Concourse Media frames 'Strobe' as a bold, visually distinctive thriller that redefines genre cinema and draws younger audiences back to theaters with a visceral experience.
The casting of Chace Crawford and Mena Suvari in a dark EDM thriller suggests a deliberate pivot from their teen idol and early 2000s icons to grittier, psychological roles.
Variety confirms Concourse Media is introducing 'Strobe' to buyers at the American Film Market in Los Angeles. The film is produced by Tara Razavi of Happy Place, Nate Matteson, and Hiro Murai via Super Frog, with CAA representing domestic rights.
If you thought EDM was just for festival bros, think again. Cohen is turning rave culture into a horror show, and Hollywood is buying the ticket.
Hold onto your glow sticks, because the underground electronic dance music scene is about to get a Hollywood makeover that looks less like a party and more like a panic attack. Concourse Media has officially boarded sales on "Strobe," a psychological thriller that trades champagne wishes for obsessive quests. Written and directed by Taylor Cohen, this marks his feature directorial debut, a significant leap from his established career directing music videos for heavy hitters like Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj, Megan Thee Stallion, and Conan Gray.
The transition from behind the camera on a music video set to calling the shots on a feature film is a risky move, but the cast list suggests Cohen has the receipts to pull it off. The ensemble is nothing short of eclectic, blending Gen Z darlings with 2000s nostalgia in a way that feels both fresh and slightly unhinged. Leading the charge is Suzanna Son, known for her work in "Red Rocket" and "Monster: The Ed Gein Story," alongside Chace Crawford, who seems determined to shed his "Gossip Girl" and "The Boys" personas by diving into darker territory.
Rounding out this mysterious lineup are Rohan Campbell from "The Monkey," Laura Harrier from "Spider-Man: Homecoming," Mena Suvari, the "American Beauty" icon, and Grace Van Dien, star of "Stranger Things." The synergy between these actors creates a tense anticipation, as each brings a specific flavor of intensity to a narrative centered on a high school senior consumed by the hunt for an elusive EDM artist. According to the synopsis, the film explores the darker side of obsession, identity, and the intoxicating allure of fame, set against the pulsating backdrop of nightlife.
The protagonist’s search pulls her deeper into a seductive world where appearances are deceptive and the pursuit of truth threatens to consume her. Jack Sheehan, president of sales at Concourse Media, touted the project as "exactly the kind of bold, visually distinctive thriller we love bringing to the international marketplace," noting that it taps into the momentum of a new generation of filmmakers redefining genre cinema to draw younger audiences back to theaters.
The producers echoed this sentiment, calling it a "passion project" and a "resonant story about fame, power, and hidden dangers" that continues to deepen in cultural relevance. The production pedigree is equally impressive, with Happy Place financing the project alongside executive producer Clayton Moore, marking Happy Place’s first feature film. The team includes Nate Matteson and Hiro Murai via Super Frog, whose credits include the critically acclaimed series "Atlanta," "The Bear," and "Mr. & Mrs.
Smith." With CAA repping domestic rights, the film joins Concourse Media’s slate alongside "Parish," starring Nicolas Cage, Dane DeHaan, and Alexandra Shipp, which recently wrapped production in Minnesota, and "Vision Board," starring Lucy Hale, which is currently in pre-production. "Strobe" is set to be introduced to buyers at the upcoming American Film Market in Los Angeles, signaling that Hollywood is ready to bet big on the intersection of rave culture and psychological horror.
