Dylan O’Brien joins ‘Heated Rivalry’ star for dark comedy film ‘Apparatus’ — here’s what we know so far
A new film, called ‘Apparatus’, is starting to take shape with a premise that sounds a little offbeat in the best way possible. Dylan O’Brien, who seems to be everywhere lately, will lead the project alongside Hudson Williams, a name that’s been gaining fame. The casting was first reported by Deadline. And then there’s the filmmaker behind it. Sofia Banzhaf, known primarily for her acting work, is stepping into feature directing territory for the first time with this film. The script, co-written by Banzhaf alongside Grayson Moore, focuses on a young rideshare driver named Tyler, played by Williams. He is barely keeping things together, financially and otherwise, when he crosses paths with JP, a slick, self-proclaimed business mind portrayed by O’Brien.
At first glance, JP seems like the kind of guy who talks fast, dresses sharp, and always has a “big idea” ready to go. JP pulls Tyler into what sounds like a strange but oddly convincing business venture involving handheld massagers. And while it might begin with the promise of easy money or a better life, things start to go sideways, as Tyler gets pulled deeper into something that does not quite add up. The film is being described as a dark comedy thriller, which usually means you’re going to laugh at moments that feel slightly wrong to laugh at. O’Brien, for his part, has been building a streak that’s hard to ignore.
He is earning attention for his dual performance in ‘Twinless’, which brought him both a Sundance jury prize and a Spirit Award nod. Recently, he also starred alongside Rachel McAdams in ‘Send Help’, a survival horror directed by Sam Raimi. Next, he is set to appear opposite Ruth Madeley and Mark Ruffalo in the Apple-backed biopic ‘Being Heumann’, directed by Sian Heder. Williams, meanwhile, is coming off a breakout moment with ‘Heated Rivalry’, where he starred opposite Connor Storrie in a story that found a passionate audience. The show’s success has already pushed it toward a second season, and it’s helped put Williams firmly on the radar as someone to watch. Up next, he is set to appear in Netflix’s FTX-themed series ‘The Altruists’, with several other projects also in the pipeline.
Behind the camera, the production setup is just as layered, with companies like Younger Daughter Films and Scythia Films backing the project, alongside additional support from Ursa Major Films and Telefilm Canada, among others. Sales duties are being handled by WME Independent and CAA Media Finance. Meanwhile, filming dates have not been locked in publicly yet, and neither have locations, which leaves a bit of mystery around how quickly this will move from announcement to actual production. For now, ‘Apparatus’ sits in that early stage where not everything is revealed.
