Andrew Chappelle's Directorial Debut: "I'm Gonna Kill You"

Andrew Chappelle, known for his role in "Hamilton," is set to make his directorial debut with the queer erotic short film "I'm Gonna Kill You." The film stars Tony nominee James Cusati-Moyer alongside a diverse cast that includes Phillipa Soo, Johnny Sibilly, Michael Graceffa, Angus O’Brien, Brandon Black, and Sara Lindsey. The narrative unfolds in a futuristic "all gay colony," focusing on the intertwined lives of Cal (Cusati-Moyer) and Spector (Graceffa) as they navigate their relationship amidst the colony's dark dynamics.

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"I'm Gonna Kill You" is produced by Juxtapose Studio, which aims to elevate queer, female, and POC storytelling. The project received a $25,000 investment from Troye Sivan and Grindr’s Tap or Block campaign, along with a $5,000 production grant from the Pitch, Please! competition at the 2024 InsideOUT Toronto Film Festival. Chappelle, who also wrote the screenplay, expressed that the film was conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting on the experience of living in smaller communities during that time.

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Chappelle aims to expand the thriller genre within queer cinema, stating, “My goal with this project is to thoughtfully expand the thriller genre within the queer cinema canon.” He emphasizes the film's dual nature of being both arousing and petrifying, as it delves into themes of envy and its destructive power.

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The film enters a landscape where discussions around "diversity, equity, and inclusion" have become contentious. Chappelle acknowledges the challenges of bringing a high-brow LGBTQ+ erotic thriller to fruition, noting, “it wasn’t especially easy to bring one of the first high-brow LGBTQ+ erotic thrillers to life.” However, he remains optimistic about the film's potential to resonate with audiences and contribute to diversifying the genre.

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Chappelle's production partner, Luke Anderson, highlighted the studio's commitment to investing in diverse storytelling, stating, “Juxtapose Studio was founded with an intention to invest its advertising returns in elevating queer, female, and POC storytelling.” This reflects a broader industry trend towards inclusivity in film production.

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• “My goal with this project is to thoughtfully expand the thriller genre within the queer cinema canon.” — Andrew Chappelle, Director

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• “We find ourselves in a world where ‘diversity, equity and inclusion’ are now dirty words so it wasn’t especially easy to bring one of the first high-brow LGBTQ+ erotic thrillers to life …” — Andrew Chappelle, Director

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• “ Juxtapose Studio founding partner Luke Anderson said, “Juxtapose Studio was founded with an intention to invest its advertising returns in elevating queer, female, and POC storytelling.” — Luke Anderson, Founding Partner, Juxtapose Studio

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As "I'm Gonna Kill You" approaches its release, anticipation builds around its trailer and the potential impact it may have on the queer cinema landscape. The film's unique premise and Chappelle's directorial vision position it as a noteworthy addition to the genre.

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