Loathe Thy Neighbor

2024

Directed by Sergio Navarretta

Genre: Dark Comedy, Drama
Country of Origin: Canada
Language: English
Run Time: 107 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 2:1
Shooting Format: RED Komodo 6K Digital

Loathe Thy Neighbor has been selected to screen
as part of Industry Selects at
The Toronto International Film Festival.

Saturday September 7th at 3:40 PM
Scotiabank Theater 5
259 Richmond Street West

Synopsis

Will Larkfield, a typical urbanite, has perpetually struggled to carve a path in life. Stuck in a dead-end job, he grapples with the absence of his mother and contends with the erratic behavior of his father, Aaron Larkfield. Aaron, once a semi-professional hockey player, acquired CTE after enduring multiple concussions. Faced with debilitating health issues, Aaron tragically chose to end his life by setting himself on fire during rush hour on a subway platform. Despite this drastic act, he left behind his farm to Will, situated a few hours outside the city in the very town where he grew up.

Devastated by grief, Will takes a hiatus from work and relies on medication to cope with his depression. Struggling to make ends meet, he finds himself evicted from his apartment due to financial strain. Compounding his troubles, the terms of the will mandate that he reside on the farm for a year before considering its sale or contending with capital gains tax, a burden he cannot afford.

Adding to his woes, Will suffers from severe allergies, necessitating him to carry an Epipen. Amidst a shortage of these life-saving devices, he manages to procure one through an online pharmacy, arranging for its delivery to the farm before his arrival. However, upon arriving at the farm, the awaited package goes missing, prompting him to seek assistance from his new neighbor, Wanda Bellerose. Unfortunately, his inquiry inadvertently sparks a feud between them, complicating matters further.

As if fate conspires against him, Will finds himself in a budding relationship with Wanda's daughter, Valerie, whose kleptomania and bipolar behavior add another layer of complexity to his already turbulent life. Amidst this chaos, the only semblance of stability comes from Joe Dickinson, his father's lifelong friend and a local farmer clinging to the memories of better days. Faced with mounting challenges, Will must confront the dilemma of whether to embrace the idiosyncrasies of this quirky small town or seek an escape route to reclaim his sense of purpose.

Sergio Navarretta

Sergio Navarretta is an internationally award-winning director who is fiercely passionate about bringing meaningful content to the screen. Notably, Navarretta helmed The Cuban, starring Ana Golja (Degrassi Next Class), Oscar winner Louis Gossett Jr. (Watchmen), Oscar nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo (The Expanse), Lauren Holly (Tiny Pretty Things), and Giacomo Gianniotti (Grey's Anatomy). The Cuban was shot in Canada and Havana, Cuba and won Best Narrative Feature and Audience Awards at the L.A. Pan African Film Festival, has been featured at several film festivals, and was nominated for three 2021 Canadian Screen Awards.

Navarretta is the executive producer of Lamborghini (the movie) starring Gabriel Byrne and Frank Grillo and is proud to have executive produced the animated theatrical feature Arctic Dogs, now on Netflix, featuring Jeremy Renner, James Franco, Anjelica Huston, Alec Baldwin, John Cleese, and Heidi Klum. He is the co-founder of S.N.A.P Films Inc and sits on several charity boards including the Ethnic Mosaic Alliance and served as a mentor for Being Black in Canada and Reel Works in New York. He splits his time between Toronto and Los Angeles.

The Cast

LAUREN HOLLY

as Wanda Bellerose

Lauren Holly is an American-Canadian actress known for her versatile roles in film and television. She first gained recognition for her portrayal of Deputy Sheriff Maxine Stewart in the acclaimed TV series Picket Fences (1992-1996). Holly is perhaps best known for her role as Mary Swanson in the hit comedy Dumb and Dumber (1994) alongside Jim Carrey. She has also appeared in notable films like Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993), Beautiful Girls (1996), and Oliver Stone's Any Given Sunday (1999). On television, Lauren starred as plastic surgeon Jeremy Hanlon on David E. Kelley’s Emmy Award-nominated CBS drama Chicago Hope (1994-2004). Holly also played Jenny Shepard, the Director of NCIS, on the popular series NCIS (2005-2008) and most recently starred in the hit drama Family Law (2021-2024), Amazon Prime's The Lake (2022) alongside Julia Stiles, and Netflix's Tiny Pretty Things (2020). With a career that spans decades, Lauren Holly has established herself as a respected and enduring presence in Hollywood, with numerous nominations and awards.
BRENNAN CLOST

as Will Larkfield
Brennan Clost is a Canadian actor and dancer with undeniable talent and poise. Clost first gained recognition for his leading role as Daniel in the popular scripted drama series,The Next Step (2013-2017). Born in Burlington, Ontario, Clost trained at regional dance and theater programs and went on to graduate from the prestigious Juilliard School, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He transitioned into acting while maintaining his passion for dance, gaining recognition for his dynamic performances. Clost also starred in the Netflix Original series Tiny Pretty Things (2020), playing the role of Shane, a character navigating the competitive world of elite ballet. With his diverse talents in both acting and dance, Brennan Clost continues to be a rising star in the entertainment industry.
SHAUN BENSON

as Joe Dickinson
Shaun Benson is a Canadian actor and director known for his work in both film and television. He first gained attention for his role as Dr. Steven Lars Webber on the long-running soap opera General Hospital (2004-2005). Benson has appeared in a variety of TV shows, including The Boys, Billy the Kid, The Expanse, and Supernatural. He is also recognized for his roles in films such as ARQ (2016) and Lars and the Real Girl (2007). A versatile performer, Benson is known for his ability to take on diverse and challenging roles across genres.
BRITTANY RAYMOND

as Valerie Bellerose

Brittany Raymond is a Canadian actress and dancer best known for her role as Riley in the popular television series The Next Step (2013-2020). Born in Brampton, Ontario, she began dancing at a young age and quickly excelled, earning recognition globally. Raymond's portrayal of Riley, a talented and determined dancer, made her a fan favorite and earned her several nominations and awards, including a Canadian Screen Award. In addition to her work on The Next Step, Raymond has appeared in other projects such as the ABC Network series Dare Me, the film Extracurricular (2018), and most recently the Showtime Limited Series Fellow Travelers alongside Matt Bomer. Known for her strong dance skills and charismatic screen presence, Brittany Raymond continues to be a prominent figure in the world of dance and acting.
PALOMA NUÑEZ

as Officer Ruth Norwood

Paloma Nuñez is a Canadian actress and comedian known for her work in television, film, and improv comedy. She has appeared in a variety of TV shows, including the popular series Baroness von Sketch Show, where her comedic talent has been widely recognized. Nuñez has also been featured in shows like Kim's Convenience and The Handmaid's Tale, showcasing her versatility as an actress. In addition to her on-screen roles, she is a seasoned improviser, performing with renowned comedy troupes such as The Second City in Toronto. Paloma Nuñez is celebrated for her sharp comedic timing and dynamic performances across different media.
JESSICA GRECO

as Daphne Moran

Jessica Greco is a Canadian actress and comedian with a versatile career spanning over 25 years in film, television, and theater. She first gained widespread recognition for her role as Karen Thurston in the Goosebumps movie Welcome to Dead House (1997) and for her role as Katie in the CBC Soap Riverdale (1997-2000). She has since appeared in a variety of films, including Treed Murray (2001), Twitches (2005), The Hummingbird Project (2018), and Tammy’s Always Dying (2019). Greco has also had recurring roles in popular TV shows like The Umbrella Academy, Tiny Pretty Things, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Five Days at Memorial.
LUKE HUMPHREY

as Vince

Luke Humphrey is an American-born Canadian actor recognized for his dynamic roles in film, television, and theater. He made his film debut in Cruel but Necessary (2005). Humphrey gained significant attention for his portrayal of John Wayne Bobbitt in the television film I Was Lorena Bobbitt (2020), which earned him a Canadian Screen Award for Best Actor in a Television Film or Miniseries in 2022. Humphrey continues to build a diverse portfolio, with recent roles in the films Priscilla (2023) and Trench 11 (2017). His career spans various genres, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
PATRICE GOODMAN

as Nancy Whittle

Patrice Goodman is a Canadian actress known for her versatile performances across television, film, and theater. She gained significant recognition for her work on the sketch comedy series Sunnyside (2015), for which she and her castmates won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Ensemble Performance. Patrice has appeared in numerous TV shows, including The Umbrella Academy as Dot, Slasher, The Handmaid's Tale, Frankie Drake Mysteries, and Overlord and the Underwoods, where she plays the lead role of Flower Underwood.

Executive Producers

Lauren Holly
Christian Majewski
Brennan Clost

Producers

Lauren Holly
Brennan Clost
Christian Majewski
Danny Roth
Rebeka Herron

The Soundtrack

One of the most rewarding tasks of this project was sourcing the music. Loathe Thy Neighbor is comprised mostly of needle drops, and we are grateful to all the wonderful, independent musicians who agreed to license their songs for use in this film. The talented musicians we discovered by combing through indie playlists on Spotify and reaching out to them via Instagram direct messaging all play a pivotal role in crafting the musicality of each scene in such a wonderfully unique way. All of their music deserves to be heard by the masses. We were also fortunate to have Shaun Benson, who plays Joe in Loathe Thy Neighbor, and his good friend Katie McBride, write and perform two songs that are perfectly crafted for important scenes in the film.

Behind The Scenes

We made this film out of a necessity to create. Faced with an actors and writers strike in the summer of 2023, we decided to pool together whatever resources and money we had for production.

Our chosen location was a farm roughly two hours north of Toronto, offering us a unique window for shooting that demanded a script be written super fast by our writer Christian Majewski. The one benefit of a strike was the availability of resources. We found a director in Sergio Navarretta (The Cuban) who brought with him a talented Director of Photography named Mathieu Taillefer. Together, they assembled a skeleton crew and negotiated a free lens package from Panavision. We enlisted a few of our actor friends, who were also eager to keep working.

The entire shoot took 15 days with many obstacles to work around, including weather and wayward farm animals. We wrapped production in mid-October and started post-production by early December.

The narrative of our film resonates with our own journey. Much like the protagonist, a young man thrust from the comforts of city life into the rural unknown, we too found ourselves tasked with making the most of our limited resources and confined setting. We also had to be certain we didn't cross any picket lines. We got the blessing from ACTRA to move forward under their microbudget guidelines and filming began at the end of September 2023.