Brief Candle

As a group of high school students prepare for their fall production of Macbeth, the pressure and drive for fame leads a few of them to spiral out of control and become consumed by the treacherous Shakespearean characters they portray.

Directed by Stephen Beehler, Brief Candle leans on a strong ensemble — Katerina Eichenberger, John Paul Kakos, Brandon Akira — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about thriller titles of 2023.