“Heated Rivalry” Star Hudson Williams Joins Dylan O’Brien In New Indie Thriller “Apparatus”
Hudson Williams and Dylan O’Brien have signed on to star in Apparatus, a darkly comedic thriller from Canadian filmmaker Sofia Banzhaf. The independent feature marks Banzhaf’s directorial debut, and filming kicked off in Toronto on 30 March 2026, running through 12 May.
The casting announcement sent social media into overdrive, with fans of both actors losing it over the pairing, which, honestly, makes sense.
What we know about the plot
The film follows Tyler, a struggling young rideshare driver played by Williams, who falls under the influence of JP, a self-styled entrepreneur played by O’Brien. JP offers Tyler a future in his handheld-massager business, but the supposed opportunity unravels as JP pulls Tyler into a violent downward spiral.
Banzhaf co-wrote the screenplay with Grayson Moore, whose previous credits include the thriller Cardinals. Producers include Julie Baldassi of Younger Daughter Films, Daniel Bekerman of Scythia Films, Banzhaf, Moore, and Brian Robertson. WME Independent and CAA Media Finance are co-repping the film for sales.
Why Williams is the one to watch
Williams became a household name through Heated Rivalry, the Crave, and HBO queer hockey romance that turned into a global phenomenon. His portrayal of Shane Hollander earned him a nomination for Best Lead Performer in a Drama Series at the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards, part of the show’s 18 nominations overall.
Apparatus marks a sharp tonal shift for the 25-year-old Canadian actor. He’s also lined up for Yaga, a Crave series opposite Carrie-Anne Moss, and Netflix’s FTX drama The Altruists. Heated Rivalry season two is heading into production, with Williams set to return.
O’Brien brings momentum
O’Brien arrives on a strong run. His survival horror film Send Help, directed by Sam Raimi and co-starring Rachel McAdams, grossed $94 million worldwide against a $40 million budget and holds a 93% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. Before that, his dual roles in the dark comedy Twinless earned him a Sundance Jury Award and a Spirit Award nomination.
Up next for O’Brien is Being Heumann, an Apple film about disability activist Judy Heumann, alongside Ruth Madeley and Mark Ruffalo.
When can we expect it?
With filming scheduled through mid-May, the project is likely targeting the festival circuit following post-production. No release date has been confirmed yet, but given the talent involved and the indie pedigree behind it, Apparatus already has plenty of buzz.
