YOU, ME, & EVIL
Brent Lambert-Zaffino
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LOGLINE
Horror, Dramedy Feature
You, Me, & Evil is a horror-dramedy about a closeted, bi nerd, who takes his boyfriend on vacation. But his ex-girlfriend crashes. Also, the place’s run by a cult. It’s Please Like Me meets Midsommar.
SYNOPSIS
After PATRICK and ALEXIS’s failed engagement, she won’t return the ring, until he attends a spiritual retreat. But Patrick’s new boyfriend, SAM, sneaks along. The place’s run by HELEN, and her ceremony seems odd – with candles, deer skulls, and talk of sacrifice.
But Patrick’s too preoccupied keeping Alexis and Sam separated. When they finally meet, Patrick’s outed as bisexual, but there’s no time for drama. Helen plans on sacrificing them to her ancient goddess, so the three must work together for survival.
ARTISTIC STATEMENT
You, Me, & Evil is a horror-dramedy rooted in character, Southern culture, and the universal fear of being trapped by a cult. At its heart, the film’s an echo of screenwriter Steve Holbert’s bisexual dating experience. By centering queer folk in folk horror, this story of identity crisis reaches self-acceptance through romantic vacations, romantic implosions, and ritual sacrifice.
We will approach the film as a screwball horror-comedy. It thrives on the push-pull of young adults trying – and failing spectacularly – to fix broken relationships. The script blends classic, comedic volleying with modern, horror structure. The result’s a kinetic energy that keeps audiences feeling off-kilter but in good hands.
Southernness is central to the film’s identity. The characters are working-class Appalachian Americans. Actors will use accents without lowering their IQs. You, Me, & Evil proves stories can be both country as hell and smart as hell. Instead of Southern stereotypes, the characters just happen to be Southern.
You, Me, & Evil is an intimate, resource-conscious film with large production energy. By combining a tight, micro-budget strategy with a bold, character-driven creative vision, the project will be a memorable entry into the folk horror canon. With its tonal blend, Southern identity, and a team rooted in Georgia film, it promises a fresh voice, while remaining deeply accessible.
PITCH DECK
Brent Lambert-Zaffino. Director
Brent Lambert-Zaffino is a filmmaker in Atlanta and is Executive Director of the Peaberry Film Festival in Canton, GA. He is known for his Southern Gothic feature film Lost Cause, his award-winning prison cooking documentary “Cooking Inside,” that one viral video about Atlanta, and for directing vertical feature films occasionally. He loves basketball and looking for snakes.
Steve Holbert. Writer
Steve Holbert comes from a long line of carnies and sex workers. He grew up in the trailer parks of Georgia’s poorest town, so he ran away. Steve returned, when his dad became terminally ill. He was his caregiver, until his father passed. Then, the state dropped two kids on his porch, and Steve became a foster parent to his cousins. Now, he’s a thirty-something grandpa. Growing up, the media portrayed Appalachian Americans as victims, so Steve wants the next generation seeing themselves as heroes. He writes hour TV and features that mix poor teens, genre, and the South. Steve’s had meetings with Berlanti Productions, Paramount, TinkerToy Productions, and more. When not writing, he’s an ex-drag queen and ghost hunter. MFA in Dramatic Writing, NYU, Tisch.
Kendrick Varela. Director of Photography
Kendrick Varela is an Atlanta-based cinematographer and director recognized for his strong visual storytelling and refined command of lighting and color. His work includes serving as Camera Operator on the NHL documentary Faceoff (Season 2) and Director of Photography on projects such as the feature film Lost Cause and the documentary Manchester United. A Southeast Emmy nominee and recipient of both Silver and Gold Telly Awards, Kendrick brings technical expertise in DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, and color grading, along with bilingual English–Spanish fluency and extensive experience across narrative and documentary filmmaking.
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