LOGLINE
An introverted office worker falls for a creature of the night who feeds on human organs, forcing her to choose between the safety of her old life and a dangerous new existence with her lover.
SYNOPSIS
Timid data analyst Marigold Williams leads a quiet, uneventful life—until she encounters the alluring and mysterious Avery, a woman whose confidence and brutal honesty instantly captivate her. As their relationship deepens, Marigold uncovers Avery's shocking secret: she is a banshee who survives by feeding on human organs.
Fascinated by the danger surrounding Avery and envious of her fearless nature, Marigold volunteers to assist in her deadly hunt, awakening her own inner darkness. When a coworker sabotages her chances for a promotion, desperation and a thirst for vengeance drive Marigold to plead with Avery for the bite that will transform her. After Avery reluctantly agrees, Marigold must now choose between the safety of her old life and a perilous new existence as a banshee.
THE WORLD
THE DUALITY OF LOS ANGELES
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Los Angeles, this story unfolds in a city that mirrors the duality of light and darkness, much like the central relationship. During the day, sun-soaked streets and bustling neighborhoods pulse with life and color, casting an optimistic glow over Marigold and Avery's blossoming romance. But beneath this sunny facade lies an undercurrent of danger, where secrets and hidden desires simmer just out of sight.
L.A. NIGHTLIFE NEO-NOIR
As night falls, Los Angeles transforms into a neo-noir landscape—an underground realm of neon lights, abandoned spaces, and the city's forgotten souls. It’s a world where Avery thrives, navigating a distinct set of rules where the line between predator and prey is clearly drawn.
L.A. AS A CHARACTER
This contrast between darkness and light echoes the internal struggles of these two young women. The sunny daytime scenes create a deceptive sense of normalcy. As darkness envelops the city, Avery's hidden nature and Marigold's untapped predatory instincts emerge. Los Angeles thus becomes a character in its own right, reflecting the complexities of their relationship as it shifts between hope and toxicity.
THE THEMES
When love blurs the lines between desire and darkness, what do we sacrifice in our quest for self-empowerment?
POWER & CONTROL
Marigold examines how power shifts between the two characters, both in their relationship and through the supernatural elements of one being a creature of the night.
IDENTITY & DISCOVERY
Marigold explores themes of self-discovery and the complexities of identity, particularly how being a creature affects Avery's sense of self and her relationship with Marigold.
FRIENDSHIP VS.
MANIPULATION
Marigold delves into the thin line between friendship and manipulation, questioning whether Marigold and Avery’s bond is genuine or driven by ulterior motives.
FEAR OF THE
UNKNOWN
In Marigold, fear of the unknown influences the relationship between Marigold and Avery. Avery’s nature as a creature symbolizes deeper fears that she and Marigold have about intimacy and vulnerability.
GOOD VS. EVIL
Marigold challenges traditional notions of good and evil, showcasing that the creature has her own moral code and reasons for her actions, prompting discussions about empathy and understanding.
DESIRE & SEDUCTION
Marigold explores themes of attraction, desire, and seduction, particularly in how the Avery uses her allure and power to manipulate or draw Marigold closer.
SELF-SACRIFICE
& LOYALTY
Marigold puts particular focus on the lengths Marigold and Avery go to for each other. A theme of sacrifice in relationships and its implications that is seen throughout the film.
SURVIVAL
& ADAPTATION
Marigold explores how both Marigold and Avery must adapt to their evolving circumstances, each learning to navigate the dangers posed by their dynamics and the supernatural elements at play.
MARIGOLD
THE PROTAGONIST
At 26, Marigold Williams leads a lonely life. Shy and introverted, she struggles to assert herself, despite being the smartest person in the room. As a data analyst, Marigold finds solace in the structured world of numbers, offering an escape from the chaos of human interactions. While her reliance on routine provides security, it also traps her in a repetitive existence that feels increasingly stifling.
To cope, Marigold engages in OCD rituals, such as meticulously organizing her workspace, locking her apartment door repeatedly, and obsessively checking off lists. These compulsions create a fragile structure in her life, reflecting her struggle to maintain control in a world that feels overwhelming. Her challenges are intensified by her coworker Melanie Pierce, whose snarky comments only deepen Marigold's insecurities.
Marigold’s relationship with her emotionally distant mother, Nora, is equally strained. However, everything changes when Marigold meets Avery. Initially drawn to Avery’s enigmatic allure, Marigold soon finds herself enthralled by the danger inherent in Avery’s means of survival. As Marigold sets out to help Avery, she begins to uncover her own inner darkness and gain the confidence she has longed for. Caught between the safety of her old life and the thrill of a new existence, Marigold now stands at the crossroads of self-discovery and self-destruction.
AVERY
THE BANSHEE
At Avery Miller is a banshee, a predatory being who must feed on human organs and blood to survive. Whether she is an aberration, a mutation, or the next stage in human evolution remains a mystery to her, but she does whatever is necessary to stay alive. Though she appears to be in her mid-twenties, Avery is closer to fifty, aging at a slower rate than most.
For the past three years, Avery has lived in Los Angeles, working from home to maintain a low profile. She goes by the alias "Miller," frequently changing her last name with each new location, yet her first name remains unchanged—a treasured part of her identity. Accustomed to a life of isolation to avoid drawing attention, Avery often grapples with a profound sense of loneliness and longing that she tries to suppress.
Everything shifts when she meets Marigold. Captivated by Marigold's sweet and reserved nature, Avery recognizes a kindred spirit who shares her own feelings of solitude. As their bond develops into a passionate love affair, Avery experiences the thrill of intimacy for the first time. However, as their relationship deepens, the dynamics begin to change—what starts as an exhilarating whirlwind romance soon descends into chaos, with Marigold’s desire to help Avery evolving into fierce independence and a newfound confidence that threatens Avery’s very existence.
CASTING
OR SCROLL TO: 1) THE WORLD // 2) THE THEMES // 3) THE CHARACTERS
MARIGOLD
AMANDLA STENBERG
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Amandla Stenberg is a Danish-American actress, activist, and musician. They started their career as a child actor, gaining recognition for their role as Rue in The Hunger Games. They've also appeared in The Hate U Give, Everything, Everything, the Netflix series The Eddy, and the supernatural series Sleepy Hollow.
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Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
Star Wars: The Acolyte (2024)
AISHA DEE
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Aisha Dee is an Australian actress and singer. She is known for her main roles as Desi Biggins on the children's television series The Saddle Club (2008–09) and Kat Edison on the Freeform comedy-drama television series The Bold Type (2017–21)
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Channel Zero: No-End House (2017)
Sissy (2022)
Collide (2022)
SOPHIE WILDE
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Sophie Wilde is an Australian actress. She gained early attention for her roles in the Stan series Eden and the BBC One drama You Don't Know Me. Her performance in the horror film Talk to Me brought her further recognition, winning the AACTA Award for Best Actress.
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Talk to Me (2022)
Tom Jones (2023)
Babygirl (2024)
TAYLOR RUSSELL
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Taylor Russell McKenzie is a Canadian actress and filmmaker who first gained recognition for her role in the Netflix series Lost in Space. She has since starred in several indie films, including the 2019 drama Waves, for which she received an Indie Spirit Award nomination for supporting actress.
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Lost In Space (2017-2021)
Escape Room (2019)
Bones and All (2022)
CASTING
AVERY
NELL TIGER FREE
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Nell Tiger Free is an English actress and singer. She began her career as a child actress in the films Mr Stink and Broken (both 2012). She also played Myrcella Baratheon in seasons 5 and 6 of the HBO series Game of Thrones (2015–2016).
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Too Old to Die Young (2019)
Servant (2019–2023)
The First Omen (2024)
JESSICA ALEXANDER
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Jessica Caroline Alexander is an English actress. She began her career in short films and garnered recognition for her role in the BBC iPlayer series Get Even, and made her feature film debut in Glasshouse and A Banquet.
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Get Even (2020)
The Little Mermaid (2023)
Fallen (2024)
ROSE SALAZAR
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Rosa Salazar is an American actress known for her roles in the NBC series Parenthood, the FX series American Horror Story: Murder House, and the sci-fi film Alita: Battle Angel.
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Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018)
Alita: Battle Angel (2019)
Captain America: Brave New World (2025)
PHOEBE DYNEVOR
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Phoebe Harriet Dynevor is an English actress who starred in the first two seasons of the period drama Bridgerton. She's also known for her roles in the films The Colour Room, Fair Play, and Inheritance.
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Bridgerton (2020-2022)
Fair Play (2023)
Inheritance (2025)