EXCLUSIVE: Colin Bates (Queer) and Ella Kennedy Davis (Your Friends and Neighbors) will topline These Little Ones Perish, an indie drama from director Alex Noyer (Sound of Violence), which has wrapped production in New York.
For Noyer, the circumstances surrounding the shoot were extraordinary, as he went to set just one week after losing his home in the devastating Palisades fire that destroyed over $6,000 structures. Hailing from Genco Pictures and You Know Films, the project is an adaptation of the play by Patrick Hamilton, who penned the script.
The story begins after a young altar boy’s tragic death by suicide in a local church. Father Frye (Bates) discovers the body, only to face resistance from the church hierarchy, the local police and the surrounding community. His investigation is driven by the grief and distrust of the boy’s older sister, Siobhan (Davis), as well as the church’s apparent urgency to bury the truth. Together, Frye and Siobhan — united by their shared loss but divided by Frye’s unwavering loyalty to the institution — uncover dark secrets buried within the church. As they dig deeper, Frye’s faith and career are put to the test, especially as his superior, the bishop, and his former mentor, the Monsignor, will do whatever it takes to stop the truth from surfacing.
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The supporting cast includes Kenneth Tigar (The Avengers), Zach Grenier (The Good Wife), Tony Plana (Ugly Betty), Lindsay Mendez (Merrily We Roll Along), Sebastian Conelli (Anora), and Ben Doherty (HBO’s Task). Producers incliuded Laurence Gendron (The Last Video Store, A Wounded Fawn) of Genco Pictures, who optioned the play in 2022, as well as Noyer (Sound of Violence, 808), and Pierre Gendron (10 ½, Jesus of Montreal). Nathan Marcus (Adam the First, Fior Di Latte) served as co-producer.
In a statement to Deadline, Noyer said, “I’m thrilled to shift gears and explore a drama after two genre films I’ve truly enjoyed making. Working with the incredibly talented Colin Bates and the extraordinary Ella Kennedy Davis, along with the rest of our fantastic cast, has been a deeply rewarding experience.”
Noyer went on to express his gratitude to DP Daniel Brothers and the rest of his “top-notch crew, who made this shoot unforgettable.” He added that “after losing my home in the Palisades fires, diving into this project with the unwavering support of my family, friends and crew has been both healing and fulfilling.”
Recently appearing in A24’s Queer, Bates will next be seen recurring on HBO’s crime drama Task from Mare of Easttown‘s Brad Ingelsby. His other TV credits include S.W.A.T., Chicago P.D., American Rust, and Mayans M.C., to name just a few.
Davis recurred on Hulu’s The Girl from Plainville and will next be seen opposite Jon Hamm on Apple TV+’s Your Friends and Neighbors.
Noyer made his feature directorial debut with Sound of Violence, a slasher starring Jasmin Savoy Brown which premiered at SXSW in 2021. More recently, he wrapped production on Love Is the Monster, a horror film starring Californication‘s Madeline Zima.
Bates is repped by Innovative; Davis by Paradigm; and Noyer by Steven Katleman of Katleman Media Law.
The post After Losing Home In Palisades Fire, Director Alex Noyer Wraps On Drama ‘These Little Ones Perish’; Colin Bates & Ella Kennedy Davis Star appeared first on Deadline.
