As this year’sSouth By Southwestfilm and television festival gets underway in Austin, Collider can exclusively share a poster for one of the many titles that will make its world premiere at the event -We Strangers. The narrative film marks the feature directorial debut ofAnu Valiaand starsKirby Howell-Baptisteas a professional, yet playful commercial cleaner in Gary, Indiana who finds herself in a strange position after telling one little lie. In the minimalist poster designed by celebrated poster designerMidnight Marauder, Howell-Baptiste’s face is shown in an almost meditative state many times over against a blue backdrop, adding to the mystery of the film.
We Strangersfollows Rayelle Martin (Howell-Baptiste) who manages to land herself a job cleaning the homes of wealthy suburban families after being approached by Dr. Neeraj Patel (Hari Dhillon). More than willing to earn some extra money as the therapist’s housekeeper, she adapts to her new surroundings until he offers her another deal she cannot refuse - to clean the home of his mistress. As she peers into the life of the doctor, she grows tired of being a witness and tells a small fib on a whim, that she can speak to the dead, to take a little more agency. Ray soon finds herself struggling to own her identityas that lie spins wildly out of control to the point where she ends up in a surprising position of power.
Although this will be her first feature, Valia has plenty of experience under her belt as a director on television. Her fingerprints could most recently be seen in episodes ofThe AfterpartySeason 2,She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,Based on a True Story, andThe Big Door Prize, on the latter of which she also served as an executive producer for an episode. Her writing credits, meanwhile, include a few shorts, with one featured in the collection of six films,Brooklyn Love Stories. She gets a strong star to work with in Howell-Baptiste, who boasts roles inThe Sandman,Killing Eve,Barry, andThe Good Place, as well asthe 2022 adaptation ofMr. Harrigan’s Phone.
When Will ‘We Strangers’ Debut at SXSW?
We Strangerswill premiere at SXSW tomorrow, March 9 where it will join an impressive lineup of titles. On the features end,Ryan Gosling’s new action filmThe Fall Guyfrom directorDavid Leitchwill be the centerpiece of the event, with other highly-anticipated films likeDev Patel’sMonkey Man,Sydney Sweeney’sImmaculate, andtheCamila Mendes-ledMúsicaalso set to make their debuts. Some of the biggest upcoming television shows will also premiere, including3 Body ProblemfromGame of ThronesduoDavid BenioffandD. B. WeissalongsideAlexander Woo, as well as the fifth season ofStar Trek: Discovery. Other shows, likethe hotly-anticipated video game adaptationFallout, will get activations for attendees to interact with ahead of their premieres.
Visitthe official SXSW websitefor more information on how to get into the screenings ofWe Strangersif you’re attending the festival. Stay tuned here at Collider for more coverage asthe event runs from today, March 8, through next Saturday, March 16. Check out the exclusive poster above.
