Hero Complex

In this Michael Mann-inspired short film, a man's enigmatic gas station stop unravels a shadowy world of suspense, mystery, and moral complexity, culminating in unexpected and high-stakes choices.

  • Matthew J Thornton
    Director
    Silverfish, Psycho Soliloquy
  • Matthew J Thornton
    Writer
    Silverfish, Psycho Soliloquy
  • Denise A Thornton
    Producer
    Silverfish, Psycho Soliloquy
  • Matthew J Thornton
    Key Cast
    "Man 1"
    Silverfish, Psycho Soliloquy
  • Art Acuna
    Key Cast
    "Man 2"
  • Weston Beseda
    Key Cast
    "Paramedic 1"
  • Owen Beseda
    Key Cast
    "Paramedic 2"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 10 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 22, 2022
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • San Antonio Film Festival
    San Antonio, TX
    United States
    August 5, 2022
    World Premiere
  • FlatHead Lake International Cinemafest
    Polson, MT
    United States
    February 24, 2023
Director Biography - Matthew J Thornton

Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, Denise and Matthew Thornton co-own and run Griffyn.Co Productions, which specializes in audio/visual media, as well as documentary and narrative filmmaking. The two also co-host the new podcast, Creative Moonlighting.

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Director Statement

Hero Complex is a simply constructed film that was spawned from a nightmare and executed during the period of extended lockdown due to the pandemic.