Paranoia, the paranormal, and a whole heap of galaxy-brained conspiracy theories are at the center of “Something In The Dirt,” the new lo-fi sci-fi thriller from ambitious indie filmmakers Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. Known for their trippy, surreal sci-fi horror films, “Endless,” “Synchronic,” and “Spring,” but also lately their collaborations with Marvel—directing “Moon Knight” episodes and being upped to the lead filmmakers on “Loki” season two—the duo is really having a moment of late.

Continue reading ‘Something In The Dirt’: Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead Talk Paranoia, That Charlie Day Conspiracy Meme & The ‘X-Files’ Of It All [Interview] at The Playlist.

Fresh off directing episodes of Marvel’s “Moon Knight” and then being upped as the main directors on “Loki” season two, indie filmmakers Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead have returned for their own solo effort, “Something In The Dirt.” Known for trippy, surreal, strange, high-concept, sci-fi, and horror films like “Spring,” “The Endless,” and “Synchronic,” Benson and Moorhead’s work is always unique, and for ‘Dirt,’ their latest, the duo crafted one of their most lo-fi efforts.

Continue reading ‘Something In The Dirt’ Trailer: Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead’s New Conspiratorial Sci-Fi Mindbender Comes Out In November at The Playlist.

The directing duo of Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead are very hands-on with their films. Not only do they tend to write and direct the features, but they also produce, edit, and sometimes star in the films, as well. That’s exactly the case in their next feature, “Something in the Dirt.”

READ MORE: ‘Something In The Dirt’ Review: Benson & Moorhead Land A Darkly Funny Sci-Fi Gem About Galaxy-Brained Paranoia & Conspiracies [Sundance]

As seen in the new teaser for “Something in the Dirt,” the film follows the story of two neighbors who seemingly witness a supernatural event.

Continue reading ‘Something In The Dirt’ Teaser: Benson & Moorhead Return With Another Mind-Bending Sci-Fi Film at The Playlist.

Directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead go way down the rabbit hole in their new film, “Something In The Dirt,” one of the big standout films from the Sundance Film Festival. A pandemic brainchild of necessity—what can we shoot during the pandemic which is relatively inexpensive but still doable, so we don’t lose our marbles and can stay artistic—“Something In The Dirt” is a trippy, DIY, sci-fi-ish film about a pair of loser (played by the two filmmakers themselves) dudes in dystopic Los Angeles who stumble upon the unexplainable.

Continue reading ‘Something In The Dirt’: Benson & Moorhead Talk Their Trippy, “Down The Rabbit Hole” Film, ‘Moon Knight’ & More [Sundance] at The Playlist.

As you’ve hopefully heard by now (and read our review), the Sundance film “Something In The Dirt” is a big hit. From filmmakers Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, who I like to describe as DIY versions of Christopher Nolan—that is to say ambitious, cerebral, complex sci-fi, horror, and genre films, but done on a lo-fi scale—“Something In The Dirt” is a swirl of all their previous heady, high-concept ideas, but with a hefty dose of humor and a deep look at the world of phenomenon, conspiracy theories and even pareidolia or apophenia (essentially the phenomenon of seeing patterns, consistencies and correlations of things that just aren’t there).

Continue reading Listen: An Album Leaf Soundtrack Cut From Benson & Moorhead’s Sundance Film ‘Something In The Dirt’ [Exclusive] at The Playlist.

Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead work in such a specific, sui generis key and style, producing such exciting results on a small scale, that it’s genuinely shocking they haven’t been swooped up by the Tentpole Industrial Complex and asked to feed their gifts into the content machine. The conglomerates’ loss is our gain; their latest fusion of science fiction, character drama, dark comedy, and overwhelming paranoia, “Something in the Dirt,” feels like their most personal film – and not just because they wear so many hats, directing and writing and producing and editing and starring.

Continue reading ‘Something In The Dirt’ Review: Benson & Moorhead Land A Darkly Funny Sci-Fi Gem About Galaxy-Brained Paranoia & Conspiracies [Sundance] at The Playlist.

Somehow, Sundance 2020 — the last in-person iteration of the fest, pre-pandemic — feels like it was both a million years ago and just the other day. If COVID has taught us anything outside revealing the darkest side of humanity, it’s that time is definitely a construct. Many are still trying to catch up on various titles they might have missed over the last twelve months — most, no doubt, out of enjoyment, but, always some out of perceived awards’ season obligation, let’s be real.

Continue reading Sundance 2022 Preview: 20 Must-See Movies From The Festival at The Playlist.

The unveiling of the 2022 Sundance Film Festival line-up was decidedly unique. For the first time in recent memory, acquisition films are dominating the proceedings. Sure, there are a few A24 and Amazon Studios films here and there, but for the most part, the mini-majors decided to pass on a hybrid in-person and virtual festival (for a variety of reasons). In many ways, that may benefit festival-goers who are in for more “unseen” surprises than usual.

Continue reading 22 Most Anticipated Sundance 2022 Films: ‘Cha Cha Real Smooth,’ ‘Fire of Love,’ ‘FRESH’ at The Playlist.

When indie production companies begin to work in the distribution space, it’s important for them to launch with something great. And for XYZ Films, the company is setting its first feature distribution to be the new film, “Something in the Dirt,” from two of the most exciting directors working today.

READ MORE: ‘Moon Knight’: Marvel Taps Indie Directors Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead For Multiple Episodes

According to THR, XYZ Films is setting its distribution debut to be the new feature, “Something in the Direct,” from the directing duo of Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead.

Continue reading Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead’s New Feature, ‘Something In The Dirt,’ Will Be The First Release From XYZ Films at The Playlist.