Midnight Chimes and the Mise En Scène Company have unveiled additional first-look images from “Forelock,” a dark comedy starring David Krumholtz that will premiere as an opening night marquee selection at the Austin Film Festival on Oct. 23.
The “Oppenheimer” actor, who also executive produces, is stepping into gritty character actor territory with the indie film, marking the solo feature directorial debut of writer-director Caleb Alexander Smith, who also stars.
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“Playing Randy was a chance to pay homage to the character portrayals of actors like Nicholson, Pacino, and Dustin Hoffman – those unsavory underdog characters you can’t help but root for,” Krumholtz says. “My Ratso Rizzo moment was perfectly imagined in a modern context by Caleb.”
The reference to Ratso Rizzo – Dustin Hoffman’s iconic downtrodden hustler from 1969’s “Midnight Cowboy” – signals the kind of meaty, morally ambiguous character role that allows actors to showcase their dramatic range.
The film follows Caiden (Smith), a hapless fitness enthusiast who moves to Los Angeles dreaming of becoming a trainer, only to be diverted by Randy (Krumholtz), an opportunistic Hollywood Boulevard grifter who exploits his likeness to the world’s most famous superhero. The pair must hustle their way out of trouble involving a temperamental drug boss and a whimsical cop investigating a celebrity murder.
“Forelock,” named for the iconic curl on a certain superhero’s forehead, draws from Smith’s real-life experience as a superhero lookalike after arriving in Los Angeles, where he was told to “go stand on Hollywood Boulevard.”
Shot entirely on location in Los Angeles, the film takes an unflinching look at the city, from the homeless crisis and public disorder to mansion dwellers in Bel Air.
“‘Forelock’ is somewhere between a love letter to LA and a passionately scrawled breakup note, crumpled and hurled at the face of a city full of potential and contradiction,” Smith says. “Inspired by how ‘Midnight Cowboy’ shined a light on the grit of late ’60s Manhattan, we strove to capture a frighteningly authentic snapshot of downtown Hollywood.”
As executive producer, Krumholtz says he wanted to be more than just a performer on set. “Making any indie is an uphill battle, but making one on the streets of Los Angeles is particularly thorny,” he notes. “What results is a dynamic and comedic thrill ride that capitalizes on the relatable themes of a specific brand of desperation: Hollywood desperation.”
The Austin Film Festival, now in its 32nd year, is showcasing “Forelock” in its marquee lineup alongside Texas premieres of Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet,” Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value” and Park Chan Wook’s “No Other Choice.”
Roberto Schaefer (“Quantum of Solace,” “Stranger Than Fiction”) served as cinematographer. The film was produced by Midnight Chimes, founded by Smith and entrepreneur Lindsay McCormick.
Krumholtz’s upcoming slate includes “Deliver me from Nowhere,” A24’s “Altar” and a role as Zor-El in DC Studios’ 2026 tentpole “Supergirl.”
Smith has television credits including “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “Modern Family” and is set to recur on Ryan Murphy’s upcoming Hulu series “All’s Fair,” whose recently released trailer became the streamer’s biggest ever trailer launch with over 57 million views in 24 hours.
The Mise En Scène Company is handling global sales.
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