Matthew Brdlik
Writer Director Producer
Matthew Brdlik is an award-winning filmmaker known for high-tension storytelling that explores the uncomfortable corners of human behavior. Based in Chicago, Matthew has built a reputation for the strong themes and tonality behind his work.
His early breakout, Dissidence earned international acclaim at festivals winning two awards before being optioned and licensed for distribution by Strange Loop Films ultimately earning 300k+ views, marking him as a rising specialist in the thriller genre. After winning the Storytelling Award at the Sidewalk Film Festival for Tantalization, he was tapped by Shed Films to direct and produce the $1M+ budgeted Wild Gamble Documentary Series.
Now returning to his narrative roots with nine shorts under his belt, Matthew brings a seasoned, clinical eye for suspense to his debut feature, Instinct of Fear. The project is the result of an intensive development cycle where Matthew authored eight feature length scripts, ultimately selecting this visceral story to lead his slate.
Angela Morris
Amber
Angela Morris is an award-winning actor and writer known for bringing a sharp, grounded intensity to the screen. A staple of high-stakes television, Angela’s credits span the One Chicago franchise (Med, P.D., Fire) and Apple TV+’s Shining Girls. In film she recently delivered a standout performance opposite Sean Astin in A Social Contract and a lead role in the upcoming 2026 festival favorite Never Not Yours.
On stage, she is an ensemble member of the prestigious Gift Theatre, recently headlining the world premiere of Cygnus by Emmy Award winning Succession writer Susan Soon He Stanton and was subsequently invited to join the ensemble.
Beyond the screen, Angela is a prolific voiceover artist for national campaigns and an emerging force in screenwriting; her second feature film is currently in pre-production with Grey’s Anatomy star Sarah Drew attached.
Drew Moerlein
Nick
Drew Moerlein is an award-winning actor and producer known for his ability to inhabit complex, often dangerous characters across film, television, and Broadway. He recently stepped into the iconic role of ‘Captain America’ for Skydance New Media’s cinematic blockbuster Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, slated for a late 2026 release.
A seasoned veteran of the thriller and horror genres, Moerlein starred as the sinister ‘Dusty’ opposite Mena Suvari in the supernatural drama TV Series, South of Hell and appeared in the Sundance cult-classic V/H/S. His extensive filmography includes the thriller Bloodline Killer (with Bruce Dern and Tyrese Gibson), the psychological drama Blind (opposite Alec Baldwin and Demi Moore), and the dark comedy Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose (opposite Simon Pegg, Minnie Driver and Christopher Lloyd).
On Broadway, he originated the role of Paul Owen in the Tony-nominated American Psycho. As a producer, his credits include the creature-thriller The Beast Within starring Kit Harington.
Leigha Sinnott
Emilie
From the prestigious stages of Lincoln Center to the lead of a Webby Award-winning interactive feature, Leigha Sinnott is a Juilliard trained rising star who seamlessly bridges the gap between the classical prestige of New York theater and high-octane genre filmmaking.
Currently starring as a series regular on the upcoming drama Chatham, Leigha has quickly developed a name for herself on the psychological thriller circuit. From her critically acclaimed turn in Stalked By My Amish Boyfriend (named one of ScreenRant’s Top 10 Lifetime Films of 2024) to leading the upcoming horror feature Entropy
Leigha brings a rare, grounded vulnerability to roles defined by tension and terror. Whether navigating the atmospheric dread of the upcoming Dark Soul River or the visceral demands of the stage, she is a magnetic performer who commands the screen when the stakes are at their highest.
Joe Swanberg
Featured as David
Joe Swanberg is a cornerstone of American independent cinema, celebrated for his prolific output and naturalistic approach to storytelling. Since his breakout in the mid-2000s, Swanberg has directed over 30 feature films and created the critically acclaimed Netflix anthology series Easy. His work is defined by its intimacy and raw human interaction, qualities that have made him a defining voice for a generation of filmmakers.
While widely recognized for his work behind the camera, Swanberg has built a distinct presence as a versatile actor. He has appeared in projects ranging from the cult-classic horror anthology V/H/S and Tri West’s The Sacramento, mumblecore staples he helped pioneer. His ability to bring grounded, relatable energy to high-stakes environments has made him a frequent collaborator for directors seeking authentic performances.
In Instinct of Fear, Swanberg brings his signature understated intensity to the screen in this featured role. His involvement bridges the gap between Chicago’s rich DIY filmmaking history and Matthew Brdlik’s stylized, high-tension vision. Swanberg’s presence adds a layer of grounded realism to the film’s atmosphere and marks a notable collaboration between a veteran of the Chicago scene and a rising specialist in cinematic dread.
Phil Rapa
Composer
Phil Rapa is a cinematic composer and producer whose work sits at the intersection of Hollywood’s most ambitious thriller and prestige television landscapes. Most recently, his production work on Ryan Murphy’s Grotesquerie was showcased at the 2025 Los Angeles Sync Summit, following his contributions to high-profile projects like Fire Country, Loot, and Lucasfilm’s The Book of Boba Fett. As a Creative Project Manager at Encompass Music Partners, Phil has become a vital collaborator for industry titans, coordinating music for Pixar’s Turning Red, handling choral sessions for Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, and managing vocal sessions for Blizzard Entertainment’s Hearthstone.
Beyond the studio, Phil is a distinguished force in the Los Angeles live scene, contributing synth programming to Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and performing at the Hollywood Bowl alongside legends such as Jennifer Hudson, Cynthia Erivo, and Adam Lambert. He has worked in direct support of Academy Award-winning and genre-defining composers including Bear McCreary, Heitor Pereira, David Newman, and Alexandre Desplat, performing the latter’s acclaimed music for Netflix’s Frankenstein. A world-class talent, Phil was recently named the winner of the New Works Rising international composition competition for his piece “Self-Reliance,” which premiered in late 2024 and toured globally throughout 2025.
Jake Bloom
Producer Casting Director
Jake Bloom is a seasoned producer with over a decade of experience and a specialized expertise in locations management. Renowned for his “get-it-done” attitude, Jake has built a successful blue collar – boots on the ground producing career on numerous award winning films, commercials, and music videos across the country.
Prior to producing Instinct of Fear Jake helped produce $Positions a feature film that went on to screen at SXSW, Fantasia, and many other festivals.
In addition to his production work, Jake founded Wayward Casting in 2016, which has quickly become one of Chicago’s leading casting companies. Under his leadership, the company has collaborated with an impressive roster of talent, including Michael Shannon, Tobin Bell, Alicia Keys, Chance the Rapper, Lil Durk, Mick Jenkins, Vic Mensa, and many more.
Nicholas Emmanuele
Cinematographer
Nicholas Emanuele is a distinguished cinematographer whose creative vision and technical prowess have made a significant impact in the Chicago film scene. He served as the cinematographer on the acclaimed feature-length experimental film Endless Content Forever, which earned the prestigious Grand Jury Award at the Chicago Underground Film Festival. Nicholas’s talent for capturing compelling visuals is also showcased in dozens of short films, including Dirtbag, which recently premiered at the renowned Chicago International Film Festival.
Nicholas brings a wealth of experience from working in the lighting department on high-profile blockbuster films such as The Killer and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley. His expertise extends to serving as the 2nd Unit Gaffer for Paramount+’s acclaimed series The Chi across seasons 6 and 7. Over the years, Nicholas has contributed to a diverse array of projects, from feature films and shorts to documentaries and commercials, honing his ability to craft stunning imagery on both large and small scales.
Hannah Darlene Strieber
Production Designer
Hannah Darlene Strieber is a highly accomplished production designer based in Austin, Texas, celebrated for her exceptional creativity and wide-ranging expertise in the film and television industry. A distinguished graduate of DePaul University’s honors program, Hannah holds a BFA in Film & Television with a specialized concentration in Production Design, underscoring her academic excellence and artistic vision.
Hannah’s career is marked by her impressive work on over 30 diverse projects, including narrative films, commercials, photoshoots, and complex fabrication tasks. Her expansive skill set encompasses critical roles such as Production Designer, Art Director, Set Decorator, Prop Master, and Special Effects (SFX) Makeup Artist.
In June 2024, Hannah was honored with the prestigious “Best Production Design” award at the Premier Film Festival, recognizing her extraordinary talent and commitment to excellence.
Production Designer
FULL CREDITS
Director MATTHEW BRDLIK
Writer MATTHEW BRDLIK
Producer MATTHEW BRDLIK
Producer JAKE BLOOM
ANGELA MORRIS
DREW MOERLEIN
LEIGHA SINNOTT
SHARIBA RIVERS
MICHAEL JAMES REED
PATRICK DE NICOLA
DEBO BALOGUN
Director of Photography NICHOLAS EMMANUELE
Production Designer HANNAH DARLENE AND CHRISTINA EAGLESON
Editor LAUREN MILLER & EMILY STREET & MATTHEW BRDLIK
Music by PHIL RAPA
Lead Visual Effects Artist DAREN BRUNET
Re-Recording Mixer and Dialogue Editor JAYSON NINER
Sound Designer ERIC SCHWARTZ
Casting by JAKE BLOOM
A Cartesian Production
INSTINCT OF FEAR
Unit Production Manager EVAN CHACON
First Assistant Director MATTHEW COOLEY
CAST
in order of appearance
Kid Amber ONIE MACEO WATLINGTON
Followed Woman CHARIN ALVAREZ
Woman’s Husband MIKE COOK
Woman’s Child MAZIE SYNDER
Amber ANGELA MORRIS
Dr. Rubinstien MICHAEL JAMES REED
Amber Mother JILL OLIVER
Amber Father JAMIE BORDA
Mr. Kobayashi MATTHEW C. YEE
Emilie LEIGHA SINNOTT
Kobayashi Body Guard EDWARD KIAHATSU
Nick DREW MOERLEIN
Man in Park MICHAEL BRDLIK
David JOE SWANBERG
Kelly ADRIANA TRAJKOVSKI
Officer Hartigan PATRICK DE NICOLA
Officer Michaels DEBO BALOGUN
Maintenance Man BILL REILLY
Homeless Man MICHAEL KUNICKI
Officer Krawczyk VINCENT TENINTY
Officer Smith KENN HEAD
Dr. Hartsfield SHARIBA RIVERS
CREW
Second Assistant Director APARAJITA SAHAY
Stunt Coordinator JOHN WOOD JR
Creative Sponsors JONATHAN SLAVIN
CLAYTON KYLE
Additional Locations ESTAVION WHITE
First Assistant Camera MILES ANDERSEN
Second Assistant Camera MIKKI DICK
KYLIE CLARK
Additional Second Assistant Camera SAMUEL TAGLE
ANDREW PINGRY
Additional Pickup Day DP TOM CISZEWSKI
Gaffer SAM DEMIO
SAMMY HOTCHBERG
Key Grip ALEX HOLZMAN
G&E Swing GRAHAM GARDNER
Grips KONNOR SIMMONS
DHRUV MEHRA
MATT HATLEBERG
SHANE DRESCH
Additional Gaffer STEVEN GARCIA
Additional Key Grip JULIA BENSON
Sound Mixer DYLAN SMITH
CHARLES ‘DEAN’ STOKES
Additional Boom Operator SEAN CARBERRY
Wardrobe Design HANNAH DARLENE
Wardrobe Hair and Makeup CHRISTINA EAGLESON
Special Effects Makeup HANNAH DARLENE
ANTANISHA STOKES
Art Swing CODY MICHAELS
Gorilla Mask Designer EDDIE YANG
Gorilla Costume Designer SIENA VON KNOPKA
Colorist JACK TASHDJIAN
ALEXANDRA MAKARENKO
Additional Visual Effects Artist SZILÁRD EGYED
ROLAND TORDA
CSABA HUBER
GERGELY TIMÁR
Key Production Assistant CODY MICHAELS
Production Assistants DAMON RIOS
ROMA BICKERTON
KAMRON BAITY
ZACH CHACON
ASHLI VANIER
DEREK RENTNER
AUDREY DEHLER
Film Lab and Printing Consultant MATTHIAS ST JOHN
CTA Consultant BILL REILLY
Set Security ERIC JOHNSON
JOE NEWCOMB
JUDY ELAM
BTS Photography LAWRENCE HU
Legal Services: REEYA THAKRAR
AREEB S SYED
FAEGRE DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH LLP
Legal Referral: LAWYERS FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS
Photographers’ works utilized
MARK BERKOOVICH
PAUL D’AMATO
MATTHEW BRDLIK
MATTHIAS ST JOHN
TOM CISZEWSKI
LUIS CHAVEZ