Ryan Reynolds' 'Deadpool' Collaborator Brings Gritty Realism to 'Twisted' Thriller

The new indie film 'Twisted' blends heist movie thrills with a dark psychological edge.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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The new indie thriller film 'Twisted' follows two millennials who flip New York apartments for profit, but the movie gradually shifts from a slick heist story to a darker, more psychologically brutal tale. The film's gritty visual style and intense violence were created by the same special effects artist who worked on the 'Deadpool' movies.

Why it matters

As streaming platforms continue to drive demand for edgy, character-driven thrillers, 'Twisted' represents an indie filmmaker's attempt to bring a fresh, unsettling perspective to a familiar genre. The film's blend of genre elements and its focus on morally ambiguous protagonists reflect broader trends in contemporary cinema.

The details

Twisted was directed by Lauren LaVera and features visual effects by Dan Lashbrook, who previously worked on the Deadpool films. The movie follows two young New Yorkers, Nate and Olivia, who make a living flipping apartments for profit, until a job goes wrong and they find themselves in over their heads. The film's gritty, hyper-realistic visual style and intense, bloody violence were achieved through Lashbrook's special effects work.

  • Twisted premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2026.
  • The film is scheduled for a wider theatrical release in June 2026.

The players

Lauren LaVera

The director of Twisted, an up-and-coming indie filmmaker known for her gritty, character-driven approach to genre storytelling.

Dan Lashbrook

The special effects artist who previously worked on the Deadpool films and brought a similar level of visceral realism to the violence and gore in Twisted.

Nate

One of the two young protagonists in Twisted, who makes a living flipping apartments in New York City.

Olivia

The other young protagonist in Twisted, who partners with Nate in their apartment flipping business.

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What they’re saying

“We wanted to create a sense of real, lived-in violence that feels unsettling and authentic, not just stylized bloodshed.”

— Dan Lashbrook, Special Effects Artist (Collider)

“Twisted is a character study wrapped in a genre thriller, exploring the moral gray areas that people can find themselves in when trying to get ahead in a tough economy.”

— Lauren LaVera, Director (Collider)

What’s next

Twisted is scheduled to have its wider theatrical release in June 2026 after premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year.

The takeaway

Twisted represents a new wave of indie thrillers that blend genre elements with complex character studies, reflecting broader trends in contemporary cinema toward grittier, more psychologically nuanced storytelling.