Dylan O’Brien (Twinless) and Hudson Williams (Heated Rivalry) have signed on to star in Apparatus, a darkly comedic thriller marking the feature directorial debut of Canadian actress Sofia Banzhaf (I Am in the World as Free and Slender as a Deer on a Plain).
Written by Banzhaf and Grayson Moore (Cardinals), Apparatus follows struggling young rideshare driver Tyler (Williams) as he falls under the influence of a self-styled entrepreneur, JP (O’Brien), who offers him a future in his handheld-massager business. But what appears to be a dream opportunity unravels as JP pulls Tyler into a violent downward spiral.
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Producers on the project include Julie Baldassi of Younger Daughter Films (Darkest Miriam, I Am in the World as Free and Slender as a Deer on a Plain), Daniel Bekerman of Scythia Films (The Apprentice, Endless Cookie), Banzhaf, Moore and Brian Robertson. Sam Sutcliffe and Jasmin Karibzhanova of Ursa Major Films are co-financing alongside Nicholas Chepesiuk of Gabardine, Telefilm Canada and Mongrel Media, with WME Independent and CAA Media Finance co-repping the film for sales. Production dates and locations are still being finalized.
O’Brien has been on a hot streak recently, between a Sundance Jury Award win and a Spirit Award nomination for his dual roles in the acclaimed dark comedy Twinless, and a starring role opposite Rachel McAdams in Send Help, the survival horror thriller from Sam Raimi that dominated the domestic box office in January, grossing more than $93 million and earning critical acclaim. Up next, he’ll be seen starring alongside Ruth Madeley and Mark Ruffalo in the Apple pic Being Heumann from CODA’s Sian Heder. He is represented by WME, Principal LA and Jamie Feldman.
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Williams broke out with his starring role opposite Connor Storrie in the cultural phenomenon Heated Rivalry from Crave and HBO, a queer hockey romance heading into its second season. Upcoming, he’ll also be seen in Netflix’s FTX series The Altruists, among other projects. He is repped by CAA, RED Management and Hansen Jacobson.
Banzhaf previously directed the short film I Am in the World as Free and Slender as a Deer on a Plain, which premiered at TIFF and was named to the festival’s year-end Canada’s Top 10 list for shorts. She is repped by Amanda Rosenthal Talent Agency.
Moore is repped by Verve and New Story Entertainment; Bekerman by WME.