Jess Gabor and Arthur Langlie are set to lead He Talks to Me, a psychological thriller directed by Christina Kallas and written by Alejandro Adams. The film follows Melody, a young single mother living in rural Arkansas, who is approached at home by local police officer Bryce Hagan for what initially appears to be a casual interrogation. The encounter develops into a struggle involving coercion, survival and endurance. Inspired by a disturbing real-life incident involving an evangelical baptism allegedly coerced under the guise of law enforcement, the film explores the abuse of authority and its consequences.
The story centres on Melody’s experience as her encounter with Bryce unfolds. Rather than following the structure of a conventional criminal investigation, He Talks to Me focuses on the confrontation between a civilian and a police officer, with the imbalance of power driving the narrative. Its rural Arkansas setting places the events within an everyday environment, keeping the focus on the people involved and the consequences of their interaction.
For Jess Gabor, the lead role adds to a growing list of screen credits. She gained recognition for her performances in Seasons 9 and 10 of Shameless and appeared in Paramount+’s School Spirits. Her recent film credits include Christy, directed by David Michôd, The Friend, starring Bill Murray, and Throuple, directed by Greyson Horst. Gabor has also completed work on Hello Darkness, directed by Tony Goldwyn, and is set to appear in Season 3 of Daredevil: Born Again.
Arthur Langlie joins the project following his appearance in Late Fame, the 2025 drama directed by Kent Jones and starring Willem Dafoe and Greta Lee. In He Talks to Me, Langlie plays Bryce Hagan, placing him at the centre of the film’s primary conflict opposite Gabor’s Melody. The supporting cast includes Sayra Player, Adam David Thompson and Ryan Siegel.
Behind the camera, Christina Kallas brings experience in independent filmmaking and screenwriting. She is a two-time alumna of the Berlinale and Slamdance, a member of the Actors Studio and a former president of the Federation of Screenwriters in Europe. Her previous directorial credits include Paris Is in Harlem and The Rainbow Experiment. Her experience across directing and screenwriting informs the creative team behind the upcoming thriller.
The project was developed by Mike S. Ryan, who will produce through Greyshack Films alongside veteran producer Derrick Tseng. With Adams writing the screenplay and Kallas directing, the film brings together an independent production team for a story rooted in a reported real-life incident.
The reported inspiration behind He Talks to Me distinguishes its premise from that of a conventional psychological thriller. The account of a coerced baptism raises questions about the misuse of authority and the vulnerability of people confronted by those entrusted with enforcing the law. By placing this conflict within the experience of a young mother, the film focuses on an individual’s struggle rather than a broader procedural investigation.
Further details, including the film’s release date and production schedule, have not yet been announced. The project brings together Gabor and Langlie in the lead roles, Kallas behind the camera and Adams as screenwriter for a psychological thriller built around coercion, power and survival.
