IFC Midnight has just acquired North American rights to the “retro Tinder nightmare” Rent-A-Pal, written and directed by Jon Stevenson.
“Set in 1990, a lonely bachelor named David (Brian Landis Folkins) searches for an escape from the day-to-day drudgery of caring for his aging mother (Kathleen Brady). While seeking a partner through a video dating service, he discovers a strange VHS tape called Rent-A-Pal. Hosted by the charming and charismatic Andy (Wil Wheaton), the tape offers him much-needed company, compassion, and friendship. But, Andy’s friendship comes at a cost, and David desperately struggles to afford the price of admission.”
Inspired by real-life VHS tape Rent-A-Friend: The Original Video Companion, the film is described as a response to loneliness in the analog era.
Rent-A-Pal was produced by Annie Elizabeth Baker, Jimmy Weber, Jon Stevenson of Pretty People Pictures, alongside J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules of BoulderLight Pictures.
IFC Midnight will release the film in September 2020.
