One of theworst things about COVID-19was the uncertainty that made us doubtful about our health and that of our friends and family members. This pushed people to react in a variety of ways, and a certain trio saw this as an opportunity to becomebig Hollywood names. This is the story ofWes Is Dying,a comedywhose trailer Collider can exclusively debut thanks to Gravitas Ventures. The story centers around two pals who take a road trip to visit a bedridden friend and document the whole thing.The movie premieres on Digital and Cable VOD on April 9.
But why would anyone want to watch a movie set during COVID times and aboutthe woes of a white guy? Fortunately for the trio,D’Arcy Carden(The Good Place) is there to ask that difficult question and prompt them to find some narrative angle that would makeWes Is Dyingstand out. Aside from the fact that, you know, Wes is indeed dying, and this event alone is worth making a movie with friends and loved ones.
TheWes Is Dyingteam also impressively managed to getMark Duplass(The Morning Show) into their movie. They needed a strong name to help audiences become interested in the story and, as the trailer suggests, the actor was game about popping up in the film and getting some face time in. It also looks like they managed toget some hilarious product placementin since their road trip will be filled with stops at some of the country’s most famous fast-food chains.
Who Is The Team Behind ‘Wes Is Dying?’
The Wes from the title isWes Schlagenhauf, who lived inBoise, Idahoat the time of filming. His two best friends turned filmmakers areDevin DasandParker Seaman. While the trailer leans heavily on the side of comedy to invite viewers in, it’s possible to see the underlying tragedy of the story. This gets hinted here and there in the trailer, and it’s possible thatyou’ll need a tissue or two by the end of the screening.
Inan official statement, Seaman revealed that originally his only goal withWes Is Dyingwas “to make somethinglonger than five minutesthat would make my friends laugh,” and then it evolved into “a two-year therapy session making a film that encapsulates 10 years of friendship.” He also revealed what his approach was to his own material:
“With three leads who are virtually nobodies, excluding Devin’s exceptional work in an Office Depot commercial, we needed a way to stand out. I loved the idea of a plot that blurred the line between fiction and reality, where the audience would question how real some moments in the film are. The goal being: I don’t know who these guys are, but they seem to be going through some shit and I need to know how it all ends.”
Wes Is Dyingpremieres on Digital and Cable VOD on April 9. you may watch our exclusive trailer above.
Wes Is Dying
After finding out their best friend is dying, filmmakers Parker and Devin decide to document their journey to see Wes one last time - all in the name of Hollywood success.
