Brainstorm Media has acquired North American rights to Tolga Karaçelik’s PSYCHO THERAPY: THE SHALLOW TALE OF A WRITER WHO DECIDED TO WRITE ABOUT A SERIAL KILLER following its successful world premiere at last year’s Tribeca Film Festival where it won an Audience Award. The thrilling dark comedy from the Turkish filmmaker is expected to be released in theaters and on VOD in April 2025.
“We are proud to be working with Curious Gremlin to bring this weird and wonderful film to audiences nationwide,” says Brainstorm Media CEO, Michelle Shwarzstein. Tolga Karacelik has crafted a film full of twists and turns (and an all-star cast) that will keep people on the edge of their seat throughout.”
The film is Karaçelik’s English-language directorial and screenwriting debut. The film stars Steve Buscemi (Fargo), John Magaro (Past Lives) and Britt Lower (“Severance”).
In PSYCHO THERAPY: THE SHALLOW TALE OF A WRITER WHO DECIDED TO WRITE ABOUT A SERIAL KILLER, a struggling writer in the midst of a divorce befriends a retired serial killer who incidentally becomes his marriage counselor by day, and killing counselor for his next book by night.
Director Tolga Karaçelik shared his thoughts on the film, saying: “I make films I love watching, and this film is one of them. What started as a simple idea in 2015 grew into something much bigger, and in the process, I grew too— as a filmmaker and as a person. It was a pleasure to work with all the crew and actors, but especially working with John, Britt, and Steve was an incredible experience—John fit the role perfectly from the start, Britt brought something magical to Suzie, and Steve—every second with him was a gift. More than just a collaborator, I can truly say I gained a friend I deeply admire. I feel lucky to have made this film with them. Now that the film is finished, it’s no longer mine—it belongs to the audience, and I can’t wait to see how they experience it.”
The film’s producers include Karaçelik, Buscemi, Scott Aharoni (The Chronology of Water), Sinan Eczacibasi (The Chronology of Water), Alihan Yalcindag (“Alef”), Wren Arthur (A Prairie Home Companion), Alex Peace Power (Your Monster), and Mustafa Kaymak (The Walk).
Executive Producers are John Magaro, Britt Lower, Can Gürsoy, Aykut Sanver, Daniel John Goldberg, Kanat Dogramaci, Eppie Özen, Irmak Pakdemir, Ali Yürürer, Aret Taşciyan, Lauren Chen, Jon Wroblewski, Christian Sosa, Ahmet Kenan Bilgiç, Tara Khorti, Julien Levesque, Özge Bulut Marasli, Peter Veverka.
Alex Peters from Brainstorm Media negotiated the deal with UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers.
Mimi Steinbauer’s Radiant Films International will handle international sales on PSYCHO THERAPY, launching the title at EFM. Steinbauer and Karis Aldridge, Radiant’s Head of Sales, will present to potential distributors, with a screening of the film in Berlin.
ABOUT BRAINSTORM MEDIA
Since Brainstorm Media’s inception in 1995, the company has had a forward-thinking approach to a growing digital marketplace, establishing early video-on-demand deals with major tech platforms. With an ethos of adaptability, Brainstorm continues to expand its network of partners and explore unique models of distribution. Its growing all-rights business builds custom marketing and publicity campaigns that include both traditional opportunities as well as targeted tactics to capture audiences where they are. Under the leadership of CEO Michelle Shwarzstein, Brainstorm’s mission is to realize focused and creative distribution strategies for its content partners.
Most recently, Brainstorm Media released medieval epic STOCKHOLM BLOODBATH, I’LL BE RIGHT THERE starring Edie Falco and CHOSEN FAMILY, written, directed and starring Heather Graham, British folk horror STARVE ACRE, starring Matt Smith and Morfydd Clark, SXSW comedy CORA BORA, starring Meg Stalter, and Tribeca Official Selection LAROY, TEXAS, starring Steve Zahn and John Magaro. Other notable recent releases include crime drama LIMBO, starring Simon Baker, sci-fi thriller T.I.M., starring Georgina Campbell and Eamon Farren, SXSW Grand Jury winner RAGING GRACE, the hit romcom THE OTHER ZOEY, starring Josephine Langford and Drew Starkey, Irish neo-noir BARBER starring Aidan Gillen, William Kaufman’s THE CHANNEL, and Alex Lehmann’s ACIDMAN starring Thomas Hayden Church and Dianna Agron. Learn more at Brainstormmedia.com.
