This isn’t just another survival flick. To Die Alone has already won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the San Francisco Independent Film Festival. That’s a testament to the film’s ability to connect with audiences on a deeply emotional level. It’s a sign that you’re in for a powerful cinematic experience.
The film introduces us to Irving (Lisa Jacqueline Starrett), a solitary hiker who prefers the quiet solitude of the wilderness. Her path crosses with Ford (James Tang), a charismatic EMT. As they trek along the scenic Pacific Crest Trail, they are drawn together by their love of the rugged terrain. They journey towards a secluded lake.
However, their idyllic trek takes a terrifying turn when Irving suffers a devastating injury while swimming. Stranded deep within the vast forest, they face harsh off-season elements closing in. As the threat of infection looms, Irving and Ford are forced into a desperate battle for survival. They must navigate the unforgiving terrain, relying on their skills and dwindling resources to stay alive.
The natural world turns hostile, and the odds are stacked against them. To Die Alone poses a chilling question: How far would you go to survive? It delves into the depths of human endurance and the lengths we’ll go to when pushed to our absolute limits.
Directed and written by Austin Smagalski (Donovan Reid), To Die Alone is a passion project that Glass Creek Films and Charming Stranger Films brought to life. Austin Smagalski and Connie Jo Sechrist produce, with G.W. Smagalski and Kai Smagalski serving as executive producers. The film features powerful performances from James Tang (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, NCIS: Los Angeles, Get Away, Nine Days) and Lisa Jacqueline Starrett (Get Away, Nine Days).
“To Die Alone is a story about survival, both physical and emotional,” says director Austin Smagalski. “Everyone on this project worked to make it a film that will have you laughing one moment, crying the next, and walking away changed for the better.”
This film promises to be more than just a thrill ride. It’s a profoundly human story about the bonds we forge in adversity and the strength we find when pushed to the edge. Get ready for a gripping and emotionally resonant experience when To Die Alone arrives on digital platforms and Blu-ray on March 25, 2025.
