The Toronto International Film Festival’s coveted Midnight Madness track is officially locking in its world premiere lineup. And director Nick Kozakis is ready to set the late-night crowd ablaze with his pulse-pounding new thriller, Kick On.
Known for his sharp directorial work on The Hitchhiker, The Hunter, and The BBQ, Kozakis brings a kinetic, unhinged energy to TIFF this year. Get ready for a dark, adrenaline-fueled descent into the underbelly of reckless indulgence.
A Party That Devolves Into Paradise Lost
The premise for Kick On promises a relentless spiraling journey into total claustrophobic chaos. What begins as an innocent night of heavy partying for four close friends quickly takes a deadly turn. They follow to the after-party at the extravagant, drug-soaked compound belonging to a mobster’s unpredictable son. Trapped inside a lavish haven turned blood-soaked battleground, the group is forced into a desperate fight for survival. Heavy paranoia, explosive violence, and gut-wrenching betrayal will tear their inner circle apart at the seams.
A High-Caliber Ensemble Cast
Kozakis has assembled a powerhouse ensemble to bring this high-stakes nightmare to life. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power breakout star Markella Kavenagh leads the charge alongside gritty genre veteran Nikolai Nikolaeff (Stranger Things, Marvel’s Daredevil). Adding further firepower to the screen are rising actor Ras-Samuel and revered character actor Jacek Koman (Moulin Rouge!, Children of Men, The Pianist).
Catch the Chaos at TIFF 2026
Festival-goers can witness Kick On firsthand and join the late-night crowd at the Royal Alexandra Theatre for the official World Premiere at TIFF on Monday, September 14, at 11:59 PM.
