Experiencing Interruptions?

The Wolf

1980s. A Tahoe Cabin. Dinner. Friends. PTSD. What could go wrong?

A casual dinner party between friends turns into anything but ordinary as Stacy’s memories erode her composure to expose the inner workings of her mind, transforming her from mild housewife to dangerous creature. Who is the Wolf? Haunting visuals, colors, and music expose Stacy’s inner emotional turmoil.

  • Sarah Riley
    Director
  • Sarah Riley
    Writer
  • Sarah Riley
    Producer
  • Sarah Riley
    Key Cast
    "Stacy"
  • Billy Hayes
    Key Cast
    "Dale"
  • Marc Winnick
    Key Cast
    "Jim"
  • Malie Mason
    Key Cast
    "Deborah"
  • Robert Rodriquez
    Director of Photography
  • Eric Nguyen
    Editing
  • Andres Barrientos
    Sound
  • Andrea Ramos
    1st Assistant Director
  • Zach Domingo
    1st Assistant Camera
  • Sarah Riley
    Costume Design
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Music Video, Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Experimental
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 11, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    8,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 6K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    12:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Sarah Riley

Sarah Riley is a gender and genre fluid creator based in Venice, CA.
Her roots as a jazz sax musician set the tone of her work as a multi-hyphenated creator: there are no rules. She graduated from the UCSD theater program in 2014 and continues to grow as an actor, writer, director, and musician through the blending of voices and storytelling across multiple mediums. Her focus as of late has been the passionate search for the places where film and music intersect.

This is Riley’s directorial and writing debut, showcasing work that is honest, vulnerable, and raw. She is currently developing several series that shine much-needed spotlights on invisible illnesses, queer underdogs, (and cinnamon allergies).

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Women are twice as likely as men to be exposed to trauma and develop PTSD, especially at the hands of their loved ones. As a survivor myself, I have craved representations closer to my personal experience with the disorder. Current media has a tendency to tell tales spotlighting strong men who serve their country, rather than focus on the stories of the survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.

The physical and mental experience of having a PTSD episode is difficult to discuss mainly because there are few words that would do the situation justice. The goal of this film is to show the chaotic inner turmoil, panic, and pain that occurs in the midst of an episode. I can’t speak for all survivors of sexual and domestic abuse, or for the PTSD community as a whole, but through sharing my truth, I hope to create more awareness and empathy around the subject. This passion project serves as a way to process my own personal struggle with the disorder by telling my origin story; why I am the way I am, and what truly lives in my trauma-riddled mind.