EYE OF A NEEDLE
A Neo-Western Psychological Thriller Feature Film
There is sustained demand for grounded, character-driven thrillers that combine moral tension, contained production, and strong performances.
Films like No Country for Old Men, Hell or High Water, and Drive continue to perform because they deliver clear stakes, relatable desperation, and high rewatch value.
At the same time, there is a growing audience for stories centered on veterans navigating civilian life, economic pressure in small-town America, and corruption within systems meant to protect.
Eye of the Needle is positioned directly within this space.
A war-scarred mechanic on the brink of collapse discovers cartel cash—and becomes the target of a violent manhunt.
At its core, the film follows a man trying to save his family while being pulled into a system that threatens to destroy him, where every decision carries irreversible consequences.
This is a contained, high-tension survival story driven by character and moral stakes.
Cal Prouty, a former Marine, is struggling to keep his life intact. His auto shop is failing, his mother is dying, and debt is closing in.
When he stumbles upon a bag of cartel money, it appears to be a lifeline. Instead, it makes him a target.
Federal agents, cartel killers, and his own past converge, pulling him into a violent chain reaction he cannot escape.
As the pressure builds, Cal is forced to confront how far he is willing to go to survive—and what that survival will ultimately cost.
The story is set in Santo Cristo, a desolate desert town defined by decay, isolation, and economic decline.
Faded buildings, abandoned infrastructure, and a shrinking community create an environment where survival feels increasingly uncertain.
The setting reflects the protagonist’s internal state: worn down, trapped, and on the edge of collapse.
The film operates within a grounded, hard-edged realism, blending slow-burn tension with sudden bursts of violence.
The visual language emphasizes:
Controlled, deliberate camera movement
Intimate, character-focused framing
Warm, desaturated tones reflecting the harsh desert environment
The tone strips away romanticism and presents a world where moral clarity is absent and survival often comes at a personal cost.
Eye of the Needle explores the intersection of survival, morality, and systemic failure.
The film examines:
The consequences of desperation
The fragility of personal ethics under pressure
The tension between loyalty and self-preservation
The erosion of trust in institutions
At its core, the story asks what happens when the systems meant to protect individuals instead contribute to their downfall.
The project is designed as a contained, performance-driven feature with strong genre appeal.
Key advantages include:
A focused production scope that supports budget control
A proven genre with consistent audience demand
Strong roles that attract recognizable talent
The film is positioned for:
Streaming platforms
Premium video-on-demand
Strategic festival exposure to support sales
The project is supported by an experienced creative team and select cast attachments.
Richard Rosen
Jarrod Burris
Cinematographer with over 25 feature credits, including major studio and award-winning projects
Production designer with extensive experience across genre and studio films
Alexander Wraith (Lead)
Shane West
Eye of the Needle is structured as a single-feature project with a clear path to monetization through distribution.
Revenue is driven by:
Domestic and international licensing
Streaming platform acquisition
Video-on-demand performance
The project is designed to deliver value through disciplined production, strong performances, and clear genre positioning.
The film is positioned within the mid-range independent market, with a projected budget of $2.5M - 3.5M depending on final P&A, cast and production scope.
Up to date financing structure and allocation will be detailed in the full investor materials.
The project’s performance is dependent on execution, talent stability, and market positioning.
Risk is mitigated through:
Recognizable cast attachments
A contained production model
A proven genre with consistent demand
Eye of the Needle represents a story-driven project by a first-time filmmaker, supported by disciplined development and strategic packaging. We are surrounding him with a strong creative foundation, aligning the right team, and positioning the film effectively for market entry.
The project is currently advancing through final development and packaging.
Upcoming milestones include:
Finalizing budget and financing structure
Securing cast commitments
Preparing for market engagement and distribution conversations
James Timberlake
Chairman, Storie Foundation
Help Us Make Eye of A Needle.