Ever felt the pressure of landing your next assignment? The new thriller ‘Freelance’ from Gravitas Ventures takes those anxieties to a whole new level.
Dangers of freelancing now inspiring film plots
The film follows Katie, a struggling video editor. Desperate for money and on the verge of eviction, Katie jumps at the chance to take on a new lucrative job. Her gut tells her it’s a scam, but she is at that stage of desperation that she goes against her best judgment and accepts the task. It involves watching videos of people being tortured and killed – surely just elaborate fakes. But as the work continues, the graphic snuff videos become more disturbingly realistic, and the pay cheques get bigger.
Despite bringing in money, Katie’s life starts to unravel.
She sees shadowy figures in her flat, suffers from terrifying nightmares, and her cat develops a mysterious illness. She battles between what she thinks is real and what could be paranoia. When Katie finally decides to quit, she discovers just how ruthless her anonymous employer truly is, and the horrifying lengths she’ll have to go to in order to escape her contract.
‘Freelance’ serves as a cautionary tale about the risks inherent in the freelance economy, notably recruitment scams. Albeit, in this film’s plot, the scam is on another level. It’s downright sinister.
Fictitious plot aside, the Aussie film highlights the vulnerability of freelancers who often work independently, without the safety net of traditional employment. Katie’s situation illustrates the dangers of accepting jobs from unknown sources and the potential for exploitation.
The film also explores the psychological toll of freelancing, where the constant uncertainty and pressure can take a heavy toll on an individual’s mental and emotional well-being. Katie’s descent into paranoia and despair is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by freelancers who often navigate the precarious landscape of the gig economy alone.
Beyond its exploration of the freelance world, ‘Freelance’ is set to be a thrilling and suspenseful film. Director John Balazs and writer Mike Gerbino build tension and keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
The film was inspired by Gerbino, an award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker based in New York City. He is known for the feature horror films Freelance (2024) and The Spotter (2025), as well as the comedic digital series Dark Justice (2016 – 2019) and the short film Freelance (2022), the latter of which was the basis of the now 2024 film.
Australian actress Nicole Pastor stars in the 2024 version and is joined by cast members Jordan Fraser-Trumble, Stephen Degenaro, Jasper Bagg, and Hannah Brook.
Exploitation in freelancing: it happens
Overall, “Freelance” is expected to be a compelling film worthy of a post-film natter with fellow freelancers. The film’s exploration of the challenges and dangers faced by freelancers makes it a relevant and timely commentary on the modern workforce and a reminder to keep your wits about you.
Freelance will be launched to digital and cable VOD on 28 January 28, 2025.
