Dylan, known to his fans as DJ Dreamcatcher, is on the brink of global stardom. Everything changes the night of Cataclysm, an underground music festival, where two estranged sisters and their friends meet Dylan. After a drug-fueled gruesome event, things begin to spiral into a 48-hour whirlwind of violence and mayhem.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

“The inception of DREAMCATCHER began with a love of classic literature, 90’s ensemble horror, and a late-night walk to my neighborhood Trader Joe’s.

Having known [producers] Brandon and Krystal Vayda for many years, when they called me with an opportunity to helm a: ‘music-based, ensemble thriller that speaks to multi-generational film fans’ – I was floored. I found myself swallowed in a chorus of ideas: did I want to go full slasher?  What genre of music did I want to explore?  How could I put my own spin on it? Then, while lost in this creative maelstrom – an epiphany spurred during an evening stroll; an EDM dance song randomly came on – and the pulsing, consistent bass – like a heartbeat – gave me the inspiration I needed to face the blank page.

I knew two specific things going into the writing process: 1) I didn’t want throwaway, cannon-fodder characters and 2) thematically, I wanted to explore the effects of trauma and the various forms it can take. This undulating, foundational fulcrum helped to guide the arcs of the ensemble in a meaningful way. In a day-and-age of self-made fame and success, I also wanted to explore the depths one would go to retain that glory. More specifically, how and when do we lose our sense of identity – and why? As an homage, the film references Johann Goethe’s Faust and Shakespeare’s Macbeth, both stories that delve into the notion of identity and varying obstacles that come from chasing a dream with violent, reckless abandon.

Each character in the film wants something they can’t have, and while some actively pursue, others silently pine – letting their muddled psyche ultimately guide the conflict of the film. Yes, there’s a masked killer whodunit element. Yes, there are slasher-adjacent kill scene set pieces. But, when you peel away the layers of these characters, whether they’re on the chopping block or not, you will see DREAMCATCHER is much more. Sometimes a satirical, social commentary, sometimes a gripping dramatic love story, oftentimes a frightening thrill ride — the film, like the personality of the ensemble, evolves as the story unfolds.

DREAMCATCHER is an amalgamation of unfiltered passion and creativity. The cast and crew bonded like family – and the result was an incomparable chemistry that, I believe, enhances the experience from a typified, independent film. I only get to tell this story once – and I wanted it to be thrilling and poignant, progressive and innovative — we must not forget that the second enemy of creativity, after having ‘good taste’, is being safe.”

The film stars Niki Koss (“Famous in Love”, Killer App), Zachary Gordon (Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series, American Pie Presents: Girls’ Rules), Travis Burns (The Wrong Boy Next Door, A Christmas Princess), Blaine Kern III (Happy Death Day 2U, Inherit The Viper), Olivia Sui (“Smosh”, “Every [Black] Ever”), Emrhys Cooper (The Price for Silence, Trophy Boy), Elizabeth Posey (“Euphoria”, Gully), Nazanin Mandi (The Last Conception, “The Young and the Restless”), Adrienne Wilkinson (Raze, “Xena: Warrior Princess”), and Lou Ferrigno Jr (“Stargirl”, “How I Met Your Mother”).

It is directed and written by Jacob Johnston (“The Look-See”, “The Sunny Family Cult”).

DREAMCATCHER will be available in theaters, on Digital, and On-Demand on March 5, 2021.

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Sarah Musnicky

Editor-in-Chief/Co-Owner at Nightmarish Conjurings

Sarah is the Editor-in-Chief and Co-Owner of Nightmarish Conjurings. Most may know her due to her desire to literally hug anything that could kill her, but also making sure that everyone is squared away and sanity is intact.

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