At the core, each and every 'body snatching' movie I've had the good fortune to watch has had something relatable to say about the loss of identity.
In fact, I think I'd once read a treatise on that whole idea -- that the trend of 'body snatching' flicks in Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror were fundamentally meant to be more social commentary -- that we inevitably lose ourselves in some way, shape, or form -- to something else. While I don't find that conceit hard to accept on any level, it is interesting that these productions do continue popping up with each successive generation. If anything, that trend underscores that stylistically those fears never go out of style; storytellers just keep finding new ways to express and explore such deep-rooted fears, sometimes with comic intentions and sometimes without.
Woof. I said a mouthful, eh?
In any event, I truly just wanted to pop by to alert the readership that there's one more on the horizon: Dark Star Pictures' The Becomers looks to spawn theatrically just this Friday (August 23rd) with a proposed VOD release that'll follow starting Tuesday, September 24th. Those of you looking to know a bit more can check out the press announcement located below, and I've also posted the trailer (available online) for your perusal.
You know what to do ...
In fact, I think I'd once read a treatise on that whole idea -- that the trend of 'body snatching' flicks in Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror were fundamentally meant to be more social commentary -- that we inevitably lose ourselves in some way, shape, or form -- to something else. While I don't find that conceit hard to accept on any level, it is interesting that these productions do continue popping up with each successive generation. If anything, that trend underscores that stylistically those fears never go out of style; storytellers just keep finding new ways to express and explore such deep-rooted fears, sometimes with comic intentions and sometimes without.
Woof. I said a mouthful, eh?
In any event, I truly just wanted to pop by to alert the readership that there's one more on the horizon: Dark Star Pictures' The Becomers looks to spawn theatrically just this Friday (August 23rd) with a proposed VOD release that'll follow starting Tuesday, September 24th. Those of you looking to know a bit more can check out the press announcement located below, and I've also posted the trailer (available online) for your perusal.
You know what to do ...
OPENING THIS WEEK!
Zach Clark’s Sci-Fi Genre-Bender
THE BECOMERS
Opening from Dark Star Pictures on Friday, August 23
Arriving on VOD Tuesday, September 24
Zach Clark’s Sci-Fi Genre-Bender
THE BECOMERS
Opening from Dark Star Pictures on Friday, August 23
Arriving on VOD Tuesday, September 24
Writer/director Zach Clark’s acclaimed sci-fi genre-bender THE BECOMERS kicks off its U.S. theatrical release on Friday, August, 23rd and arrives on VOD in North America on Tuesday, September 24th. The film will open in New York on August 23rd at Cinema Village, in Los Angeles on August 30th at Lumiere Music Hall, and in Chicago on September 13th at Music Box Theatre, with more cities listed below.
The latest film from the celebrated American indie filmmaker, a visually striking homage to retro science fiction that reverberates with the pulse of politics and cultural trends of the last five years —drawing from COVID, Qanon, and constant states of anxiety— while exploring themes of confusion, isolation, and the deep need for human connection through the story of two body-snatching alien lovers. The cast includes Molly Plunk (LITTLE SISTER, SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY), Mike Lopez (MAY DECEMBER), Keith Kelly, Isabel Alamin, and Frank V. Ross (DRINKING BUDDIES), with narration by Russell Mael, lead singer of the renowned musical duo Sparks.
Best known for the critically acclaimed WHITE REINDEER, released by IFC Films, and LITTLE SISTER, featuring Addison Timlin and Ally Sheedy, THE BECOMERS is Clark’s fifth feature. Also a celebrated editor outside of his own films, his credits include Sophia Takal’s ALWAYS SHINE, Hannah Fidell’s THE LONG DUMB ROAD, Michael Tully’s DON’T LEAVE HOME, and Michael M. Bilandic’s indie cult film JOBE’Z WORLD.
THE BECOMERS was shot in Chicago and is produced by Joe Swanberg (HAPPY CHRISTMAS, DIGGING FOR FIRE) and Eric Ashworth. Eddie Linker (GHOSTLIGHT, QUEEN OF EARTH) produced for Slasher Film Company. Daryl Pittman lensed, Fritz Myers composed the film’s original score, and Glamhag production designed.
Synopsis:
"Forced to flee their dying planet, two body-snatching alien lovers arrive separately on Earth. Determined to find each other, the aliens jump from body to body, but they quickly learn that it's not easy to inhabit their new, fleshy hosts, and that life in modern-day America is more complicated than they could have ever imagined."
The latest film from the celebrated American indie filmmaker, a visually striking homage to retro science fiction that reverberates with the pulse of politics and cultural trends of the last five years —drawing from COVID, Qanon, and constant states of anxiety— while exploring themes of confusion, isolation, and the deep need for human connection through the story of two body-snatching alien lovers. The cast includes Molly Plunk (LITTLE SISTER, SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY), Mike Lopez (MAY DECEMBER), Keith Kelly, Isabel Alamin, and Frank V. Ross (DRINKING BUDDIES), with narration by Russell Mael, lead singer of the renowned musical duo Sparks.
Best known for the critically acclaimed WHITE REINDEER, released by IFC Films, and LITTLE SISTER, featuring Addison Timlin and Ally Sheedy, THE BECOMERS is Clark’s fifth feature. Also a celebrated editor outside of his own films, his credits include Sophia Takal’s ALWAYS SHINE, Hannah Fidell’s THE LONG DUMB ROAD, Michael Tully’s DON’T LEAVE HOME, and Michael M. Bilandic’s indie cult film JOBE’Z WORLD.
THE BECOMERS was shot in Chicago and is produced by Joe Swanberg (HAPPY CHRISTMAS, DIGGING FOR FIRE) and Eric Ashworth. Eddie Linker (GHOSTLIGHT, QUEEN OF EARTH) produced for Slasher Film Company. Daryl Pittman lensed, Fritz Myers composed the film’s original score, and Glamhag production designed.
Synopsis:
"Forced to flee their dying planet, two body-snatching alien lovers arrive separately on Earth. Determined to find each other, the aliens jump from body to body, but they quickly learn that it's not easy to inhabit their new, fleshy hosts, and that life in modern-day America is more complicated than they could have ever imagined."
What Critics Are Saying:
“Toggling between a Jarmusch cool and a Linklater chill”
- Erik Luers, Filmmaker
“An intriguing amalgamation of cringe love and Cronenbergian body horror”
- Marco Vito Oddo, Collider
“Director Zach Clark looks to create his own science fiction cult favorite with the offbeat The Becomers”
- Allyson Johnson, But Why Tho?
"Each generation gets the Body Snatchers it deserves, and this year deserves chaos. The Becomers brings it in buckets"
- Jason Adams, Mashable
"With low-fi effects and a big heart, Zach Clark’s sci-fi dramedy offers a close encounter of the weird (and wonderful) kind"
- Emily Gagne, Dread Central
"A gender and genre defying adventure with the universal desire for connection at its heart, The Becomers is a sweet and much needed reminder that love conquers all"
- Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, AWFJ.org
“An ambitious voyage aimed to challenge perceptions and occasionally the gag reflex as it examines the power of love amidst a turbulent world... The Becomers becomes a satire within a satire, nestling social critique within a sci-fi subversion”
- Meagan Navarro, Bloody Disgusting
ABOUT DARK STAR PICTURES:
Dark Star Pictures is a new-age North American distribution company, focused on bringing unique and targeted content to audiences across the country. We are committed to releasing auteur-driven, original cinema in the theatrical, digital and home video space. Our goal is to create original marketing campaigns directly catered to audiences who will embrace our brand of thought-provoking cinema.
“Toggling between a Jarmusch cool and a Linklater chill”
- Erik Luers, Filmmaker
“An intriguing amalgamation of cringe love and Cronenbergian body horror”
- Marco Vito Oddo, Collider
“Director Zach Clark looks to create his own science fiction cult favorite with the offbeat The Becomers”
- Allyson Johnson, But Why Tho?
"Each generation gets the Body Snatchers it deserves, and this year deserves chaos. The Becomers brings it in buckets"
- Jason Adams, Mashable
"With low-fi effects and a big heart, Zach Clark’s sci-fi dramedy offers a close encounter of the weird (and wonderful) kind"
- Emily Gagne, Dread Central
"A gender and genre defying adventure with the universal desire for connection at its heart, The Becomers is a sweet and much needed reminder that love conquers all"
- Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, AWFJ.org
“An ambitious voyage aimed to challenge perceptions and occasionally the gag reflex as it examines the power of love amidst a turbulent world... The Becomers becomes a satire within a satire, nestling social critique within a sci-fi subversion”
- Meagan Navarro, Bloody Disgusting
ABOUT DARK STAR PICTURES:
Dark Star Pictures is a new-age North American distribution company, focused on bringing unique and targeted content to audiences across the country. We are committed to releasing auteur-driven, original cinema in the theatrical, digital and home video space. Our goal is to create original marketing campaigns directly catered to audiences who will embrace our brand of thought-provoking cinema.
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