Dominic Sessa, the breakout star of Alexander Payne’s Academy Award-winning The Holdovers, has officially signed on to headline the upcoming action-thriller Shades of Paradise. Directed and written by visionary filmmaker Weston Razooli, the film marks a significant departure from the intimate, character-driven work that previously defined the creative trajectories of both the lead actor and the director. Production on the project has recently concluded in Spain, with the crew utilizing the rugged and diverse landscapes of the Iberian Peninsula to ground the story’s sprawling narrative.
The film follows a quartet of small-time criminals whose lives are irrevocably altered following a high-stakes jewel heist. What begins as a seemingly standard criminal enterprise quickly devolves into an odyssey defined by betrayal, survival, and escalating violence. To achieve a distinct visual language, Razooli collaborated with cinematographer Simone D’Arcangelo, known for his work on The Settlers. The production team opted to shoot the film on 2-perf 35mm film, a stylistic choice intended to provide the grit and textural depth synonymous with classic, high-octane heist cinema.
A Rising Ensemble Cast
The production has assembled a sprawling international cast to accompany Sessa in this ensemble piece. Joining the lead are Jack Dylan Grazer, known for his work in the IT franchise; Naira Lleo; Najwa Nimri; Rojuu; Zack Harrod; Teru Castilla Serrano; Romann Berrux; Rhys Mitchell; and Stanislav Baretsky. The inclusion of a globally recognized cast suggests a strategic move toward international distribution, leveraging both established veteran actors and rising stars from various European and North American markets.
The project is backed by Kaplan Morrison, the production powerhouse founded by David Kaplan and Andrew Morrison. Andrew Morrison served as the primary producer for this endeavor. The production represents a high-profile addition to the Kaplan Morrison slate, which has recently gained significant momentum following the success of Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist and Mona Fastvold’s The Testament of Ann Lee.
Razooli’s Evolving Cinematic Voice
Weston Razooli’s transition into this larger-scale action film follows his critically acclaimed debut feature, Riddle of Fire. That film, which garnered significant attention at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival’s Director’s Fortnight and subsequently played at the Toronto International Film Festival’s Midnight Madness, established Razooli as a director with an uncompromising aesthetic vision.
Riddle of Fire was notable for its DIY ethos; Razooli not only wrote and directed the film but also handled editing, costume design, and prop fabrication. By contrast, Shades of Paradise represents a shift toward a more traditional, large-scale production model, yet it retains the signature stylistic fingerprints that defined his early work. Observers in the industry suggest that Razooli’s move into the action genre is a logical progression for a filmmaker who prioritizes kinetic energy and intricate world-building.
The Trajectory of Dominic Sessa
Dominic Sessa’s involvement in Shades of Paradise comes at a pivotal moment in the young actor’s career. Since his debut as the troubled but sensitive Angus Tully in The Holdovers—a role that earned him a BAFTA nomination and a Best Breakthrough Performance award at the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards—Sessa has carefully curated a slate of diverse roles.
His current output reflects a deliberate push to avoid typecasting. He is currently starring as a young Anthony Bourdain in the A24 biopic Tony, directed by Matt Johnson and featuring Antonio Banderas and Leo Woodall. His recent filmography also includes the feature Tow, directed by Stephanie Laing, and the ensemble heist thriller Now You See: Now You Don’t, which saw him working alongside industry titans such as Woody Harrelson and Morgan Freeman. With a performance in the Michael Showalter-directed Oh. What. Fun. alongside Michelle Pfeiffer, Sessa has demonstrated a range that spans indie drama, biographical features, and now, international action.
Production and Financial Infrastructure
The production of Shades of Paradise involves a robust team of executive producers, signaling a well-resourced venture. Alongside producers Mark Lampert, Oleg Nodelman, and Michael D’Alto, a massive list of executive producers—including David Kaplan, Elisa Lleras, Alba Barneda, Marta Cruanas, and many others—highlights the collaborative nature of this international production.
The decision to film in Spain not only offers a compelling aesthetic backdrop but also serves as a strategic economic move, utilizing local production incentives and infrastructure. Kaplan Morrison, based in New York, has demonstrated a consistent ability to secure prestige projects, and their involvement in Shades of Paradise suggests that they anticipate significant festival and commercial potential for the film. The company’s recent track record—including the Sundance-winning Josephine and the upcoming release of David Robert Mitchell’s They Follow—positions them as a dominant force in contemporary independent cinema.
Industry Implications and Market Outlook
The union of Sessa and Razooli on a project of this scale is a notable industry development. For Sessa, the film serves as a test of his viability as a bankable lead in an action-oriented vehicle, moving him out of the supporting ensembles that characterized his post-Holdovers work. For Razooli, the project represents a significant leap in budget and scope.
Market analysts suggest that the appetite for high-quality, mid-budget action films is currently undergoing a renaissance. As major studios pivot toward massive franchise tentpoles, independent production companies are increasingly filling the void for stylish, character-driven thrillers. The choice to shoot on 35mm is particularly relevant in today’s market; it provides the film with a "prestige" quality that is highly valued by boutique distributors and streaming platforms looking to differentiate their libraries from digital-first content.
Chronology of Development
The trajectory of Shades of Paradise has been swift. Following the completion of post-production on Riddle of Fire, Razooli entered the pre-production phase for this feature in late 2023. Casting was finalized in the first quarter of 2024, with Sessa’s involvement secured just as his busy schedule allowed for a gap between his promotional duties for Tony and his upcoming projects. The physical production in Spain occurred over the summer of 2024, with the crew navigating a demanding schedule that prioritized the use of practical, on-location cinematography over excessive reliance on post-production visual effects.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
As the project enters the final stages of post-production, the industry is keeping a close watch on the film’s distribution strategy. Given the pedigree of the producers and the buzz surrounding the cast, Shades of Paradise is widely expected to be a strong contender for major festival slots in 2025.
The film stands as a case study in how modern independent filmmakers can leverage their early successes to command larger resources. By maintaining his core creative team while expanding his narrative horizons, Weston Razooli appears poised to transition from a festival darling to a filmmaker capable of executing high-concept action. Simultaneously, Dominic Sessa’s role in the film solidifies his status as one of the most versatile actors of his generation, capable of navigating the demands of character-focused drama and the technical rigor of action cinema with equal proficiency. As the film moves toward its anticipated release, it serves as a testament to the ongoing evolution of the heist genre, promising a blend of classical technique and contemporary performance that aims to resonate with both critics and global audiences.
