First Look at Psychological Thriller ‘John Is Sad’ [Exclusive]
Dread has the first look at psychological thriller ‘John Is Sad’, which just wrapped production and features a guy with a thing for clowns.
![First Look at Psychological Thriller ‘John Is Sad’ [Exclusive]](https://www.dreadcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/26797328-65b5-4c6a-ac21-3aadfe28ccc4-1600x720.jpg)
John may be sad, but Dread is happy to debut the exclusive first look at the psychological thriller John Is Sad. And if there’s anything to be said based on the images, it’s that John has quite the thing for clowns.
Aaron Dalla Villa (The Wrath of Becky, The Plastic Men) is leading the psychological thriller John Is Sad, the debut feature from the newly launched New York-based Red Octopus Films, produced in association with Dalla Villa’s One Man Army Productions.
The film, which just wrapped production in New York, marks the feature directorial debut of Mark Foscolo, a VFX artist whose credits include Bone Tomahawk and White Boy Rick.
Dalla Villa stars opposite Sydney Amanuel (Nesting Dolls).
John Is Sad follows John (Dalla Villa), an emotionally unstable drifter with no memory of his own past who seeks help from Dr. Charlotte Harrington (Amanuel), an overworked therapist navigating an unexpected pregnancy and an estranged family. As their sessions deepen, so does John’s attachment to her.
The project also marks the launch of Red Octopus Films, founded by Foscolo and Corey Pierno, a 2025 Emmy-nominated stunt coordinator whose credits include The Penguin, Best Medicine and Dolly.
Foscolo, Pierno and TJ Foscolo produce alongside Dalla Villa’s , Stef Sparks through Fireball Films, and Ralph C. Schulz through RISE Studios, the production arm of RISE FLIX.
