Descendent (2025 film)
| Descendent | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Peter Cilella |
| Written by | Peter Cilella |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Alexander Chinnici |
| Edited by | Jordan Goldstein |
| Music by | Tyler Strickland |
Production company | Rustic Films |
| Distributed by | RLJE Films |
Release dates |
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Running time | 92 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $4,210[2][3] |
Descendent is an American science fiction thriller film written and directed by Peter Cilella, and produced by filmmaking duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. Starring Ross Marquand and Sarah Bolger, the film premiered at South by Southwest on March 10, 2025. It was released on digital platforms on August 15, 2025.
Premise
Sean Bruner, a school security guard in Los Angeles, struggles with childhood trauma while he and his wife, Andrea, prepare for the birth of their first child. One night during his shift, a mysterious beam of light appears in the sky, and he later wakes up in a hospital with abilities of "creating vivid, unsettling drawings of extraterrestrials and desert landscapes".[1]
Cast
- Ross Marquand as Sean Bruner
- Sarah Bolger as Andrea Bruner
- Charlene Amoia
- Brandon Scott
- Alexandra Barreto
- Susan Wilder as Robin
- Dan O'Brien as Christian
- Alex Ruiz
- Clare Cooney
- Emily Pendergast[1]
Production
Descendent was written and directed by Peter Cilella in his feature directorial debut. Ross Marquand and Sarah Bolger was cast in the leading roles. It was financed by Highland Film Group and produced by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, David Lawson Jr, and Caleb Ward of Rustic Films.[4] Under the shooting title of Josiah Road, principal photography look place on location in Los Angeles from January to February 2023.[5]
Release
The film was acquired by RLJE Films for US distribution prior to its world premiere at the 2025 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival on March 10.[4][1] It is scheduled to be released on digital platforms on August 15, 2025.[6]
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 90% of 10 critics' reviews are positive.[7]
Dennis Harvey of Variety wrote that the film blends genre and character drama in a restrained, atmospheric, and well-crafted way, though the approach can become frustrating. He said, "But those expecting straightforward sci-fi horror may resent the writer-director's insistence on sticking to an ambiguity".[8] Katie Rife writing for IndieWire gave the film a "B-" grade.[9]
References
- ^ a b c d "Descendent SXSW 2025 Schedule". South by Southwest. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
- ^ "Descendent". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
- ^ "Descendent". The Numbers. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
- ^ a b Murphy, J. Kim (March 6, 2025). "RLJE Acquires Benson and Moorhead-Produced Alien Thriller Descendent Ahead of SXSW Premiere (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
- ^ "Josiah Road Production List". Film & Television Industry Alliance. December 19, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
- ^ T, Amber (July 8, 2025). "Alien Abduction Thriller Descendent Gets A Trippy New Trailer". Fangoria. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
- ^ "Descendent". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
- ^ Harvey, Dennis (March 13, 2025). "Descendent Review: A Security Guard Unravels After Experiencing a Close Encounter in Effective Suspense Drama". Variety. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ Rife, Katie (March 12, 2025). "Descendent Review: A Lo-Fi Sci-Fi Drama Hybrid That Lives in the Shadow of Its Predecessors". IndieWire. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
External links
- Descendent at IMDb