The landscape of modern independent cinema is set to shift with the upcoming release of Crime Novella, a stylish, high-stakes thriller marking the feature directorial debut of Omar de Soto. The film, which recently concluded production, has generated significant industry buzz due to its commitment to traditional celluloid aesthetics and a high-profile ensemble cast. Featuring Percy Hynes White, known for his breakout role in Netflix’s Wednesday, and Jeff Wahlberg, a standout from HBO’s Euphoria, the project is framed by producers as a contemporary homage to the transgressive, road-trip sensibilities of classic American cinema.
The production, financed by Roland Emmerich’s Centropolis Entertainment, represents a strategic pivot for the veteran disaster-film filmmaker, who serves as executive producer. By leaning into the gritty, atmospheric traditions of films like Terrence Malick’s Badlands and David Lynch’s Wild at Heart, the team behind Crime Novella aims to capture a distinct visual identity that contrasts sharply with the digital-heavy output currently dominating the market.
A Chronology of the Production
The development of Crime Novella moved with impressive efficiency through the 2026 production cycle. The project was conceived by Omar de Soto, who serves as the writer, director, and producer. Pre-production began in early 2026, with the team prioritizing locations that could evoke a sense of timeless, sun-drenched Americana.
Principal photography commenced in the early summer of 2026, utilizing a sprawling, multi-state production schedule. The crew moved between the rugged desert landscapes of Albuquerque, New Mexico, the sprawling urban sprawl of Los Angeles, the neon-lit artifice of Las Vegas, and various scenic locations across Mexico. The decision to shoot on 35mm film was a deliberate artistic choice, intended to impart a tactile, organic grain to the narrative that digital capture often lacks. By late August 2026, the production had wrapped, moving immediately into an intensive post-production phase. The recent release of the first-look imagery serves as the primary marketing milestone, signaling that the project is nearing its final stages of completion.
The Ensemble Cast
The strength of the film lies in its curated cast, which balances emerging stars with veteran character actors. Percy Hynes White, who gained international recognition for his portrayal of Xavier Thorpe in the first season of Wednesday, takes on the role of one of the film’s central lovers. Opposite him, Jeff Wahlberg brings the intensity that characterized his recent work in the third season of Euphoria.
The supporting cast is anchored by Zlatko Burić, whose inclusion adds significant prestige to the project. Burić, who secured the Best Actor award at the 35th European Film Awards for his performance in Ruben Östlund’s Palme d’Or-winning Triangle of Sadness, has a long-standing creative relationship with the production team, having previously collaborated with Roland Emmerich on the 2009 disaster blockbuster 2012.
The cast is further bolstered by Bobby Soto, whose performance in The Tax Collector showcased his ability to handle gritty, high-stakes material, and Ava del Cielo, a veteran of television dramas including House of Cards, From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, and the MGM+ original Get Shorty. The combination of these actors suggests a film that prioritizes character-driven conflict, relying on the chemistry between the leads to anchor the more kinetic elements of the plot.
Artistic Vision and Producer Perspectives
For Omar de Soto, the project represents the culmination of a long-gestating vision. In a statement regarding the production, de Soto emphasized the collaborative nature of the filmmaking process, noting that the heart of the movie rests entirely on the dynamic between the two protagonists, Cash and Valentine.
"I couldn’t have asked for a more fitting cast," de Soto remarked. "Cash and Valentine have always been the heart of this film, and Percy and Jeff understood the world I was trying to build from the beginning. Percy and Jeff are intoxicating onscreen. You simply cannot take your eyes off them."
The involvement of Roland Emmerich—a director synonymous with massive, high-budget spectacle—as an executive producer provides an intriguing layer of industry support. Centropolis Entertainment, through producers Paul Bennett IV and Marco Shepherd, provided the necessary financial backing to ensure the film could be executed on the director’s own terms. This level of autonomy is increasingly rare in the current climate, where mid-budget thrillers often face rigid creative oversight from studios. By funding the project independently, the producers have allowed de Soto to maintain a singular, uncompromising vision that adheres to the "transgressive spirit" the team has publicly promoted.
Industry Implications and Market Positioning
The release of Crime Novella comes at a time when the independent film sector is struggling to find a balance between artistic experimentation and commercial viability. The film’s focus on the "lovers-on-the-run" trope is a well-trodden path in cinema, but the choice to shoot on 35mm film positions the movie as a prestige item for film festivals and boutique distributors.
From an analytical perspective, the film serves as a test case for whether established genre archetypes, when executed with high-end technical production values, can still command a theatrical audience. By leaning into the aesthetic of 1970s and 90s road movies, Crime Novella differentiates itself from the glut of serialized, franchise-driven content. The use of 35mm film is not merely a stylistic flourish; it is a marketing signal to cinephiles that the film is intended for a large-format experience.
Furthermore, the talent involved suggests a multi-generational appeal. Hynes White and Wahlberg bring a younger, socially-engaged audience base, while the presence of Zlatko Burić and the backing of a legendary producer like Emmerich provide credibility to the older demographic that values European-influenced, high-brow thriller cinema.
Looking Ahead
As Crime Novella heads toward its final cut, industry observers are looking for signs of a potential festival premiere. Given the production timeline and the pedigree of the participants, a debut at a major international festival—such as Sundance, Berlin, or Toronto—would be a logical step for a film aiming to establish its critical credentials before a wider release.
The logistical complexity of the shoot, covering multiple international borders and desert climates, speaks to the ambition of the production team. While specific plot details remain closely guarded, the overarching theme of characters discovering the limits of their commitment to one another suggests a narrative that will rely heavily on pacing and atmosphere.
For Percy Hynes White, the role represents a significant move into the leading man category, shifting away from his previous work in the fantasy and supernatural genres. Similarly, for Jeff Wahlberg, the project offers a platform to showcase a more complex range than his prior television work has allowed.
As the film moves into the final stages of sound design, color grading, and distribution planning, the industry will be watching closely to see if this "modern descendant of Badlands" can truly deliver on its promise. In an era where the definition of a "thriller" is constantly being rewritten by streaming algorithms, Crime Novella stands as a reminder of the enduring power of traditional filmmaking methods and the allure of a story told with a singular, focused vision. With the full support of Centropolis behind it, the film is poised to be one of the more talked-about independent releases in the coming year.
