Oscar-nominated actress Maria Bakalova has officially signed on to her next genre-bending horror-comedy project. Deadline confirms that the talented performer will star in the upcoming feature titled Get Off Your Phone. Bakalova previously captivated global audiences with her breakout role in Borat and in A24’s Bodies Bodies Bodies. Now, the rising star continues exploring dark, satirical territory alongside a talented comedic cast.
Unplugging Turns Into a Nightmare
The movie marks the feature directorial debut of actress and writer Chelsea Frei. Frei will co-star in the lead role opposite Bakalova and “Saturday Night Live” veteran Jon Rudnitsky.
The film follows a canceled influencer named Daniela who retreats to rural Wisconsin with her boyfriend Jackson. Hoping to disconnect from digital noise, the couple attempts a quiet lifestyle reboot. However, an unsettling stranger named Rada enters their lives, turning their digital detox into a psychological nightmare.
Exploring Digital Obsession and Fear
The production team designed the film as a sharp fusion of social satire, psychological horror, and dark comedy. Chelsea Frei began writing the script during pandemic lockdowns when screen time spiked globally. The plot delves into the increasingly blurred boundaries between online personas and private identity. The terrifying narrative explores what happens when digital addiction reaches an absolute extreme within an isolated environment. Production banners Framehound and Phiphen Pictures are backing the independent feature.
Building on a Powerful Genre Legacy
Get Off Your Phone promises to deliver sharp, youth-driven genre commentary for horror enthusiasts worldwide. Moviegoers can expect further casting updates and release dates as pre-production continues.
