Director Joseph Sperber assembles a rising-talent cast for his Cold War–era thriller, set to unfold in real time across a single Los Angeles location.
Writer-director Joseph Sperber’s debut feature Behind Closed Doors has announced its full cast as the political murder mystery enters production in Los Angeles. Starring Elijah Reed (Doom Patrol), Nick Samson (Poser), Melissa Alce (Matlock), Christian Haines (Law & Order), and Cherrell Mack (The Pitt), the film marks a striking first chapter for the filmmaker best known for his short Let Us Play, which starred genre veteran Doug Jones and screened at the LA Shorts International Film Festival.
Set in the fall of 1979, the film follows a wounded federal agent — played by Haines — who collapses into the apartment of his reclusive neighbor, played by Samson. What begins as a routine night rapidly deteriorates into a nightmarish standoff where secrets unravel, loyalties blur, and no one is who they claim to be.
Sperber has cited both formal ambition and political urgency as driving forces behind the project. “I’m very excited to tell this timely political story set in Washington, exploring truth and paranoia against the backdrop of the Cold War,” he said, adding that he intends to present the film entirely in real time, immersing audiences in a single location over the course of one night.
Producers Galileo Mondol (Pretty Problems) and Carlos Lopes for BT Studios (Overtime Hustle), alongside Aaron Schmidt — formerly chief of staff at Tooley Entertainment — described the project’s constraints as a creative draw. “In a single-location story, there are no gimmicks to hide behind,” they said. “Every performance, creative decision, and technical element has to carry its weight.” Director of photography Martin Taube (Holy Cowboys) rounds out the key crew.
Reed is represented by AEFH and Han Talent Group. Samson is repped by Brian Twohig at Roger Paul Inc. Alce is represented by NOVA Talent Group and Love Talent. Haines is repped by 5J Management. Mack is represented by 11:11 Entertainment and Collier Talent.