “then I had to realize what I was doing. And man did my world open up”.
Steven Grayhm and Vondie Curtis Hall: The Vision of Post-Traumatic Growth
Steven Grayhm wore nearly every hat on the production: writer, director, producer, and star. While he was initially open to stepping aside from the lead role to help the film get made, he eventually felt it was vital to bring his 10 years of research and close work with the VA directly to the screen.
Grayhm emphasized that the film’s core mission was to shift the narrative around veterans: “this is not a post traumatic stress film. This is a post traumatic growth film”. He explained that while the film doesn’t shy away from the pain families endure, it is equally committed to showing “what can be on the other side of that”.
Vondie Curtis Hall, who stars alongside Grayhm, was deeply moved by the film’s portrayal of the lingering internal conflict of war. “The war doesn’t stop once you stop fighting,” Hall remarked, highlighting how the film captures the “war within yourself”. He also praised the chemistry on set, recalling a specific table scene where “everything melts away… and there’s no acting. There’s just being”.
Dominic Fumusa and Matt Dallas: Humanity Over Stereotypes
Dominic Fumusa and Matt Dallas both emphasized the high stakes of telling this story accurately. Fumusa noted that therapy is often misunderstood or inaccessible for many, but the film shows it as a path toward a better life. He stated, “if our movie saves one life, it’s worth it”. For him, the response from the military community – particularly a spouse in Texas who felt the film perfectly captured the family’s experience – was the most gratifying part of the journey.
Matt Dallas, who has been with the project since its early stages, appreciated how the film challenged the typical “jacked up” Hollywood portrayal of veterans. Instead of the invincible soldier, the film presents something more authentic. “We were seeing a lot of just very vulnerable men and women who just, you know, look like us,” Dallas shared. Both actors expressed awe at Grayhm’s ability to manage the stress of directing and producing while remaining entirely present in their scenes together.
Sheepdog is a testament to the power of human interaction and the importance of not sitting with grief alone. To hear more about the production, the cast’s personal connections to the military, and the emotional impact of the film’s screenings, be sure to check out the full interview video.
Maggie Gyllenhaal talks “proper punk” and giving a horror icon a voice in The Bride! during a recent global press conference.
Following the intimate, quiet success of The Lost Daughter, Maggie Gyllenhaal is returning to the director’s chair with a big pop swing: The Bride!. This reimagining of the classic Frankenstein mythology promises to be a stylistic departure, blending 1930s Gothic elements with a “proper punk” energy. Rather than focusing on the monster’s creator, Gyllenhaal centers the narrative on the Bride herself – a woman resurrected with a backlog of things to say and an agenda all her own.
During a recent global press conference moderated by Perri Nemiroff from Collider, Maggie Gyllenhaal shared an inside look at the film’s electric production. The session teased a wealth of behind-the-scenes details, from the live wire chemistry between stars Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale to the technical wizardry of a growing IMAX aspect ratio. Gyllenhaal also touched on the deeply personal nature of the project, which features an ensemble cast including her husband, Peter Sarsgaard, and her brother, Jake Gyllenhaal.
A “Proper Punk” Awakening and the Mystery of the “!”
The film’s title, The Bride!, isn’t just a stylistic choice; it represents the forceful nature of the character’s return to life. Gyllenhaal explained that this version of the Bride is far from the silent companion seen in cinematic history. She is a woman who, having been silenced in her first life, returns with an explosive need to be heard.
“I think if you are The Bride who plays a woman in 1936 who died not having gotten herself expressed at all, then maybe when you come back to life, you have a backlog of so many things that you need to get said, and of course you’ll see as you watch the movie that The Bride also has access to other people’s backlogs of things that they need to get said, it comes out with an exclamation point attached to it when it finally gets to come out.”
This rebellion against the original source material, where the Bride famously “wakes up and says no,” serves as the driving force for Gyllenhaal’s vision.
“What if she comes back and she has her own needs and her own agenda and her own wants and her own terrors.”
Reimagining the 1930s: From Gothic Horror to 1980s New York
While the film is rooted in the 1930s, Maggie Gyllenhaal describes the aesthetic as a unique hybrid of eras. The design team, including makeup artist Nadia Stacey and production designer Karen Murphy, helped craft a world that feels both historical and contemporary. This is most visible in the Bride’s signature look, which features a striking black “inky tar” smudge – a remnant of the formula used to bring her back.
“It is set in the ’30s, but it’s not exactly set in the ’30s. It’s like, and I remember when I realized this, it’s the ’30s by way of downtown New York 1981 and now. So it’s a ’30s that comes out of my imagination.”
This punk-rock sensibility even influenced the film’s potential anthem. Gyllenhaal noted that Siouxsie and the Banshees’ cover of “The Passenger” perfectly encapsulates the Bride’s journey, subverting the idea that she is merely a passenger in her own story.
An Electric Collaboration Between Jessie Buckley & Christian Bale
The heart of the film lies in the performances of Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale. Maggie Gyllenhaal, drawing on her own experience as an actress, sought to create a “fever dream” environment on set where the actors could take massive risks. This led to a collaboration so intense that even the veteran Christian Bale wanted in on Gyllenhaal’s unique directing style.
“Jessie and I sometimes would feel like we were in a fever dream and I would just yell things out to her and she’d take them in and keep going. And Christian asked me at one point, we were in one scene, he was like, ‘Will you yell at me too?’ And so I did sometimes.”
Gyllenhaal spoke specifically about Buckley’s ability to navigate the complex, often contradictory emotions of a woman finding her identity for the first time.
“I think it’s to do with her wisdom in knowing that every human being holds the whole spectrum of feelings, so fierce and powerful. And right next to that is the deepest vulnerability. So smart, also totally irrational, sexy, and also sometimes ugly. All of it, put together, makes a person.”
Pushing Cinematic Boundaries with IMAX
In a bold technical move, Maggie Gyllenhaal and cinematographer Lawrence Sher utilized the IMAX format to create an emotional, “growing” visual experience. Unlike other films that use IMAX primarily for outdoor scale, The Bride! uses it to signal shifts in the character’s internal state.
“In my film, I started out with the idea that we would grow when we moved into someone’s mind. The movie has a lot of magic in it, as you can imagine, because we’re bringing people back to life. I mean, it’s a mythological concept. So when we went into someone’s dream life, when we go into someone’s mind, when we hit the magic, we would grow.”
By animating the vertical growth of the frame, Maggie Gyllenhaal hopes to immerse the audience in the surreal, monstrous beauty of the story.
The trailer for The Bride! is out now, and the film hits theaters on March 6.
About The Bride!
From Maggie Gyllenhaal (Academy Award-nominated writer/director of The Lost Daughter) and starring Academy Award nominee Jessie Buckley and Academy Award winner Christian Bale comes THE BRIDE! A bold, iconoclastic take on one of the world’s most compelling stories.
A lonely Frankenstein (Bale) travels to 1930s Chicago to ask groundbreaking scientist Dr. Euphronious (five-time Oscar nominee Annette Bening) to create a companion for him. The two revive a murdered young woman and The Bride (Buckley) is born. What ensues is beyond what either of them imagined: Murder! Possession! A wild and radical cultural movement! And outlaw lovers in a wild and combustible romance!
The film stars Buckley, Bale, Peter Sarsgaard, with Bening, Academy Award nominee Jake Gyllenhaal, and Oscar winner Penélope Cruz. Maggie Gyllenhaal directs from her own screenplay and produces alongside Oscar nominee Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Talia Kleinhendler and Osnat Handelsman Keren. The executive producers are Carla Raij, David Webb and Courtney Kivowitz.
Gyllenhaal is supported behind the camera by a team of award-winning film artisans, including director of photography Lawrence Sher, production designer Karen Murphy, editor Dylan Tichenor, music supervisor Randall Poster, composer Hildur Gudnadóttir and costume designer Sandy Powell.
Warner Bros. Pictures Presents A First Love Films / In The Current Company Production, A Maggie Gyllenhaal Film: THE BRIDE!. The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, only in theaters and IMAXⓇ in North America on March 6, 2026, and internationally beginning 4 March 2026.
South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference and Festivals unveils their 2026 Film and TV Festival opening night premiere and initial lineup.
SXSW ANNOUNCES 2026 FILM & TV FESTIVAL OPENING NIGHT TV PREMIERE AND INITIAL LINEUP
South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference and Festivals unveiled today an extensive wave of programming for the highly anticipated 33rd edition of the Film & TV Festival, which for the first time will open on a Thursday evening and conclude on a Wednesday, spanning March 12–18, 2026. Featuring a momentous Opening Night TV Premiere alongside an equally stellar slate of Feature Films, TV projects, and XR projects, the Film & TV Festival draws thousands of fans, creators, press, and industry leaders to celebrate inventive storytelling, cultural discovery, and boundary-pushing screen experiences.
The 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival’s Opening Night TV Premiere is the eagerly anticipated Apple TV series Margo’s Got Money Troubles from Emmy-winning producer David E. Kelley.
Based on the best-selling novel by Rufi Thorpe, Margo’s Got Money Troubles is a bold, heartwarming and comedic family drama featuring an all-star cast including Elle Fanning as Margo, a recent college dropout and aspiring writer who is forced to make her way with a new baby, a mounting pile of bills and a dwindling amount of ways to pay them, Michelle Pfeiffer and Nick Offerman as Margo’s ex-Hooter’s waitress mom and ex-pro-wrestler dad, alongside Nicole Kidman, Thaddea Graham, Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden, Oscar and Emmy Award-winner Greg Kinnear, Michael Angarano, Rico Nasty and Lindsey Normington. The series will premiere at SXSW ahead of its global debut on Apple TV on April 15, 2026.
“David E. Kelley’s Margo’s Got Money Troubles has pure SXSW energy and is the perfect match for our Opening Night TV Premiere slot,” said Claudette Godfrey, VP Film & TV. “Elle Fanning is absolutely magnetic as Margo, and Michelle Pfeiffer delivers a performance that reminds you why she’s an absolute legend. The mother-daughter dynamic these two create together is going to really get people talking. Nick Offerman will catch people completely off guard, as will the rest of the incredibly impressive cast. With its killer soundtrack, genuine heart, and sharp attitude and edge, this show captures the exact spirit that makes SXSW special and the bold, distinctive storytelling we love to open with!”
Feature films in the SXSW 2026 lineup screen in the following categories: Headliner; Narrative Feature Competition presented by Kickstarter; Documentary Feature Competition; Narrative Spotlight; Documentary Spotlight; Visions; Midnighter; Global presented by MUBI; 24 Beats Per Second, and Festival Favorite.
The TV program consists of TV Premiere and the Independent TV Pilot Competition. The SXSW 2026 Shorts Film Program will present six competitive sections: Narrative Short Competition, Documentary Short Competition, Animated Short Competition, Midnight Short Competition, Texas Short Competition, and Music Video Competition. XR Experience Competition, XR Spotlight and XR Special Event programming round out the Film & TV Festival program. All Categories will be eligible for section-specific Audience Awards.
Thus far, the 2026 Film & TV lineup includes 58 Features including 49 World Premieres, 3 North American Premieres, 3 U.S. Premiere, 2 Texas Premieres + 52 Short Films and 20 Music Videos. The TV Program includes 9 TV projects, with 3 TV premieres and 6 Independent TV Pilots. There are 29 projects in the XR Experience Program, including 17 in XR Experience Competition, 11 in XR Experience Spotlight and 1 XR Experience Special Event. The rest of the Film & TV Festival lineup will be announced in mid-February.
“We’re thrilled to unveil the first round of exciting projects joining our Opening Night Film, I Love Boosters for SXSW 2026!” said Claudette Godfrey, VP Film & TV. “From bold indies and can’t-miss studio events to genre-bending thrillers and sharp comedies, from revelatory documentaries and innovative series to immersive XR and international discoveries—this year’s program is packed with the kind of storytelling our audiences love. We can’t wait to welcome filmmakers and movie lovers to Austin for another remarkable year of screenings at SXSW!”
SXSW 2026 FILM PROGRAM
HEADLINER
Big names, big talent featuring red carpet premieres and gala film events with major and rising names in cinema.
I Love Boosters
Director/Screenwriter: Boots Riley, Producers: Aaron Ryder, Andrew Swett, Allison Rose Carter, Jon Read, Boots Riley
A crew of professional shoplifters take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven. It’s like community service. Cast: Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter, Demi Moore (World Premiere)
Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice
Director/Screenwriter: BenDavid Grabinski, Producer: Andrew Lazar
A hilarious, stylized, R-rated action-comedy about two gangsters and the woman they love trying to survive the most dangerous night of their lives. As if that wasn’t enough, there’s one wild ingredient added to the mix: a time machine. Cast: Vince Vaughn, James Marsden, Eiza González, Keith David, Jimmy Tatro, Stephen Root, Lewis Tan, Ben Schwartz, Emily Hampshire, Arturo Castro (World Premiere)
Over Your Dead Body
Director: Jorma Taccone, Producers: Kelly McCormick, David Leitch, Lee Kim, Guy Danella, Nick Spicer, Aram Tertzakian, Screenwriters: Nick Kocher, Brian McElhaney
A dysfunctional couple head to a remote cabin to supposedly reconnect, but each has secret plans to kill the other. Cast: Samara Weaving, Jason Segel, Timothy Olyphant, Juliette Lewis, Paul Guilfoyle, Keith Jardine (World Premiere)
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come
Directors: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, Producers: Tripp Vinson, James Vanderbilt, William Sherak, Bradley J. Fischer, Screenwriters: Guy Busick, R. Christopher Murphy
After surviving the Le Domas attack, Grace faces the next level of the deadly game – now with her estranged sister Faith. With four rival families hunting them, Grace must survive, protect her sister, and claim the High Seat that rules it all. Cast: Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Shawn Hatosy, Néstor Carbonell, David Cronenberg, Elijah Wood (World Premiere)
They Will Kill You
Director: Kirill Sokolov, Producers: Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, Dan Kagan, Screenwriters: Kirill Sokolov, Alex Litvak
A high-octane horror-action-comedy in which a woman must survive the night at the Virgil, a demonic cult’s mysterious, twisted death-trap, before becoming their next offering in a uniquely brazen battle of epic kills and wickedly dark humor. Cast: Zazie Beetz, Myha’La, Paterson Joseph, Tom Felton, Heather Graham, Patricia Arquette (World Premiere)
NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION Presented by Kickstarter
World premieres showcasing the art of storytelling by emerging voices.
Thank you to our sponsor Kickstarter, the leading crowdfunding and launch platform for creative projects of every size, for supporting the Narrative Feature Competition Film Screening section.
Brian
Director: Will Ropp, Producers: Thomas Mahoney, Casey Hanley, Will Ropp, Screenwriter: Mike Scollins
An acerbic high school student prone to panic attacks runs for class president to get closer to the teacher he’s hopelessly in love with. Cast: Ben Wang, William H. Macy, Edi Patterson, Randall Park, Natalie Morales, Joshua Colley, Sophia Macy, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Thomas Barbusca, Jacob Moskovitz (World Premiere)
Timid dork Edie accidentally makes waves when she starts a punk band with her fellow “turds,” becoming an icon to the rest of the losers at her Catholic school while pissing off the hot girls, the nuns, and the horniest altar boy you’ve ever seen. Cast: Adi Madden Cabrera, McKenna Tuckett, Cherish Rodriguez, Niki Rahimi, Alexa Paige, Luseane Pasa, Star Herrmann, Alana Mei Kern, Gabe Root, Lucas Van Orden (World Premiere)
An insecure young woman becomes convinced that she is being haunted by the ghost of her boyfriend’s ex-lover and muse. Cast: Arabella Oz, Nick Canellakis, Anjelica Bosboom, Delphi Harrington, Shahjehan Khan, Evangeline Beasley (World Premiere)
Plantman & Blondie: A Dress Up Gang Film
Director: Robb Boardman, Producers: Mark Ankner, Robb Boardman, Cory Loykasek, Donny Divanian, Frankie Quinones, Jay Patumanoan, Adam Karm, Ben Wagner, Screenwriters: Robb Boardman, Cory Loykasek, Donny Divanian, Frankie Quinones
A lonely man escapes working from home when he meets Plantman…a mysterious man saving the neglected house plants of Los Angeles. Cast: Cory Loykasek, Donny Divanian, Frankie Quinones, Kate Berlant, Blake Anderson, Kirk Fox, Brent Weinbach, Jamar Neighbors, Christian Duguay, Kevin Camia (World Premiere)
A struggling sous chef’s pursuit of stability is tested by the return of her estranged father, now living on the streets of Toronto. Cast: Aisha Evelyna, Ruth Goodwin, Brett Donahue, Joseph Marcell, Alden Adair (World Premiere)
Sender
Director/Screenwriter: Russell Goldman, Producers: Jamie Lee Curtis, Molly Hallam, Jake Katofsky
After receiving a series of unwanted packages containing unnervingly targeted items, a woman tumbles down a paranoid rabbit hole to find her mysterious sender. Cast: Britt Lower, Rhea Seehorn, Jamie Lee Curtis, Anna Baryshnikov, David Dastmalchian, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Mike Mitchell, Edward Torres, Alyssa Limperis, Inger Stratton (World Premiere)
The Snake (Canada)
Director: Jenna MacMillan, Producers: Sharlene Kelly, Melani Wood, Screenwriter: Susan Kent
When an ungovernable 40 something wild child collides with her venomous mother, her life blows up spectacularly leaving her newly evicted, partially single, and in bed with her best friend’s husband. Cast: Susan Kent, Robin Duke, Jonathan Torrens, Emma Hunter, Daniel Petronijevic, Jimbo, Kim Roberts, Kenny Robinson, Jacqueline Robbins, Joyce Robbins (World Premiere)
Wishful Thinking
Director/Screenwriter: Graham Parkes, Producers: Matt Smith, Dan Gedman, Kara Durrett, Lewis Pullman
When a volatile couple discovers their emotional state has supernatural consequences on the world around them, they must decide whether to fight for their relationship or accept that their powerful connection might be doing more harm than good. Cast: Lewis Pullman, Maya Hawke, Randall Park, Jake Shane, Kate Berlant, Amita Rao, Eric Rahill (World Premiere)
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITION
World premieres of captivating, real stories by emerging voices.
The Ascent
Directors: Edward Drake, Scott Veltri, Francis Cronin, Producers: Edward Drake, Scott Veltri
The Ascent is the inspiring true story of Colorado Springs bilateral-amputee climber Mandy Horvath’s record-breaking attempt to crawl to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the mysterious circumstances under which she lost her legs at the age of 21. Featuring Mandy Horvath, Julius John White aka ‘Whitey’, Carel Verhoef, Sally Grayson (World Premiere)
The Last Critic
Director: Matty Wishnow, Producers: Paul Lovelace, Ben Wu
Robert Christgau, The Dean of American Rock Critics, whose work has inspired & infuriated readers for sixty years, is still at it in his eighties—grading records, interrogating commas & listening to absolutely everything (except Metal & Prog). Featuring Robert Christgau, Carola Dibbell, Thurston Moore, Boots Riley, Randy Newman, Colson Whitehead, Ann Powers, Joe Levy, Amanda Petrusich, Greil Marcus (World Premiere)
When Washington legalizes human composting, entrepreneur Micah bets everything on a new vision of deathcare. With funeral directors Brie and Katey, he builds the first large-scale terramation facility, reshaping how we grieve and return to the Earth. (World Premiere)
My NDA
Directors: Juliane Dressner, Miriam Shor, Producers: Elizabeth Woodward, Hanna Gray Organschi, Juliane Dressner, Miriam Shor
Three people bound by non-disclosure agreements face extreme personal risk to expose how a simple intellectual property contract is weaponized to silence, manipulate and control. (World Premiere)
Phoenix Jones: The Rise and Fall of a Real Life Superhero
Director: Bayan Joonam, Producers: Claire Chubbuck, Marlowe Blue, Duncan Dickerson
Phoenix Jones is a real life superhero who fights crime on the streets of Seattle, but a recent arrest calls his motives into question. Featuring Phoenix Jones, Rainn Wilson, Jon Ronson, Midnight Jack, Freedom Fodor, Caros Fodor, Ryan McNamee, Ghost, Lance Coulter, El Caballero (World Premiere)
Stormbound
Director: Miko Lim, Producers: Trevor Jones, Miko Lim, Adam McKay, Todd Schulman, John Turner
Go inside the eye of the hurricane and the life of one of America’s top stormchasers. Utilizing a 30-year archive and a new storm season set to be deadlier than ever, Jeff Gammons’ search for the ultimate shot could see him chase his final storm. Featuring Jeff Gammons, Sara Gammons (World Premiere)
Summer 2000: The X-Cetra Story
Director: Ayden Mayeri, Producers/Screenwriters: Ayden Mayeri, Barry Rothbart
Four friends reunite when the album they made as pre-teens becomes a cult hit on the internet and scores a record deal twenty years later. Together, they revisit their friendship and early 2000s girlhood. Featuring Ayden Mayeri, Jessica Hall, Janet Kariuki, Mary Washburn, Robin O’Brien (World Premiere)
WhileBlack
Directors: Sidney Fussell, Jennifer Holness, Producers: Ann Shin, Mariam Bastani, Screenwriters: Ann Shin, Jennifer Holness, Sidney Fussell
Darnella Frazier, who filmed George Floyd’s death, steps forward in this powerful documentary on viral videos that ignited global movements revealing the cost of going viral while Black: trolls, surveillance, and platforms that profit from pain. Featuring Darnella Frazier, Diamond Reynolds, Matthew Cagle, Matthew Mitchell, Safiya Noble, Allissa Richardson (World Premiere)
NARRATIVE SPOTLIGHT
Unforgettable features receiving their World, North American, or U.S. premieres.
Campeón Gabacho tells the story of Liborio, a spirited Mexican migrant who fights, literally and figuratively, for a better life in the United States, punching through prejudice with heart, humor, and hope to become an unlikely hero. Cast: Juan Daniel García Treviño, Leslie Grace, Rubén Blades, Eddie Marsan, Rosario Dawson, Cheech Marin, Marvin Jones III, Carlos Carrasco, Dolores Heredia (World Premiere)
Downbeat
Director: Danny Madden, Producer: Benjamin Wiessner, Screenwriters: Danny Madden, Daniel Rashid, Addie Weyrich, Arkira Chantaratananond
Fleeing mistakes in Atlanta, Mauro crashes on his sister’s couch in Boston. He takes to bucket drumming on the streets for a way out, but can’t stop screwing things up and drawing everyone else into his own feral shortcomings. Cast: Daniel Rashid, Addie Weyrich, Arkira Chantaratananond (World Premiere)
Family Movie
Directors: Kyra Sedgwick, Kevin Bacon, Producers: Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Sosie Bacon, Travis Bacon, Vince Jolivette, Casey Durant, Greg Lauritano, Russell Wayne Groves, Screenwriter: Dan Beers
A filmmaking family’s low-budget horror movie turns into a real-life slasher when a dead body shows up on set. Chaos ensues as the Smiths fight to keep the production on track. After all – the show must go on! Cast: Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Sosie Bacon, Travis Bacon, Liza Koshy, John Carroll Lynch, Jackie Earle Haley, Andrea Savage, Austin Amelio, Scoot McNairy (World Premiere)
Forbidden Fruits
Director: Meredith Alloway, Producers: Mason Novick, Mary Anne Waterhouse, Diablo Cody, Trent Hubbard, Screenwriters: Meredith Alloway, Lily Houghton
Free Eden employee Apple leads a secret witch cult with coworkers Cherry and Fig. New hire Pumpkin questions their sisterhood, forcing them to confront inner darkness or meet violent ends. Cast: Lola Tung, Victoria Pedretti, Lili Reinhart, Alexandra Shipp, Emma Chamberlain, Gabrielle Union (World Premiere)
Mam (France)
Director: Nan Feix, Producer: Marine Garnier, Screenwriters: Nan Feix, Marine Garnier
A self-taught chef from Texas arrives in New York to open a Vietnamese restaurant. Broke but relentless, he teams up with a witty waitress, and together they cook up an unlikely journey of passion, resilience, and friendship in the city’s underbelly. Cast: Jerald Head, Nhung Dao Head, Tuan Bui, Henry Wong, Linh Phan, Lang A Nguyen, Maxence Victor, Kim Hoang, Naoto Ono, An Nguyen Xuan (U.S. Premiere)
Pizza Movie
Directors/Screenwriters: Brian McElhaney, Nick Kocher, Producers: Jeremy Garelick, Will Phelps, Billy Rosenberg, Jason Zaro, Molle DeBartolo, Max A. Butler
A group of college students go downstairs to their dorm lobby to get a delivery pizza. There’s only one issue: They’re insanely high on a home-made drug, turning their simple journey down two sets of stairs into a mind-bendingly transformative quest. Cast: Gaten Matarazzo, Sean Giambrone, Lulu Wilson, Jack Martin, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Marcus Scribner, Caleb Hearon, Sarah Sherman, Miguel-Andres Garcia, Justin Cooley (World Premiere)
Power Ballad
Director: John Carney, Producers: Anthony Bregman, John Carney, Peter Cron, Rebecca O’Flanagan, Robert Walpole, Screenwriters: John Carney, Peter McDonald
Power Ballad follows a talented but past-his-prime wedding singer and a young rockstar who uses the wedding singer’s songwriting prowess to revitalize his own career. Cast: Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunkett, Havana Rose Liu, Jack Reynor (North American Premiere)
Seekers of Infinite Love
Director/Screenwriter: Victoria Strouse, Producers: Dylan Sellers, Chris Parker, Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey
After learning their youngest sister has joined a traveling cult, three estranged siblings must come together to find and bring her back. Cast: Hannah Einbinder, Justin Theroux, John Paul Reynolds, Griffin Gluck, Justine Lupe, Greg Kinnear (World Premiere)
The Sun Never Sets
Director/Screenwriter: Joe Swanberg, Producers: Jake Johnson, Ashleigh Snead, Joe Swanberg, Dakota Fanning, Cory Michael Smith
Wendy’s life is thrown into chaos when her boyfriend, Jack, who is older and divorced with children, insists they take space to evaluate the relationship. During their break, Wendy runs into her ex, Chuck, forcing them into a volatile triangle. Cast: Dakota Fanning, Jake Johnson, Cory Michael Smith, Debby Ryan, Anna Konkle, Lamorne Morris, Karley Sciortino (World Premiere)
Their Town
Director: Katie Aselton, Producer: Mary Budd, Screenwriter: Mark Duplass
When Abby’s boyfriend drops out of the high school play, she finds herself helping a school outlier step into the role opposite her. They spend a long night wandering around their town, examining their futures and unearthing surprises from their past. Cast: Ora Duplass, Chosen Jacobs, Will Parker, Kim Shaw, Jeffery Self, Daveed Diggs, Leonardo Nam, Annie Henk, Brad LaBree (World Premiere)
DOCUMENTARY SPOTLIGHT
Incredible features receiving their World, North American, or U.S. premieres.
Adam’s Apple
Director: Amy Jenkins, Producers: Brit Fryer, Amy Jenkins, Screenwriter: Adam Sieswerda
A transgender teen and his mother chronicle their lives, artistically weaving a rare and intimate portrait of a family in transition. Two decades of footage trace a boy’s path to manhood and his parents’ vulnerability as they reckon with change. (World Premiere)
Amazing Live Sea Monkeys
Directors/Producers: Mark Becker, Aaron Schock
From her crumbling estate on the Potomac, Yolanda Signorelli battles to wrest control of her late husband Harold’s iconic toy Amazing Live Sea-Monkeys from the corporate men who stole them from her and from the stain of her husband’s dark legacy. (World Premiere)
From the flickering screens of Hollywood horror, to the haunted cane fields of colonial Haiti, Black Zombie unearths the buried origins of the zombie, reclaiming it as a symbol of survival and spiritual resistance. Featuring Yves-Grégory Francois, Anderson Mojica, Erol Josué, Mambo Labelle Déese Botanica, Slash, Tom Savini, Tananarive Due, Zandashé Brown (World Premiere)
Capturing Bigfoot
Director: Marq Evans, Producers: Tamir Ardon, Marq Evans, Nick Spicer
A reel of 16mm film locked away for over 50 years turns the Bigfoot debate on its head. Featuring Clint Patterson, Bob Gimlin, Bob Heironimus, Larry Lund, Greg Long, Vaile Thompson, Sandy Collier, Bill Munns, Teresa Brooks, Jeff Meldrum (World Premiere)
Ceremony (Canada)
Director/Producer: Banchi Hanuse
At ramshackled Nuxalk Radio in Bella Coola, an inquiry into the vanished ooligan run unravels a buried history of erasure and ignites the quiet revolution of a Nation that refuses to disappear. Featuring Megan F. Moody, Qwaxw Siwallace, Snuxyaltwa Deric Snow, Nuskmata Jacinda Mack, Q’umulha Schooner, Sunhwrna Schooner, Jason E. Moody, Snxakila Clyde Tallio, Kmalsuuncw Orden Mack, Tom Swanky (World Premiere)
Isaac “Drift” Wright, a self-taught photographer and Army veteran haunted by trauma, finds healing through breathtaking, illegal climbs of the world’s tallest structures. But his pursuit of art sparks a high-stakes battle with law enforcement in this intimate portrait of risk, resilience, and freedom in modern America. Featuring Isaac Wright (World Premiere)
My Brother’s Killer
Director: Rachel Mason, Producer: Dion Labriola
Impassioned members of the LGBTQ community band together to try to solve one of the most gruesome and mysterious murders in Los Angeles history. Featuring Christopher Rice, Eric Shaw Quinn, Clark Williams, ChiChi LaRue, Kevin Clarke, Krystal DeLight, Phil St. John, Sabin Grey, John Lamberti, Wendi Berndt (World Premiere)
Skyking
Director: Patricia Gillespie, Producer: Chris Cowen
Skyking tells the story of Richard “Beebo” Russell, a ground service agent who stole an airplane belonging to his employer, and took off on a flight that would come to embody the hopes, dreams, and despair of the American working class. (World Premiere)
The Way We Move
Directors/Screenwriters: Vanessa Dumont, Nicolas Davenel, Producers: Hubert Cornet, Mathieu Belghiti, Arnaud Le Guilcher, Eleonore Dailly, Edouard de Lachomette
Amber Galloway, a trailblazer in ASL interpretation, takes us on a journey into the deep bond between the Deaf world and music. We follow her as she teaches struggling recruits who she hopes will have what it takes to join her at ACL music festival. Featuring Amber Galloway, Julian Ortiz, Angela “AV” Villavong, Joshua Goertz (World Premiere)
MIDNIGHTER
Exciting after-dark features for genre lovers and the terminally curious.
“The 2026 SXSW Film & TV Midnighters represent so many different things of what we love about genre filmmaking,” said Peter Hall, SXSW Senior Film & TV Festival Programmer. “They’re scary, but still wildly entertaining. They’ve got dark senses of humor without sacrificing heart. They’re creative, unexpected and usher in a new round of filmmakers we are going to be proud to call alums.”
American Dollhouse
Director/Screenwriter: John Valley, Producers: David Axe, Samuel Butler, Shane Greb
Caught between a grotesque Christmas fantasy and her own childhood trauma, a woman’s search for a fresh start in her home town is violently interrupted by a psychopathic neighbor. Cast: Hailley Lauren, Kelsey Pribilski, Tinus Seaux, Danielle Evon Ploeger, Richard C. Jones (World Premiere)
A routine robbery at a rural house turns into a nightmare for two amateur burglars when one of them throws out her back. Things spiral out of control as they try to escape before the homeowner returns. Cast: Lizzy Caplan, Lucy DeVito, John Stamos, Christine Ko (World Premiere)
Fifteen (Argentina, Mexico)
Directors: Jack Zagha, Yossy Zagha, Producers: Jack Zagha, Yossy Zagha, Elsa Reyes, Valentín Javier Diment, Vanesa Pagani, Screenwriters: Andrzej Rattinger, Ricardo Álvarez Canales
A Mexican girl’s quinceañera spirals into chaos when supernatural rumors and small-town gossip collide, forcing her to face adulthood sooner than expected. Cast: Greta Marti, Macarena Oz, Aminta Ireta, Martha Claudia Moreno, Enrique Arreola, Mercedes Hernández, Malena Sandy, Cloe Juresa Furgan, Andre Fajardo, Silvia Villazur (World Premiere)
Grind
Directors: Brea Grant, Ed Dougherty, Chelsea Stardust, Producer: Chelsea Stardust, Screenwriters: Brea Grant, Ed Dougherty
Four interconnected tales of workplace horror tackle the most terrifying aspect of modern life: making a living! With a wild tone as darkly comic as it is relevant, Grind is the most fun you’ll have in a late stage capitalistic hellscape. Cast: Rob Huebel, Barbara Crampton, Vinny Thomas, Jessika Van, Christopher Rodriguez-Marquette, James Urbaniak, Courtney Pauroso, Jon Gabrus, Ify Nwadiwe, Aubrey Shea (World Premiere)
Imposters
Director/Screenwriter: Caleb J Phillips, Producers: Thomas Bond, Sara Seligman, Joe Bandelli
After a couple’s baby boy is taken, the desperate mother learns of a way to bring him back. However, her husband begins to suspect that what she returned with isn’t their son. Cast: Jessica Rothe, Charlie Barnett, Yul Vazquez, Bates Wilder, Luisina Quarleri, Thomas Parobek, Ian Lyons, Taylor Karin, Lee Bennett, Declan Bennett (World Premiere)
Monitor
Directors/Screenwriters: Matt Black, Ryan Polly, Producers: Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Isaac Klausner, John Fischer, Adrian Guerra
A social media moderator unleashes a deadly terror when she refuses to publish a cryptic video. Cast: Brittany O’Grady, Taz Skylar, Viveik Karla, Ines Høysæter Asserson, Gunner Willis, Sara Alexander, Camila Wahlgren (World Premiere)
Never After Dark (Japan)
Director/Screenwriter: Dave Boyle, Producers: Dave Boyle, Kento Kaku, Kosuke Tsutsumi
A medium travels deep into the Japanese countryside to perform a routine exorcism, where she is forced to confront the most terrifying enemy of all: the living. Cast: Moeka Hoshi, Kento Kaku, Kurumi Inagaki, Mutsuo Yoshioka, Bokuzo Masana, Tae Kimura (World Premiere)
FESTIVAL FAVORITE
Acclaimed standouts from festivals around the world.
The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist
Directors: Daniel Roher, Charlie Tyrell, Producers: Jonathan Wang, Daniel Kwan, Shane Boris, Diane Becker, Ted Tremper
A father-to-be tries to figure out what is happening with the AI insanity, exploring the existential dangers and stunning promise of this technology that humanity has created. (Texas Premiere)
Erupcja
Director: Pete Ohs, Producers: Pete Ohs, Charli xcx, Luke Arreguin, Jeremy O. Harris, Josh Godfrey, Screenwriters: Pete Ohs, Charli xcx, Lena Góra, Jeremy O. Harris, Will Madden
Set in Poland, Erupcja follows two women as they complicate their romantic lives. Nel lives in Warsaw where she works at a flower shop. When her childhood friend Bethany comes to visit with a new boyfriend, a volcano erupts. Cast: Charli xcx, Lena Góra, Jeremy O. Harris, Will Madden (U.S. Premiere)
Obsession
Director/Screenwriter: Curry Barker, Producers: James Harris, Haley Nicole Johnson, Christian Mercuri, Roman Viaris
After breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price. Cast: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, Andy Richter
See You When I See You
Director: Jay Duplass, Producers: Fred Bernstein, Jay Duplass, Kumail Nanjiani, Emily V. Gordon, Adam Cayton-Holland, Screenwriter: Adam Cayton-Holland
With the help of his family, a comedy writer battles PTSD after the tragic death of his sister. Cast: Cooper Raiff, David Duchovny, Kaitlyn Dever, Hope Davis, Lucy Boynton, Ariela Barer (Texas Premiere)
VISIONS
Audacious, risk-taking artists who demonstrate innovation and creativity.
And Her Body Was Never Found
Director: Polaris Banks, Producers: Polaris Banks, Mor Cohen, Hilarion Banks, Screenwriters: Polaris Banks, Mor Cohen
A couple treks deep into the wilderness to make a movie about their troubled relationship, but takes the opportunity to kill each other instead. Cast: Mor Cohen, Polaris Banks, Grae Drake (World Premiere)
Daughters of the Forest: Mycelium Chronicles (Mexico)
Director/Screenwriter: Otilia Portillo Padua, Producers: Paula Arroio, Elena Fortes, Otilia Portillo Padua
Deep in Mexico’s forests, this immersive sci-fi doc follows the unusual, fungi-driven paths of two indigenous mycologists as they seek to reconcile the past and present while reimagining the future for themselves and the changing world they inhabit. Featuring Eliseete Ramirez Carbajal, Julieta Serafina Amaya, Julia Dolores Raimundo, Zenaida Perez, Magdalena Martínez, Olivia Ayala (North American Premiere)
24 BEATS PER SECOND
Vibrant films showcasing the sounds, culture and influence of music and musicians.
Los Lobos Native Sons
Directors/Screenwriters: Doug Blush, Piero F. Giunti, Producers: Robert Corsini, Doug Blush, Piero F. Giunti, Flavio Morales, Rafael Augustin, Patricia Harris DiLeva
Los Lobos Native Sons is the definitive chronicle of the global Latin rock ’n’ roll legends Los Lobos, offering an unparalleled 50-year musical journey through exclusive access to the band’s personal archives and extraordinary legacy. Featuring Cesar Rosas, Louie Perez, David Hidalgo, Conrad Lozano, Steve Berlin, Linda Ronstadt, Tom Waits, George Lopez, Cheech Marin, Danny Elfman (World Premiere)
We Are The Shaggs
Director/Screenwriter: Ken Kwapis, Producers: Reynolds Anderson, Jeremy Seifert
We Are The Shaggs is a music documentary about The Shaggs, an all-girl band that created some of the most provocative and polarizing music in rock-and-roll history. Featuring Dorothy Wiggin, Betty Wiggin (World Premiere)
GLOBAL Presented by MUBI
Artful international films, featuring premieres, festival favorites, and more.
Thank you to our sponsor, MUBI: the global streaming service, production company and film distributor dedicated to elevating great cinema, from iconic directors to emerging auteurs.
“The SXSW Global program has always showcased audacious, fearless creativity from an international perspective and this year is no exception. These first three features include a world premiere from Mexico by a Global alum and debuts from France/Lebanon/Germany/Qatar and the Dominican Republic, said Jim Kolmar, SXSW Consulting Film Programmer. “Each of these documentaries paint well outside conventional lines, taking bold artistic risks to convey deeply personal stories with vibrant conviction. It’s a privilege to introduce this first wave of international titles.”
Do You Love Me (Lebanon)
Director: Lana Daher, Producers: Jean-Laurent Csinidis, Lana Daher, Screenwriter: Lana Daher, Qutaiba Barhamji
Welcome to Beirut. Disorientation is part of the journey. (U.S. Premiere)
Mickey (Mexico)
Director: Dano García, Producers: Dano García, Indira Cato, Joceline Hernandez, Alejandra Guevara Castillo, Christian Giraud, Screenwriters: Dano García, Tonatiuh Israel
A journey through self-perception and the anti-punitive confrontation of the past. Featuring Mis$ Mickey, Jesse Sakeri López, Arturo Cundapí Bustamante, Angélica María Bustamante Andrews, Loreto Pozos Trejo, Javier Lizárraga Contreras, David Allegre (World Premiere)
Director: Paula Cury, Producers: Paula Cury, Samuel Didonato, Screenwriters: Claudia Galeano, Paula Cury
What does it mean to be a woman in a country where abortion is banned in all circumstances? (North American Premiere)
SXSW 2026 TV PROGRAM
TV PREMIERE
World premieres of prestige TV series premieres from acclaimed showrunners and directors.
The Audacity
Showrunner/Screenwriter: Jonathan Glatzer, Director: Lucy Forbes, Producer: Gina Mingacci
A would-be tech titan and his therapist play dangerous games with privacy while trying to find happiness. Cast: Billy Magnussen, Sarah Goldberg, Zach Galifianakis, Lucy Punch, Simon Helberg, Rob Corddry, Meaghan Rath, Paul Adelstein (World Premiere)
Margo’s Got Money Troubles
Showrunner/Screenwriter: David E. Kelley, Directors: Dearbhla Walsh, Kate Herron, Producers: David E. Kelley, Elle Fanning, Dakota Fanning, Nicole Kidman, Matt Tinker, Brittany Kahan Ward, Per Saari, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rufi Thorpe, Eva Anderson, Boo Killebrew
Margo’s Got Money Troubles is a bold, heartwarming, and comedic family drama following recent college dropout and aspiring writer Margo as she’s forced to make her way with a new baby, a mounting pile of bills, and a dwindling amount of ways to pay them. Cast: Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer, Nick Offerman, Thaddea Graham, Nicole Kidman, Greg Kinnear, Marcia Gay Harden, Michael Angarano, Rico Nasty, Lindsey Normington (World Premiere)
Monsters of God
Showrunner: Jeremy McBride, Director: Eric Goode, Producers: Tom Petersen, James Liu, Callie Barlow, Lissa Rivera, Charles Divak, Adrienne Gits, Daniel Johnson, Screenwriters: Jeremy McBride, Eric Goode, Tom Petersen
A group of reptile fanatics builds a global smuggling empire, while a scrappy team of animal cops risks everything to stop them. (World Premiere)
INDEPENDENT TV PILOT COMPETITION
Discover new pilots from indie talent.
Are We Still Married?
Showrunner/Director/Screenwriter: Kit Steinkellner, Producer: Barry Galperin
Over the course of one night Laura must decide if she will invite her husband Jack, who has recently been turned into a vampire, back into their house. Cast: Taylor Misiak, Dustin Milligan (World Premiere)
A rookie doula is thrust into her first birth with a mother she’s never met. After a rocky start, she quickly learns supporting women through labor is messier, funnier, and more profound than any training could have prepared her for. Cast: Hannah Shealy, Madeline Wise, Danny Deferrari, Evelyn Howe, Peter Jay Fernandez, Sohina Sidhu, Katherine George, LA Head
After getting fired, dysfunctional twin brothers secretly apply for the same position and fly to New York to compete against each other, only to have their crippling codependency sabotage their chances. Cast: Wade McElhaney, Weston McElhaney, Riley Sigler, Rhoda Bell, Josie Totah, Lola Berry, Payson Mitchell, Alex Tobias, Eliot, Edgar Garcia (World Premiere)
Cold Call
Showrunner/Director: Elise Kibler, Producer: Manon Blackman, Screenwriter: Emma Lenderman
Cold Call is a twisted dark comedy about a cult of office workers attempting to return to their home planet by scamming strangers out of credit card information, and Penny, the office superstar, on the day a caller threatens to force her off script. Cast: Emma Lenderman, Gabriel Ebert, Daniel Pearce, Amelia Workman (World Premiere)
In My Blood
Showrunner/Director/Screenwriter: Alex Bendo, Producers: Alex Bendo, Yumeng Han, Elias Putnam, Max Wilson, Jorge Sistos Moreno
Desperate to live up to his father’s expectations, a talented but inconsistent minor league baseball player turns to steroids, igniting a dangerous transformation of body and mind.
Cast: Daniel Diemer, Will Chase, Ian Blackman, William Hill (World Premiere)
Son of a Bikram
Showrunners/Screenwriters: Ash T, Johnny Rey Diaz, Director: Johnny Rey Diaz, Producers: Johnny Rey Diaz, Christian Rose, Ash T
After discovering he’s the illegitimate son of yoga guru Bikram Choudhury, an office worker is thrust into a heated identity crisis, desperate to connect with the father he never knew.
Cast: Ash T, Carlos Santos, Jeffrey Nicholas Brown, Vee Kumari, Anwar Molani, Zhaleh, David Chernyavsky, Melanie Johnson, Max Cutler, Matthew Peschio (World Premiere)
SHORT PROGRAM Presented by Vimeo
Thank you to our Shorts Program Presenting sponsor, Vimeo: the premier home for video professionals and the best short films on the internet.
“This year’s shorts program reflects how absurdity has become our shared language for making sense of the world,” said Francis Román, SXSW Senior Film & TV Festival Programming Manager and Gabe Van Amburgh, SXSW Senior Manager Film & TV Programming. “When reality seems stranger than fiction, these filmmakers turn to the surreal to capture what it truly feels like to be human right now. We’re incredibly proud to champion these storytellers as they lean into the unusual, and sometimes uncomfortable, taking you on a wild ride where bodies revolt, identities fracture, and intimacy gets redefined. Through it all, these films dig at deeper truths and help us find connection in the chaos.”
NARRATIVE SHORT COMPETITION
Exceptional storytelling that captivates, surprises, and excites.
Achiever
Director: Charlie Traisman, Producers: Katherine Romans, Sarah Whelden, Elizabeth Valenti, Chelsea Pace, Screenwriter: Claire McFadden
When Alexa finds she can no longer orgasm due to her new Lexapro prescription, she embarks on a desperate journey to get off by any means possible, only to find herself “getting close” through an unexpected connection. (World Premiere)
Best Friends with the Devil
Director/Screenwriter: Hugo De Sousa, Producers: April S. Chang, Vicki Syal, Sarah Whelden, Kelly Wilcox
Lola’s looking for her best friend. A stranger offers to help. One lie changes everything. (World Premiere)
Buah (Singapore)
Director/Screenwriter: Jen Nee Lim, Producer: Ke Ning Lee
In a time and place where abortion is illegal, a pregnant woman’s repeated attempts to end her pregnancy fail until she crosses paths with a strange bus driver. (Texas Premiere)
Can I Put You On Hold
Director: James Cutler, Producer: Jack Hessler, Screenwriter: James Cutler, Matthew Cutler
A man struggles with the crushing bureaucracy of immigration as he waits on hold with his immigration lawyer, trying to keep hope alive for his future with his fiancée, only to face a devastating setback that forces him to reconsider everything. (World Premiere)
Copy, Save
Director/Screenwriter: Alyssa Loh, Producers: Katherine Romans, Charlie Traisman, Jessica Li
When two teen sisters discover each other’s secret internet cash schemes, they’re forced to confront the murky morals of their digital lives. (World Premiere)
At her mother’s funeral, the eldest daughter challenges the patriarchal traditions of her rural Taiwanese family, confronting loss and the quiet burden of duty. (World Premiere)
Marta lives in a religious student residence affiliated with the far-right. Sexual misinformation leads her to seek the morning-after pill, while her colleagues prepare an unforgettable hazing. (World Premiere)
When a trans college student learns the girl she idolizes is sleeping with their teaching assistant, she takes drastic steps to emulate her. (Texas Premiere)
I Saw You In The Flood
Director/Screenwriter: Kevin Xian Ming Yu, Producers: Shayan Ajmal Farooq, Camila Grimaldi, Kevin Xian Ming Yu
As their grandfather’s health worsens in Northeast China, Kai, a genderqueer Chinese-American in Queens, is visited by a familiar ghost while helping their mother, Li, deal with a heavy storm. (World Premiere)
Imago
Director/Screenwriter: Ariel Zengotita, Producers: Juan J. Arroyo, Colt Kozal, Sonia Rivera
When Ana’s mom starts transforming into a bug, their codependent relationship reaches its boiling point. (U.S. Premiere)
Marga en el DF
Director/Screenwriter: Gabriela Ortega, Producers: Karla Luna Cantu, Carlos Lopez Estrada, Natalia Gonzalez, Eugenio Valero, Glenn Kiser, Amanda Schneider
A Dominican woman’s life unravels at 21 weeks pregnant during a surprise visit to Mexico City in the aftermath of Selena Quintanilla’s murder. (Texas Premiere)
A Shot at Art (Netherlands)
Director/Screenwriter: Ilke Paddenburg, Producers: Layla Meijman, Maarten van der Ven, Marcelle Bartels
When two seasoned volunteers at an international art festival start participating in a highly controversial art installation, the situation spirals completely out of control… but who was actually crossing the line here? (North American Premiere)
Souvenir (Australia)
Director/Screenwriter: Renée Marie Petropoulos, Producer: Yingna Lu
While stuck on a family vacation, a young closeted teen must confront the unnerving hold her girlfriend has over her after she takes unwarranted photos of her during sex. (North American Premiere)
Stairs
Director/Screenwriter: Riley Donigan, Producers: Anton Vicente Kliot, Sam Callahan
A woman’s life unravels after she becomes addicted to throwing herself down flights of stairs. (Texas Premiere)
A lonely man’s obsession with an online mukbang livestreamer leads to a tense confrontation with an unsuspecting dinner guest. (World Premiere)
Talk Me (Spain)
Director/Screenwriter: Joecar Hanna, Producers: Joecar Hanna, María Belén Poncio, Patricia Picazo, Mai Batalla, Lina Badenes, Ana Camacho
In a world where words replace intimacy, a local outsider in a Spanish village must choose between a loveless marriage and the promise of true connection with a kindred stranger.
(U.S. Premiere)
Them That’s Not
Director/Screenwriter: Mekhai Lee, Producers: Charles Hopkins, Redd Coltrane
A sudden prison furlough unexpectedly bonds an estranged father with his emotionally avoidant daughter at their matriarch’s repass. (Texas Premiere)
A young woman in the throes of early pregnancy starts to question her own reality when strange things begin to happen to the people closest to her. (World Premiere)
Vomit
Director/Screenwriter: Roi Cydulkin, Producers: EJ Argenio, Roi Cydulkin, Miles Skinner
Wildcard addict on the run from trouble shows up bloodied and battered at the door of his home health aide ex-girlfriend, turning both their lives upside down in this super dark comedy about love, death, drugs, and ferrets. (World Premiere)
In a crumbling Indian town, three retired men stage a protest against machines taking over human jobs, by pretending to be household appliances. (North American Premiere)
DOCUMENTARY SHORT COMPETITION
Authentic storytelling that captivates, surprises, and excites.
Air Horse One (Belgium, Switzerland)
Director/Screenwriter: Lasse Linder, Producers: Philipp Ritler, Valentin Leblanc, Delphine Duez
Training, Take-Off, Grand Prix. Legacy is one of the most valuable and celebrated horses in show jumping. In pursuit of victories, she is flown between competition venues across the globe. (North American Premiere)
Divorce Resort
Director: Coby Becker, Producers: Marco Meily, Alana Saad, Coby Becker
Married in a country where divorce is prohibited, a 72-year-old lovelorn man finds a legal loophole requiring a seven-day stay on the island of Guam. As he wanders through this tropical limbo, he reckons with his loss and newfound freedom. (World Premiere)
Eructation
Director: Victoria Trow, Producer: Jeremy Schneier
The world record for loudest female burp is 107.3 decibels. Kaylee wants to beat it.
Amid Iceland’s melting glaciers, modular synthesis artist Colloboh records the dying rhythms of ice and sea, uncovering a living language within nature itself – a requiem for the planet and for us. (World Premiere)
He’s Out There
Directors/Producers: Kurt Andrew Schneider, Sam Davis
An Autistic Bigfoot hunter meets his heroes. (World Premiere)
Filmmaker Kiriko Mechanicus writes letters to a young mass shooter to find the root of their mutual obsession for one another. (World Premiere)
I Got My Brother
Director: Victor K. Gabriel, Producer: Rachel Earnest
Two brothers reflect on their candid and often humorous memories of surviving the foster care system and prison, realizing along the way that their path to healing has always been each other. (World Premiere)
A Filipino mother finds comfort in her Alexa — weather updates, love songs, and the time back home become a magical link to the Philippines, gently reflecting the quiet struggles of immigration and the comforts that sustain us. (World Premiere)
A New Inferno
Directors/Producers: Nita Blum-Reddick, Jonathan Pickett
Filmed during the hottest days of Phoenix, Arizona’s summer heatwave, A New Inferno follows paramedics as they race to save the lives of heatstroke victims using a radical new treatment: ice immersion therapy. (World Premiere)
Not Scared, Just Sad (Bulgaria, Lebanon)
Director: Isabelle Mecattaf, Producers: Kamen Velkovsky, Atilla Yücer, Diane Daccache
November 2024, as the war escalates in a nearby suburb, a family in Beirut tries to live as normally as possible. (U.S. Premiere)
Welcome to Mississauga where lawns are clipped, neighbors are watchful and no blade of grass dares misbehave. Except at Wolf Ruck’s place. His lawn grows wild, and so does the trouble. (World Premiere)
The Navajo language is spoken less often across generations. However, its resilience continues through a small Navajo radio station, the director’s family members, and the people of the Navajo Nation. (Texas Premiere)
ANIMATED SHORT COMPETITION
A whirlwind tour of hand drawn, stop-motion, and digital revelries.
Hag (United Kingdom)
Director: Anna Ginsburg, Producer: Becky Perryman, Screenwriters: Anna Ginsburg, Miranda Latimer
One woman’s search for love and meaning in a hellscape of waning fertility, dating apps and the rotten stench of the patriarchy. In a world where being yourself makes you monstrous, what is the cost of compromise and repressing your authentic self? (World Premiere)
Im Auto Tapes und Butterbrot (Germany)
Director/Screenwriter: Kiana Naghshineh, Producers: Henrik von Müller, Antoine Liétout, Ivan Zuber, Kiana Naghshineh
In the face of her body fading into stardust, Shari realizes what truly matters to her.
(North American Premiere)
In The Beginning (Poland, Portugal, Spain)
Director: Ala Nunu, Producers: Bruno Caetano, Bruno Simões, Carlota Pou, Marcin Podolec, Screenwriters: Ala Nunu, Sophie Colfer
A spaceprobe called Beresheet, legless birds of paradise, hamster cull and humanity trying to make the world make sense. (World Premiere)
Paper Trail
Director/Producer/Screenwriter: Don Hertzfeldt
A life, seen through paper. (Texas Premiere)
Praying Mantis (Taiwan)
Director: Joe Hsieh, Producer: Yonfan, Screenwriters: Joe Hsieh, Jie Zhan
A praying mantis mutant seduces and preys on men out of desperation to save her child. A failed mission led to revelations of her past and dark secrets as the story unfolds.
(U.S. Premiere)
Tell Me When You Get Home
Director/Screenwriter: Tshay, Producers: Sydney Rodriguez, Jackie Payton, Patrice Worthy
During a reggae house party, 15-year-old Honest Cardamom encounters the spirit of a lost loved one. (World Premiere)
What We Leave Behind (Canada)
Directors/Producers/Screenwriters: Jean-Sébastien Hamel, Alexandra Myotte
Dan has a gaping hole in his neck that won’t heal. Why? He can’t remember, nor talk about it. Back in the sinister arena of his childhood, he must find the part of himself he once left behind that prevents him, now an adult, from being whole. (U.S. Premiere)
MIDNIGHT SHORT COMPETITION
Indulge your cravings for horror, gore, and dark comedy.
Jealous People Are Ugly People (United Kingdom)
Director/Screenwriter: Theo James Krekis, Producer: Isabel Pritchard-Smith
Consumed by his jealousy of his best friend’s sudden career success, Vasilly’s resentment festers, feeding a dark, supernatural force within him. (International Premiere)
A dying man seeks the ultimate release: birth in reverse. (World Premiere)
Mantis Stream! Like & Subscribe
Directors/Screenwriters: Lincoln Robisch, Sarah Maerten, Producer: Mark Neil
A livestreamer’s boyfriend chokes to death on an egg. His friends, family, paramedics and the police performatively profit off of his suffering as his life fades away. (Texas Premiere)
The Seeing Eye Dog Who Saw Too Much
Director/Screenwriter: Eric Jackowitz, Producer: Colton Mastro
A blind violinist ascends to first chair at the Rome Symphony, just as a black-gloved killer begins stalking the orchestra. The only witness to the murders is her loyal seeing-eye dog.
A woman’s sexual fantasy is fulfilled – with surprising ramifications. (World Premiere)
Tongue (Korea, Republic of)
Director/Producer/Screenwriter: Lim Da Seul
After enduring her husband’s incessant chatter, a wife finally decides to cut out his tongue. (North American Premiere)
Wax (Canada)
Director/Screenwriter: Alexandre Forgues, Producer: Hanna Donato
With finals approaching, a university student ignores a growing ear infection, spiraling into psychological distress as the pressure mounts. (World Premiere)
TEXAS SHORT COMPETITION
Vibrant work filmed in, inspired by, or connected to the Lone Star State.
Doris and Dan’s lives are full of dancing, sex, and other intimate pleasures as they defy traditional expectations of how we can embrace life, death, and aging. (World Premiere)
Activists in Texas fight back against Prop A, a measure targeting those who help others seek abortions across state lines. As legal risks grow, so does their determination to protect access and bodily autonomy. (World Premiere)
Una Nave Fragil / A Fragile Vessel
Director: Samuel Díaz Fernández, Producer: Ái Vuong, Screenwriters: Samuel Díaz Fernández, Ái Vuong, Rafa V Fernando
As the world around them scorches under record heat, a family walks into the woods, asking what the future holds in this thermal dystopia. Their conversations map survival in a world reshaped by heat. (World Premiere)
Shut The Fuck Up When We Speak
Director: Ryan Darbonne
Five Black musicians reflect on art, identity, and the radical act of making noise in a world that wants them silent. (Texas Premiere)
Stalin Boys
Directors: Ora DeKornfeld, Bianca Giaever, Producers: Alejandra Vasquez, Ora DeKornfeld, Bianca Giaever
Four middle-school boys in a Texas border town have developed an unusual obsession: Joseph Stalin. When they hear about the Texas State History Fair, they write a play about the Soviet dictator and his efforts to destroy all who opposed him. (Texas Premiere)
Winter Ceremony
Director/Screenwriter: Sidi Wang, Producers: Santiago Pacheco, Erik Skattum
In a Texas winter, a long-divorced Chinese couple comes together for their daughter’s college graduation. (World Premiere)
About SXSW Film & TV Festival
Now in its 33rd year, SXSW Film & TV Festival brings together creatives of all stripes to experience a diverse lineup and access to the music and comedy festivals plus conference sessions with visionaries from all corners of the entertainment, media, and technology industries.
About SXSW
SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is known worldwide for conferences and festivals that celebrate the convergence of technology, film and television, music, education, comedy and culture. The annual event serves global professionals through sessions, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and networking that consistently generates unexpected discoveries when diverse communities come together. SXSW 2026 runs March 12-18 in downtown Austin, preceded by SXSW EDU March 9-12. Learn more at sxsw.com.
Sara Waisglass and Chase Hudson discuss their new romantic comedy, Tubi’s How To Lose A Popularity Contest, in this interview with Mama’s Geeky.
If you grew up in the late 90s or early 2000s, you know the specific magic of a high school rom-com. There was a certain vibe – a mix of low-stakes drama, incredible soundtracks, and leads with chemistry so crackling you could feel it through the screen. Lately, it feels like we’ve been in a bit of a rom-com drought, or worse, stuck in a cycle of formulaic movies that lack that organic heart.
That is exactly why Rachel Tolleson from Mama’s Geeky was so thrilled to sit down with Chase Hudson and Sara Waisglass. Their new film, How To Lose A Popularity Contest, feels like a love letter to the genre’s golden age. From the moment the interview began, it was clear that this wasn’t just another project for them; it was a chance to bring back a style of storytelling that audiences have been craving.
A Script That Stands Out
The first thing that strikes you about this film is the quality of the writing. In an era where many teen films feel like they were generated by an algorithm, Sara Waisglass was immediately struck by the authenticity of this script.
“I feel like I haven’t seen a rom-com that’s like blown me away with like a script like this for a long time,” Sara shared enthusiastically. “Genuinely, it kind of feels like nowadays things have kind of all felt very formulaic… but this is like a low-stakes sort of fun rom-com.”
The low stakes she mentions is actually a high compliment. It means the movie focuses on the things that matter: the characters, the dialogue, and the evolution of a relationship. The film features a contentious beginning between the two leads – a classic trope we all love – that slowly and realistically shifts into something deeper.
Chemistry: The Ingredient You Can’t Fake
You can have the best script in the world, but if your leads don’t click, the movie falls flat. Thankfully, Chase Hudson and Sara Waisglass have chemistry in spades, and they attribute it to a very real friendship built on set.
Sara explained that the bond was incredibly organic, though it started with a healthy dose of “nervousness from both of us.” However, the intense nature of a film set acts like a pressure cooker for friendships. “One day on set is like two weeks of getting to know someone in real life because you are so in each other’s faces,” she joked.
Chase echoed this sentiment, revealing a touching moment from the end of production. When Sara asked him what he would miss most about the shoot, his answer wasn’t the craft services or the fancy lights – it was simply “talking behind the scenes.” That level of comfort translates directly to the screen. As Chase puts it, “Chemistry is something you can’t fake. You’re either going to click with someone, and it’s going to show, or you’re not.”
The “Geeky” Details: D&D and Carnival Chaos
For the fans who love the behind-the-scenes stories, the duo didn’t disappoint. When asked about their favorite filming days, the conversation turned to the “Carnival Day.” While Chase had to endure the classic rom-com rite of passage – getting pied in the face – he still cited it as a highlight.
“Seeing Aiden get the dunk tank and then us going down the slide together… it was really fun,” Chase recalled. He even shared a sweet personal moment: his parents were on set that day, watching him play the carnival games and hit the bell with the high-striker hammer.
Sara, on the other hand, geeked out over the Dungeons & Dragons scenes. “The D&D stuff was so much fun,” she said. “We had two people who actually played it, so we were learning too.” It’s those little details – the hobbies and subcultures of the characters – that make the world of How To Lose A Popularity Contest feel lived-in and real.
The Eight-Minute One-Take
Perhaps the most exciting part of this interview is the discussion of the film’s opening. Originally planned as three separate scenes, the production decided to get ambitious and film it as one continuous shot.
Imagine the coordination required: the actors had to walk down stairs, navigate crowded hallways, move into different rooms, enter the cafeteria, and perform perfectly timed interactions – like bumping hips or performing specific handshakes – all while delivering their lines.
“Each take was like eight minutes long,” Sara explained. “Everyone had to be perfect. It was like a short play.”
The intensity led to some hilarious mishaps, including a moment where an actor (Aiden) threw a card at Sara that “literally sliced her face,” causing them to dissolve into giggles. While they eventually had to make one small technical cut to ensure perfection, the sequence remains a testament to the cast’s dedication and the director’s vision.
How To Lose A Popularity Contest is the breath of fresh air the genre needs. It’s a movie that understands its roots in the early 2000s but brings a modern, authentic energy to the screen. With Chase and Sara leading the charge, we’re expecting plenty of laughs, a few “aww” moments, and a lot of heart.
About How To Lose A Popularity Contest
Overachiever Ellie teams with slacker Nate to sabotage her ex in the class election, but unexpected sparks threaten her meticulously laid plans.
How To Lose A Popularity Contest will premiere exclusively on Tubi on Friday January 16, 2026.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms welcomes fans back to Westeros, this time telling a simpler, intimate, and sweet tale of Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg.
Returning to the world of Westeros is a feeling I can only describe as coming home, albeit to a home where the furniture is occasionally on fire, and the neighbors are constantly plotting each other’s demise. As a fan of both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, I was absolutely thrilled when A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms was announced, and was waiting with bated breath to finally dive in.
Unlike many fans, I haven’t actually read the novellas by George R.R. Martin, so I entered this experience having no idea what I was in for. Well, for the most part. I was aware that this series takes place between the dragon-heavy tragedy of the Targaryen civil war and the eventual fall of the Iron Throne, but I went in expecting a significantly more laid-back story. I anticipated a gentle stroll through the Seven Kingdoms during a rare era of relative peace, and for the first few episodes, that is exactly the charming, grounded atmosphere I was given.
The heart of this series, and the reason I found myself instantly hooked, is the portrayal of Ser Duncan the Tall, affectionately known as Dunk. Peter Claffey brings an incredible warmth and sincerity to the role that I think will make viewers fall in love with him almost immediately.
We meet Dunk at a vulnerable crossroads; his master has just passed away, leaving him alone in a world that isn’t always kind to hedge knights with no high-born name. I found it so refreshing to follow a protagonist who is genuinely sweet, innocent, and inherently good. In a franchise known for its cynical anti-heroes, Dunk is a man who stands up for what is right simply because it is the right thing to do. He is the kind of knight anyone would be proud to serve, and Claffey plays that earnestness with a depth that makes Dunk feel like a beacon of light in the often-dark landscape of Westeros.
One aspect of the production that I found particularly nostalgic was the setting of the tournament. Because this story centers on a specific event rather than the fate of the entire continent, the scale feels much more intimate. There are no sprawling stone castles or iron-clad fortresses here; instead, the set is a vibrant, bustling meadow filled with colorful tents and stalls selling various goods.
I loved seeing the tournament logistics play out because it reminded me so much of attending Renaissance Faires with my family growing up. I found myself admiring the craftsmanship of the armor and the simplicity of the camp life, which allowed the story to focus on the individual characters rather than the grand political machinations of King’s Landing. While names like Baratheon and Targaryen are dropped – giving us those “Leo DiCaprio pointing at the TV” moments – the story remains wonderfully simple at the start.
However, as much as I adore Dunk, the show truly finds itself in his dynamic with the young stable boy, Egg, played with brilliant wit by Dexter Sol Ansell. Their initial meeting is classic; Dunk wants to be left alone, and Egg is a persistent, bold little spark who insists on being his squire. I loved watching their relationship evolve from a reluctant partnership into a genuine bond.
Egg is absolutely hilarious – he is bold, unafraid to speak his mind, and possesses a sharp tongue that often catches the much larger Dunk off guard. Despite Dunk’s occasional attempts to be a stern mentor, it is clear that he deeply cares for the boy. Egg’s fearlessness in being himself is a perfect foil to Dunk’s cautious, principled nature. This duo is the engine that drives the show, and I found myself more invested in their journey than I have been in many of the high-stakes royal dramas of the previous series.
As the season progressed, I appreciated how the writers used flashbacks and dialogue to flesh out Dunk’s history. Learning about his time with his former Master, played by the talented Danny Webb, added layers to his character that helped me understand why he is so fiercely protective of the innocent.
The supporting cast also deserves a massive shout-out. Daniel Ings and Finn Bennett are absolute standouts, bringing a level of gravitas and complexity to their roles that makes the world feel populated by real people with real stakes. It was through these interactions that I began to realize that while the story started small, the emotional weight was growing heavier by the second.
Then, the Game of Thrones effect finally kicked in. I really expected the entire season to remain a low-stakes, charming adventure, but by the end of episode three and moving into episode four, the tone shifts dramatically. The halfway mark of this six-episode season is where the jaw on the floor moments began for me.
As someone who had not read the book this series was based on, I was completely blindsided by the twists and turns. Suddenly, the stakes weren’t just about winning a joust; they became life-and-death, involving high-level drama that felt just as intense as the Red Wedding or the Battle of the Bastards, even without the massive armies. The final half of the season is an intense, action-packed, and absolutely wild ride that proved this series has plenty of teeth behind its sweet exterior.
Overall Thoughts On A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
I finished the season feeling completely breathless and desperate for more. The show concludes on a bit of a cliffhanger, and knowing that the second season has been greenlit and is on its way, I am counting down the days for its return. While a third season hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, I cannot imagine this story not being told to its completion; the world of Dunk and Egg is simply too rich and too compelling to leave unfinished.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms managed to do the impossible: it made Westeros feel small and personal again while maintaining the epic dramatic tension that made me fall in love with this universe in the first place. I may not have read the novellas, but I am now a full-fledged devotee of Ser Duncan the Tall and his bold little squire.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres on HBO Max on January 18th.
About A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
A century before the events of Game of Thrones, two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros… a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg. Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne, and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends.
Co-Creator/Executive Producer, George R.R. Martin; Co-Creator/Showrunner/Executive Producer, Ira Parker. Executive produced by Ryan Condal, Vince Gerardis, Sarah Bradshaw, and Owen Harris.
One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 provides insight into the emotional filming of the final season of a global phenomenon.
Stranger Things has come to an end. As someone who has been a part of this journey since the beginning, and recently introduced my daughter to Hawkins and the Upside Down, it was difficult to come to terms with the fact that it is over (and no, I never believed in – nor wanted – Conformity Gate). That said, the Duffer Brothers and Netflix did have one more thing in story for us – One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 – a documentary detailing the final year of filming, and the efforts that went into the final season.
This two-hour-long special did not disappoint. I was thrilled to spend just a little bit more time with this incredible cast, and learn more about the behind-the-scenes of this (in my opinion) perfect ending.
I have to admit, I felt a little bad for the Duffer Brothers because multiple times throughout the documentary, they reveal how they simply hope to please their fans with the ending. They do not want to kill off a ton of major characters because they wanted to leave the viewers with hope. While Eleven did make the ultimate sacrifice, or not, if you believe Mike’s wishful thinking story, the rest of the main characters came out unscathed.
Every fandom has its toxic members, but it really felt like Stranger Things fans were all of a sudden unappreciative of what the Duffer Brothers and the rest of this cast and crew have given to us over the last decade. I truly hope that everyone watches this documentary and appreciates the final season for what it is. Because it is something beautiful, special, and emotional.
There were many moments throughout One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 that I found myself crying. It became so clear just how much everyone involved in this show loved their experience on it. The cold read of the finale truly got me, and I was not just crying, I was nearly uncontrollably sobbing. Seeing the wave of emotions that I went through while watching it, on the faces of those who brought it to life, hit me far harder than I anticipated it would.
But it isn’t just the quieter, emotional moments that make it worth tuning in; it is getting to see how some of the explosive, epic action sequences were created. For example, the final fight against Vecna and the Mind Flayer is massive, and the team worked incredibly hard to make sure it looked as good as it did.
The scene where Nancy and Jonathan are stuck in the melting office building room did not turn out how director and producer Sean Levy wanted. He admitted that he was going to have to rely on visual effects far more than he wanted to in order for it to look the way it needed to on screen. Little things like this were so intriguing to learn. And don’t worry, Sean, that scene came out flawlessly.
One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 is a complete joy to watch. I had a permasmile on my face the entire time. It was nice to get to spend a little more time in Hawkins with some of my favorite characters. To see the happiness – and sadness – that they felt while filming the final season was extremely relatable – because that is how I felt watching it all play out.
About One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5
A decade after rewiring pop culture, Stranger Things returns for its final chapter. One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things Season 5 is a sweeping behind-the-scenes chronicle that follows the cast, creators, and crew as they bring the final season to life – and say goodbye to the show that changed them forever.
Directed by Martina Radwan, One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 is a MakeMake production and is streaming now, only on Netflix.
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