Cursive and The Good Life frontman Tim Kasher, known for his cinematic style of American indie rock, has turned a new leaf with his storytelling chops by writing and directing his second feature and first horror film Who’s Watching. Officially opening with a limited theatrical and streaming release from Dark Sky Films September 18, this unsettling tale will first embark on a month-long preview tour this August (see dates below).
Kasher’s heartfelt, often epistolary lyrics are the driving force behind his signature post-hardcore and emo concept albums such as Curisive’s Domestica and The Ugly Organ, as well as his follow-up band The Good Life’s Album of the Year. Over the last three decades, recurring themes of unrequited love, alcoholism, and starving for one’s art have built him a reputation as somewhat of a (very much beloved) black sheep among the midwestern songwriters to explode onto the indie circuit at the end of the last century. However, this temperamental nature also marked him for standout success, previously touring with other iconically moody musical acts like The Cure, The Appleseed Cast, and Thursday. Fans of his musical endeavors will be pleased to hear Kasher also scores his own films.
Who’s Watching is a psychological nightmare that pairs his creative penchants for romantic paranoia with the unrelenting darkness of reality that fans of his lyrics have come to crave. The official plot centers around an eccentric metalhead and aspiring filmmaker, Caleb played by Zachary Ray Sherman (A Desert, Under the Banner of Heaven), who has developed a disturbing obsession with his coworker leading him to document every aspect of her life as research for his latest movie.
With a title card Jess Franco would drool over and a cast who h proven their potential for unhinged performance heights, this release is shaping up to be a trigger warning in a film tin (complimentary).
Check out the trailer below for a first look at the performance that earned Zachary Ray Sherman the Best Actor award at Brooklyn Horror Film Festival:
Tim Kasher adds, “This film has been over a decade in the making, evolving through countless drafts before becoming the story it is today. I’m incredibly proud of what we created, and the performances from Sherman, Gracie Gillam (Superhost, Fright Night, Teen Beach Movie), and Olivia Luccardi (It Follows, Soft & Quiet, The Baltimorons) brought it to life in ways I could never have imagined. I’m thrilled to finally share this creepy story with audiences and to bring it on the road for these special screenings.”
Greg Newman, Executive Vice President of Dark Sky Films says, “Tim Kasher has spent his career exploring relationships and the darker corners of human behavior through his music, and Who’s Watching brings those same themes to the screen in a deeply unsettling way. Anchored by Zachary Ray Sherman’s extraordinary performance, it’s a smart, provocative thriller that lingers long after it ends. We’re also excited to partner with Tim on these special screening events, which give audiences the opportunity to experience the film before its release alongside intimate live performances.”
The film is produced by Tim Kasher, Maher Jafari, Liz Renner, and Josh Ethier.
The WHO’S WATCHING preview tour will visit:
- August 10 – Film Exchange – Oklahoma City, OK
- August 11 – Screenland Armour – Kansas City, MO
- August 12 – Film Streams Dundee Theater – Omaha, NE
- August 13 – Heights Theater – Minneapolis, MN
- August 15 – Wealthy Theatre – Grand Rapids, MI
- August 16 – Nightlight Cinema – Akron, OH
- August 17 – Oaks Theater – Pittsburgh, PA
- August 18 – PhilaMOCA – Philadelphia, PA
- August 19 – Zoetropolis – Lancaster, PA
- August 23 – Broad Theater – New Orleans, LA
- August 24 – Galaxy Theatres – Austin, TX
- August 26 – Texas Theatre – Dallas, TX
- August 27 – Roxy Stadium 14 – Santa Rosa, CA
- August 30 – Digital Gym Cinema – San Diego, CA
