Director’s Cut is a 2024 horror film about a metal band who are lured to a free music video shoot by a sadistic and maniacal madman.
Written, directed and co-produced by music video director Don Capria.
The Onetencrew Films production stars Louis Lombardi, Lucy Hart, Danielle Kotch, Haley Cassidy, Darrin Hickok, Greg Poppa, Tyler Ivey, Danny Diablo, Louis Rocky Bacigalupo and Brandy Ochoa.
Plot:
A Long Island metal band meets a mysterious director on social media who offers to record their first music video for free. The band is desperate for fame. They take him up on his offer and drive to the woods of Pennsylvania, hoping to make a killer video.
After a night of drinking with this gregarious, obsequious director, the band wakes up to find a different version of him on set. Egos and opinions clash, and the director unveils an uncompromising need for control.
Following a brief altercation, the band takes a break and they consider returning home. However, they decide they’ve come too far to turn back now and return to film, only to be trapped and sadistically toyed with by a psychopath director and his killer friend. One by one, the director lures them into the performance space to hurt them in increasingly nasty ways and make them star in his fatal music video…
Reviews:
“The technical aspects, believable drama between the band members and the impressive performances of the actors portraying the musicians, and solid direction make Director’s Cut worth considering for a watch […] Louis Lombardi is a treat as Mr. Director…” The Good, the Bad and the Verdict
“Louis Lombardi is very well cast as the intimidating, evil Mister Director. Subtlety isn’t among this film’s strengths, but that’s forgivable. It doesn’t try to be “elevated” horror. Ultimately, it’s a dark and twisted, but tedious and mindless B-movie.” The NYC Movie Guru
“Rather than relying on CGI or over-the-top effects, Director’s Cut uses its limited resources creatively to heighten the film’s tension. The “haunted house” setting is maximized for effect—shadows loom, and light threatens as much as it illuminates, creating an environment where danger feels imminent. The film’s script also cleverly incorporates humor, relieving the relentless tension. ” ★★★ Overly Honest Reviews
“With its cat-and-mouse, its young co-eds killed off one by one and with its final girl, writer/director Don Capria’s feature debut is a slasher of sorts – although it also brings its own subversions and sophistication to the genre’s traditions. Here the identity of the killers is never really in any doubt, even if their motive only comes late, and it is the victims alone who wear masks (as a part of their act), and whose own questionable morality is repeatedly – if never conclusively – scrutinised.” Projected Figures
” …the slasher becomes a fun ride as the characters are picked off one by one in their pursuit of fame above all else. Despite their good intentions, some deeds require punishment. With Capria’s film, you can be assured there is plenty to go around.” Sunshine State Multiplex
” …Director’s Cut is a dull film that wastes a creepy setting and a fairly large cast of designated victims on a script that takes so long to get to the point it feels as if Capria was ashamed to be making a horror film and was more interested in the drama and conflict between the characters. Indeed, the creepiest thing about the film is the camera’s obsession with highlighting the lump in Babs’ pants.” ★½ Voices from the Balcony
“Slasher or slasher-ish fans who enjoy the set pieces and are happy enough with a loose framing device may have enough fun with this one to have a good time, and I hope so – it feels like a shame that this one doesn’t work for me, and a bit of a missed opportunity, but this may not be the case for all audiences. If you love truly independent cinema enough to overlook the issues, take a look…” Warped Perspective
Trailer 1:
Trailer 2:
Release:
Director’s Cut will receive a limited theatrical release in the United States on October 31, 2024.
Cast and characters:
Louis Lombardi … Mister Director; Lucy Hart … Babs; Danielle Kotch … Val; Haley Cassidy … Jen; Darrin Hickok … AJ; Greg Poppa … John; Tyler Ivey … Jay; Danny Diablo … First Meth Dealer; Louis Rocky Bacigalupo … Juan; Brandy Ochoa … Menace
Notes:
This movie should not be confused with the 2016 Adam Rifkin-Penn Jillette comedy horror film of the same name or the 2024 Steven Aripez comedy horror movie The Director’s Cut.
