Dark Star Pictures has acquired North American distribution rights to the psychological horror/thriller THE DISINVITED, directed by Devin Lawrence. Dark Star is planning an exclusive Los Angeles theatrical release this November, followed by a digital rollout.
THE DISINVITED recently made its North American debut at the Dances With Films festival on June 21 in Hollywood, where it won the Audience Award for Best Picture and earned early acclaim for its gripping narrative and powerhouse performances.
Logline: When Carl crashes a wedding among old friends and flames, what begins as an earnest attempt to reconnect quickly spirals into paranoia, betrayal, and humiliation—turning a hopeful desert weekend into a surreal, violent nightmare.
The film stars Sam Daly (“The Office,” “Bel‑Air”) in a career-defining role, joined by Dani Reynolds, Ryan Vincent, and Alana Johnston. Produced by Matthew Mourgides, THE DISINVITED was released in Brazil this past April, where it garnered strong international praise.
“THE DISINVITED lures you in with the promise of a nostalgic reunion, then pulls the rug out in the most unsettling ways,” said Mike Repsch, President of Dark Star Pictures. “Equal parts intimate and unflinching, Devin Lawrence has crafted a slow-burn nightmare that feels both painfully relatable and impossible to look away from, and we’re thrilled to release it to audiences this fall.”
“Dark Star perfectly aligns with our vision for THE DISINVITED – they champion films that are strange, scary, empathetic, and fun,” says director Devin Lawrence. “This indie was built with blood, sweat, and twisted joy, and we couldn’t ask for a better partner to help it find its audience.”
The deal was negotiated by Michael Repsch on behalf of Dark Star and Andrew Van Den Houten on behalf of the filmmakers.
