Rob Riggle is swapping physical comedy for spectral drama this spooky season. The actor is set to star as a man tormented by a ghost in the upcoming supernatural thriller Nickels.
A Ghostly Family Affair
Directed by Spencer King and written by Tim Tuchrello, Nickels centers on Tom Monroe (Riggle), a successful entrepreneur and family man who remains paralyzed by the teenage trauma of losing his older brother in a tragic motorcycle crash.
However, three decades later, history repeats itself when his neighbor’s son, Mitch Diller (Aaron Holliday), survives a horrific motorcycle wreck of his own. The incident triggers a spiral for Tom, who becomes convinced his late brother’s spirit has returned. As his desperate search for supernatural answers sends shockwaves through his family, Tom must confront the unresolved grief, test his faith, and reckon with the lingering haunting of his past.
An Ensemble Worth Haunting
Alongside Riggle, the film stars Odessa A’zion as Tom’s daughter and Bitsie Tulloch as his wife. The cast also includes Rebecca Gayheart, Vinessa Shaw, Aaron Holliday, and Tom Arnold, Deadline reports.
Briarcliff CEO and producer Tom Ortenberg praised the project’s emotional depth. They noted that King has crafted a deeply moving film centered on the enduring bonds that connect people—authentic, heartfelt performances from the ensemble anchor it.
The Team Behind the Terror
Tom Ortenberg, Danielle Goodman Strong, Andrew Ortenberg, and Jordan Dykstra produce Nickels. Serving as executive producers are Rainmaker Films’ Russell Geyser and Clay Pecorin. Randy Manis, Richard Rapkowski, and Robert Paschall Jr. also executive produce.
Riggle’s Killer Career
Rob Riggle’s film career began in the mid-2000s, transitioning from a U.S. Marine Corps officer and sketch performer on Saturday Night Live and The Daily Show into one of comedy’s premier scene-stealers. He quickly carved out a niche playing boisterous, over-the-top antagonists and eccentric authority figures in iconic hit comedies. That included Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006), Step Brothers (2008), The Hangover (2009), and 21 Jump Street (2012). His expressive vocal work made him a staple in family features, voicing prominent characters in animated hits like the Hotel Transylvania franchise. He’s lent his voice to characters in series like “American Dad,” “Rick and Morty,” and “Big Mouth.”
In recent years, Riggle has successfully expanded his repertoire beyond pure comedy to embrace dramatic and genre-focused projects. Leveraging his real-life military background, he portrayed Army Colonel Max Bowers in the true-story Afghanistan war drama 12 Strong (2018) and delivered emotional performances in titles like Midnight Sun (2018). Most recently, he has pivoted into darker, suspense-driven territory, taking on lead dramatic roles in supernatural thrillers like Don’t Move.
A Spooky Season Premiere
Briarcliff Entertainment has locked in the release date, bringing Nickels to select theaters and PVOD on October 2, 2026.
