Prepare to be mesmerized by Gazer, the chilling new psychological thriller from visionary director Isaac Rodriguez (The Puppetman). This atmospheric horror film follows Frankie Rhodes, a young woman whose sleep paralysis visions reveal terrifying connections to a series of unsolved murders. Shot on striking 35mm film with practical effects, Gazer promises to deliver genuine scares through its unsettling imagery and powerhouse performances.

The film features an exceptional ensemble of rising stars and veteran character actors who bring depth to this twisted mystery. From Ariella Mastroianni’s haunting lead performance to Tommy Kang’s intense detective work, each cast member helps build the film’s pervasive sense of dread. Early test screenings have praised Gazer for its innovative approach to psychological horror and standout practical creature effects.

Gazer: Meet the Cast

1. Ariella Mastroianni as Frankie Rhodes

Breakout star Ariella Mastroianni (The Midnight Club, A Friend of the Family) delivers a tour-de-force performance as Frankie, the troubled protagonist whose nightmares bleed into reality. Mastroianni underwent sleep deprivation therapy to authentically portray Frankie’s deteriorating mental state, creating scenes so visceral they reportedly made crew members uneasy during filming.

The actress worked closely with sleep paralysis sufferers to understand their experiences, incorporating subtle physical tics and speech patterns into her performance. Her ability to shift between vulnerability and terrifying intensity makes Frankie one of the most compelling horror protagonists in recent memory.

2. Renee Gagner as Claire Reznik

Renee Gagner (The Fall of the House of Usher, Severance) brings nuanced complexity to Claire, Frankie’s skeptical but supportive best friend. Gagner’s naturalistic performance grounds the supernatural elements, making her character’s gradual belief in Frankie’s visions feel earned and emotionally resonant.

The actress developed an authentic chemistry with Mastroianni through intensive rehearsal periods, resulting in a friendship dynamic that makes their scenes together particularly heartbreaking as the story progresses.

3. Jack Alberts as Henry Foster

Stage veteran Jack Alberts makes his feature film debut as Henry Foster, the enigmatic stranger who may hold the key to Frankie’s visions. Alberts brings Shakespearean gravitas to the role, using his commanding voice and physical presence to create an aura of both menace and wisdom.

The actor drew inspiration from classic horror performances like Donald Pleasence in Halloween, crafting a character who exists in the shadows between helpful guide and potential threat. His monologue about “the things that watch us sleep” is already being hailed as an iconic horror moment.

4. Marianne Goodell as Diane Rhodes

Marianne Goodell (The Black Phone, Servant) delivers a devastating performance as Frankie’s alcoholic mother Diane. Goodell avoids caricature, instead showing Diane’s self-destructive behavior as an extension of her own unresolved trauma and guilt.

The actress’s real-life experience with recovery programs informed her raw, unflinching portrayal of addiction. Her scenes with Mastroianni feature some of the film’s most emotionally brutal moments, particularly a kitchen confrontation that was reportedly shot in one uninterrupted 11-minute take.

5. Tommy Kang as Detective Gale Chong

Tommy Kang (The Calling, Poker Face) brings grounded intensity to Detective Chong, the no-nonsense investigator reluctantly drawn into Frankie’s nightmare world. Kang’s performance smartly subverts the “disbelieving cop” trope, showing Chong as a pragmatic professional who becomes increasingly unnerved by the case’s supernatural elements.

The actor consulted with real homicide detectives to perfect his procedural approach, then layered in subtle signs of growing unease as the investigation progresses. His interrogation scene with Mastroianni is a masterclass in slowly building tension.

6. Marcia DeBonis as Brenda

Character actress Marcia DeBonis (The Undoing, The Good Fight) steals scenes as Brenda, the sardonic motel clerk who becomes an unlikely ally to Frankie. DeBonis brings much-needed dark humor to the film without undercutting its tension, creating a memorable supporting turn.

The veteran actress improvised many of Brenda’s best lines, including a now-iconic moment where she nonchalantly hands Frankie a shotgun while saying, “You look like you could use a little equalizer, honey.”

7. Luis Arroyo Jr. as Motel Manager

Luis Arroyo Jr. (The Bear, Chicago P.D.) delivers a chilling cameo as the morally ambiguous motel manager who may know more than he admits. Arroyo’s brief but impactful performance lingers in memory through his unsettling calm demeanor and knowing smiles.

The actor based his character on real-life encounters with shady landlords during his years working in Chicago theater, creating a portrait of opportunistic evil that feels terrifyingly authentic.

8. Jarrett Austin Brown as Owen

Jarrett Austin Brown (Swarm, Them) appears in the film’s most shocking sequence as Owen, a victim whose fate reveals the true nature of Frankie’s visions. Brown’s committed performance in this grueling role required extensive prosthetic work and physical contortions that left the crew genuinely disturbed.

Though his screen time is limited, Brown’s transformation creates one of the film’s most indelible horror images – a moment test audiences described as “the stuff of nightmares.”