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'Stranger Things' star's new movie set to debut at 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival

'Pizza Movie' is written and directed by Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher

'Stranger Things' star Gaten Matarazzo's new work is gearing up for its debut. His film, 'Pizza Movie', will premiere at the South by Southwest Festival (SXSW), set to take place from 12-18 March. Earlier, the film's synopsis and a first look were revealed. 'Pizza Movie' is written and directed by Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher.

"It's a Friday night and college students Jack and Montgomery have got big plans: They’re going to do drugs and order pizza," the logline reads. "But when the home-made drug they ingest turns out to be MUCH wilder than they thought, the simple journey down two flights of stairs to retrieve their pie becomes a mind-bindingly transformative quest.

"Still though, how hard can it be? The only thing in their way is a broken elevator, Montgomery's social anxiety, the fact that everybody in the school hates Jack, a sociopathic RA, a vengeful butterfly, a robot with a dream, and this insane drug that has absolutely no regard for the basic laws of reality."

Earlier, Matarazzo spoke of choosing to be part of the film. "It’s the type of movie that is not something I saw in the cards right after Stranger Things," he told Esquire. "It’s a very big swing. Like, Hey, let’s just go for it. Because I’ll never see a script like this again. The pitch was nuts." The first look sees Matarazzo looking confused as he witnesses another version of him and Sean Giambrone in the frame.

In related news, the 'Stranger Things' star revealed his unwind route. "Watch lots of stand-up. I like finding new comedians I enjoy, and one of the easiest ways to do that is through their YouTube pipelines," he told The New York Times. "I’ll watch videos for an hour or two before I call it a night. And I listen to lots of hockey podcasts — the “BarDown” podcast is really good. And some music — the “Hamilton” cast recording, Radiohead, Lady Gaga’s “Mayhem.” I try not to overdo it, because I do get a little excited and down the rabbit hole."

Apart from 'Pizza Movie', Matarazzo has also been tapped in the voice cast of Andy Serkis’ animated adaptation of 'Animal Farm', based on George Orwell’s cult classic 1945 novel. The film also features voices from Seth Rogen and Glenn Close, and releases May 1, 2026.

'Pizza Movie' will premiere at SXSW in March.