Another indie film about a musician? Yawn. But wait—Off the Record's trailer drops like a whiskey bottle shattering on stage. This isn't A Star Is Born with extra eyeliner. It's Gaslight with a guitar.
The Twist in the Tune:
On the surface, Kirsten Foe's feature debut follows the well-worn path: rising singer (Rainey Qualley) falls for a washed-up rock star (Ryan Hansen). Cue the montage of smoky bars, tangled sheets, and studio sessions that smell like poor life choices. But the trailer's real punch comes in its second act—where love curdles into control.
“Alcohol isn't the problem—it's people.”
That line isn't just a zinger; it's the thesis. Qualley's Astor Grey isn't battling addiction—she's fighting for her voice (literally, her music) against Hansen's Brandyn, a vampire in a leather jacket. The poster says it all: two faces merging, one swallowing the other.
Why This Trailer Stands Out:
- The Music as a Weapon
Qualley (performing as Rainsford) delivers two original tracks, including “See Me Cry,” an anthem that could either be a breakup ballad or a battle cry. Then there's her haunting cover of Springsteen's “I'm On Fire”—a song already dripping with obsession. Genius or terrifying? Both. - The Stuntwoman Turned Director
Foe's background as a stunt performer suggests she's not here for delicate metaphors. Expect the emotional equivalent of a stage dive—raw, reckless, and leaving bruises. - The Supporting Cast's Silent Screams
Rebecca De Mornay (Hand That Rocks the Cradle vibes, anyone?) lurks in the trailer's shadows. That's never a good sign.
When Love Stories Are Horror Stories
Off the Record joins a wave of films (The Idol, Her Smell) exposing the music industry's underbelly. But unlike its peers, it's not glamorizing the chaos—it's dissecting it. The trailer's tension mirrors real-life stories of artists like Kesha and Britney Spears, whose careers became collateral damage in toxic relationships.
Will Off the Record be a breakout or a cautionary tale? Either way, that Springsteen cover alone is worth the VOD rental. Watch the trailer—then check your own relationships for red flags. Just saying.
