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Storm Reid just locked in a major indie thriller alongside Kathryn Newton. The duo will lead Hot Year, a coming-of-age revenge thriller set in a suffocating Pacific Northwest heatwave. Director Roxy Sophie Sorkin makes her feature debut with this dark exploration of friendship, identity, and one night that changes everything.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Release Status: Filming begins May 11-June 8, 2026 in Oklahoma City
- Cast Members: Kathryn Newton, Storm Reid, Dove Cameron, J. Smith-Cameron, Owen Painter
- Genre: Coming-of-age indie revenge thriller with violent consequences
- Director: Roxy Sophie Sorkin, marking her feature directorial debut
A Bold Directorial Debut for Roxy Sophie Sorkin
Roxy Sophie Sorkin will write and direct Hot Year as her first feature film. Sorkin previously directed acclaimed shorts screened at Sundance, Tribeca, and Beyond Fest. She brings a distinct, fearless voice to this project. Her ambitious screenplay explores themes of brutal honesty and complex womanhood. Producers describe her as exactly the kind of filmmaker who isn’t afraid to take tonal and character risks.
The indie project comes from Wagner Entertainment, Killer Films, and Entertainment 360. This marks a major career moment for Sorkin. Her vision will influence every frame of this dark, unpredictable thriller.
Storm Reid joins Kathryn Newton in revenge thriller ‘Hot Year’
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Storm Reid Joins Kathryn Newton in Intense Revenge Tale
Storm Reid earned her first Emmy for HBO Max’s The Last of Us. The actress brings significant star power to Hot Year’s ensemble cast. Reid stars alongside Kathryn Newton, known for Ready or Not 2 and Ant-Man: Quantumania. The two childhood best friends’ bond faces extreme pressure in this violent tale. Their characters navigate buried trauma and loyalty over one feverish night.
Reid’s next major project is Netflix’s comedy Roommates, releasing April 17, 2026. She also stars in Teyana Taylor’s directorial debut Get Lite for Paramount, launching in 2027. Newton meanwhile continues her horror and thriller streak with multiple projects in development.
The Story Behind Hot Year
| Story Element | Details |
| Setting | Small Pacific Northwest town during relentless heatwave |
| Central Plot | Two childhood best friends’ revenge plan against ex-boyfriend spirals violently |
| Timeline | Events unfold over one chaotic, emotional night |
| Themes | Womanhood, identity, loyalty, trauma, irreversible consequences |
The film explores what Sorkin calls “brutal honesty and boiling, seething, grotesque womanhood.” She describes it as a forehead kiss paired with a spit in the face. The director has stated: “It’s a movie I wish I had held dear when I was 18.” This deeply personal project taps into something authentic about friendship at that vulnerable age.
“Hot Year is an exploration into brutal honesty and boiling, seething, grotesque womanhood. It’s a movie I wish I had held dear when I was 18. It’s a forehead kiss and a spit in the face. Be prepared to wear fairy wings and bring Fireball.”
— Roxy Sophie Sorkin, Writer and Director
A Powerhouse Ensemble Cast Creates Raw Chemistry
J. Smith-Cameron brings significant prestige to the project. Best known for HBO’s Succession, she earned two Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe nomination. Smith-Cameron won two SAG Awards for Outstanding Ensemble Performance. She recently guest-starred on CBS’ Elsbeth and joined FX’s drama series Seven Sisters. Her involvement signals serious dramatic ambition for Hot Year.
Dove Cameron recently starred in 56 Days, an erotic psychological thriller that hit number one globally on Prime Video. Owen Painter appears in FX and Ryan Murphy’s series The Shards. This ensemble represents a perfect blend of indie credibility and emerging talent. Each actor brings distinct experience to their roles.
Will Hot Year Become the Breakout Revenge Thriller of 2026?
Filming occurs May 11 through June 8, 2026 in Oklahoma City. Production involves Killer Films, the company behind acclaimed independent cinema. The team includes Kathryn Newton as executive producer, showing her creative investment. This indie approach typically allows bold creative choices. Audiences should expect fresh, unpredictable storytelling rather than mainstream formula.
With Sorkin’s distinct voice, a powerhouse cast led by Emmy-winner Reid and Newton, and a story exploring dangerous female friendships, Hot Year positions itself as one of 2026’s most intriguing indie acquisitions. The film’s themes resonate deeply with contemporary audiences seeking authentic narratives about identity and consequence. Will this debut feature placement Hot Year as a festival darling or streaming sensation?
Sources
- Deadline – Exclusive casting announcement and production details
- JoBlo – Coming-of-age revenge thriller story synopsis
- Dread Central – Director Roxy Sophie Sorkin’s feature debut coverage
