Crime Novella is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing new entries in the indie film space, combining romance, danger and a retro-cinematic visual style. The newly announced Crime Novella cast brings together rising stars and seasoned screen talent for Omar de Soto’s feature directorial debut, a 35mm-shot crime thriller with serious auteur ambitions.
The film stars Percy Hynes White, Jeff Wahlberg, Zlatko Burić, Bobby Soto and Ava del Cielo. With production already wrapped across Albuquerque, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Mexico, Crime Novella arrives with the kind of pedigree that should catch the attention of fans of edgy character-driven cinema and prestige TV-to-film crossovers.
Crime Novella cast: who’s starring in the new romance crime thriller?
The headline pairing in Crime Novella is Percy Hynes White and Jeff Wahlberg, who lead the story as two lovers on the run. According to the official synopsis, the movie follows a couple fighting to save their relationship while discovering just how far they are willing to go to stay together.
That emotionally charged setup gives the project a compelling foundation, but it is the supporting cast that adds further weight:
- Percy Hynes White — known for Wednesday and My Old Ass
- Jeff Wahlberg — recently seen in Euphoria season 3
- Zlatko Burić — acclaimed for Triangle of Sadness
- Bobby Soto — recognized for The Tax Collector
- Ava del Cielo — known for House of Cards, Get Shorty and From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series
This mix of streaming-era recognizability and arthouse credibility gives Crime Novella broad appeal across film and TV audiences.
What is Crime Novella about?
At its core, Crime Novella is a romance crime-thriller, but the pitch suggests something more stylized than a straightforward chase movie. Producers have described it as a modern descendant of Badlands and Wild at Heart, signaling a film that may lean into outlaw passion, volatile emotions and visually heightened storytelling.
The premise centers on intimacy under pressure: two people running not just from external threats, but also toward a test of what love can survive. That positions Crime Novella within a tradition of lovers-on-the-lam cinema, where the emotional stakes matter just as much as the criminal ones.
A 35mm look with a transgressive edge
One detail likely to excite cinephiles is that the movie was shot on 35mm film. In an era dominated by digital capture, that choice often signals a commitment to texture, mood and classic film language. Combined with the comparison to cult road-crime dramas, Crime Novella may be aiming for a tactile, atmospheric experience rather than a slick mainstream thriller.
The filmmakers have also emphasized a “transgressive spirit,” hinting that the tone could be provocative, unconventional and emotionally raw.
Omar de Soto’s feature debut has notable backing
Crime Novella marks the feature directorial debut of Omar de Soto, who also wrote and produced the film. Taking on all three roles suggests a highly personal creative vision, especially for a story with such a specific tonal identity.
The production team behind the film includes:
- Paul Bennett IV of Replica
- Marco Shepherd of Centropolis Entertainment
- Roland Emmerich as executive producer
- Jessica Olthof and Helena Martel Seward as co-producers
Centropolis Entertainment financed the feature, which gives Crime Novella a solid industry foundation despite its indie sensibility. Emmerich’s involvement is particularly notable, adding a high-profile name to a project that otherwise seems focused on mood, performance and character.
Why the cast announcement matters for TV and video fans
For readers in the TV & Video space, Crime Novella stands out because several cast members arrive with established streaming and prestige-series followings. Percy Hynes White remains widely associated with Netflix’s Wednesday, while Jeff Wahlberg’s recent work in HBO’s Euphoria gives the movie strong crossover appeal among younger audiences.
This matters in today’s entertainment ecosystem, where actor recognition often travels fluidly between television, streaming and film. A project like Crime Novella benefits from that overlap, especially when it blends genre storytelling with a more artful presentation.
Key reasons the film is already generating interest
- Recognizable leads from major TV and streaming titles
- 35mm cinematography that sets it apart visually
- A crime-romance premise with cult-film comparisons
- International locations and a road-movie feel
- Roland Emmerich’s involvement as executive producer
Production details and locations
Production on Crime Novella wrapped over the summer, with filming taking place on location in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Mexico. That geographic spread suggests a film with movement, changing backdrops and a sense of escalating momentum.
Location shooting often adds scale and authenticity to stories built around pursuit and escape. For a lovers-on-the-run thriller like Crime Novella, those environments could become essential to the movie’s emotional and visual identity.
What to expect next from Crime Novella
There is not yet a release date attached to Crime Novella, but the cast reveal and first-look rollout suggest the team is beginning to position the film for the next stage, whether that means festival attention, sales activity or a wider marketing push.
If the final film delivers on the promise of its concept, Crime Novella could appeal to viewers looking for something between a romantic tragedy, a neo-noir road movie and a modern indie thriller. It has the ingredients to become a breakout title, especially if early reactions highlight chemistry between Hynes White and Wahlberg.
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Conclusion
Crime Novella has all the makings of a stylish breakout: a compelling lead duo, a strong supporting ensemble, a moody 35mm aesthetic and a premise rooted in love, danger and obsession. For audiences tracking rising screen talent and prestige-leaning thrillers, Crime Novella is now firmly one to watch.
The big takeaway is simple: with Percy Hynes White and Jeff Wahlberg at the center, Crime Novella is positioned as a visually rich crime romance that could make serious noise when release plans are announced.
