When Obsession is Your Darkest Secret…

    2023 / 1 HR 56 MIN / ROMANTIC THRILLER 

“DEMISE delivers a kick that will knock the popcorn out of your bag.” - Infrared Magazine

“DEMISE delivers a kick that will knock the popcorn out of your bag.” - Infrared Magazine

"The production has the unadorned simplicity of a hypodermic needle and is just as effective." -FilmThreat

"The production has the unadorned simplicity of a hypodermic needle and is just as effective." -FilmThreat

“The three lead actors deliver brilliant performances” -GHMovieFreak

“The three lead actors deliver brilliant performances” -GHMovieFreak

Demise Trailer

Logline

One lie destroys the lives of many, while one's obsession leads to the fateful demise of a rising star in the fashion world. 

Synopsis

Set in present day, Latino landscaper, Caleb Castillo, leads a double life. He is entangled in a steamy affair with rising fashion star, Fiona Hernandez, while simultaneously devoted to his beautiful wife, Celine. Celine wants a child with Caleb more than anything in the world. As FIona's patience wears thin with Caleb's promises to leave his wife, Celine discovers Caleb's infidelity; they break up. Caleb and Fiona begin to forge a new life together but Celine becomes obsessed with reclaiming what she believes is rightfully hers, including Caleb's newborn son, Brody. It appears that she may just succeed. But just when Celine thinks she has achieved victory, the film takes yet another twist and turn on this roller coaster ride of a modern day noir, set in LA. 

The Cast

  • Carlo Mendez

    Carlo Mendez

    Caleb

    Carlo Mendez was born in Los Angeles, and raised in Miami to Cuban parents. He is the brother of actress Eva Mendez. Carlo is a highly trained actor. He studied under the notable acting coach, Ivanna Chubbock. He worked opposite Rob Schneider in the Netflix Series “Real Rob;” and he is currently a series regular on the Emmy Nominated Show “The Bay.” Most recently, Carlo played - detective Stanley Montana with the late actor Tom Sizemore in the Amazon film “The Legend of Jack and Diane.” It's the most exciting year for Carlo as he landed the leading role in the movie “Demise,” a cuttingedge modern-day film noir, which has yet to be released on a streaming platform. Carlo has many other projects in the works and is rapidly gaining recognition in Hollywood.

  • Crystal Hernandez

    Crystal Hernandez

    Fiona

    Crystal Hernandez is a classically-trained actor, singer, dancer, and stuntwoman from Phoenix, AZ. She has had the privilege of tackling roles that present unique artistic challenges and aspires to bring depth and authenticity to every performance. She has demonstrated ample range in her work from the resilient mother on a quest to save her son as Marta in DUSTWUN (2020), a grieving daughter in search of answers as Leticia in The Blue Drum (2022), to fashion powerhouses and twin sisters Fiona and Fabiola in the Romantic Thriller Demise (2023).

  • Liz Fenning

    Liz Fenning

    Celine

    Liz is a rising star who is on her way to being a recognizable leading lady. She has appeared in HULU's America, I Love You, the soon to be released feature film Rumble Through the Dark with Aaron Eckhart and Belle Thorne as “Curvy Luck,” Netflix's To the Beat: Back 2 School!, the Marigold Series, The Dresden Files, LA Film Festival Winner Artists in Agony: Hitmen at the Coda Teahouse, Trifecta Pictures Entertainment’s All of You Will Die, TruTV's Laff Mobb's Laff Tracks, , Lifetime’s My Terrorized Teen, Funny or Die's The Seth and Avi Show, LIONSGATE'S The Ghostmaker, Lifetime's Sinister Minister. Liz also finds the time to serve as Program Supervisor for the non-profit Actors for Autism.

  • Morris Jude Martinez

    Morris Jude Martinez

    Morris is a classically trained actor originally from Port Isabel, TX. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Texas at Austin, and has an extensive background in musical theatre performance. He has appeared in the Lifetime Original Movie Swim Instructor Nightmare (2022) as “Jerry,” Prisma Films’ Nobody Wants To Be Just Ordinary (2023) as “Tom” which is set to be released later this summer, and Demise (2023) as the bubbly and outspoken “Miguel.” He has studied at the Howard Fine Acting Studio, produced and performed original voice over work, and is an avid film buff who frequently attends repertory film screenings in Los Angeles.

  • Richard Rivera

    Richard Rivera

    Richard Rivera is originally from Washington, D.C. Classically trained, Richard appeared mostly on stage until the pandemic. When all the theatres closed, he turned to film and hasn’t looked back! Richard has appeared in several feature films, including “As Real as You Make It”, “Shifter” and “Night of the Witch.” He can also be seen in the television mini-series, “King of Los Angeles” and the new web series, “Never Divorce a Secret Billionaire Heiress.” Richard gives an outstanding yet chilling performance as Doctor Smith in "Demise." His on screen presence and chemistry with Liz Fening is captivating. Stay tuned to see what this star on the rise is up to next.

  • Lucy Serrano

    Lucy Serrano

    Lucy Serrano is a triple threat. This Latin American filmmaker is an actor, director and producer. She is known for directing and producing “The Last Psychic” ( El Ultimo Psíquico), a Spanish feature film. She won an award for her short film “Shadows” at the Premios Latinos film festival in Mar Bella, Spain. You can find Lucy in some of her most recent roles in "Wrong For Right", "American’t", "Unload", "Marisol", "Think Before", and "Murder Loves Company." Lucy's performance as Elena in "Demise" is heartfelt, warm, and genuine. She lights up the screen, and is so fun to watch!

Born and raised in East San Jose, California, Yara Estrada Lowe is a young Latina filmmaker. From an extremely early age, she had the passion to work in the entertainment industry, both in front of and behind the camera. She starred in a play when she was four. When she was growing up, she and her friends would re-enact and record commercials and television shows, at her direction. 

After graduating high school, she attended San Jose City College, majoring in Theater Arts. But then in 2008, she decided to go for her dreams. She moved to Los Angeles and started working consistently as an extra/featured extra. She joined SAG in 2010. 

Then she started working multiple jobs on film sets behind the scenes including script supervisor, first assistant director, and director of over 100 episodes of an internet soap opera. She also studied her craft at PlayHouse West and other acting studios and was mentored by Robert Carnegie and Jeff Goldblum. 

Yara wrote a feature-length erotic noir thriller entitled “Demise.” With all odds against her, she pulled herself up by her bootstraps to produce and direct the film. After wrapping up post-production she got a distribution deal with Gravitas Ventures, and the movie is now available on Digital and On Demand platforms. The film will soon be released internationally through sales agent Cardinal XD. Yara Estrada Lowe is being recognized as the "new voice" in Hollywood.

Yara Estrada

Yara Estrada

Writer, Director, Producer

BREAKING BARRIERS

Latinos in Film and the Invisible Women Directors

"Demise" not only captivates audiences with its suspenseful narrative and compelling characters, but it also serves as a rallying cry for the representation of Latinos in film and the long-overdue recognition of women directors of Latino descent. In an industry where diversity and inclusion remain crucial challenges, this gripping thriller, meticulously crafted by the talented Latina filmmaker Yara Estrada Lowe, breaks barriers and challenges preconceived notions. 

Latinos have contributed immensely to the art of storytelling, yet their presence on the big screen has often been limited. Through "Demise," the audience is immersed in a world where the multifaceted experiences of Latinos take center stage, shedding light on their struggles, aspirations, and complexities. This film is a testament to the power of authentic representation and the urgent need to amplify diverse voices. 

The invisibility of women directors of Latino descent is a troubling reality that demands immediate attention. Yara Estrada Lowe fearlessly steps into the director's chair, defying the status quo and showcasing her immense talent and vision. Her storytelling prowess, combined with her unique perspective and cultural background, breathes life into the characters and narrative of "Demise," challenging conventional norms and redefining the boundaries of storytelling. 

Written and Directed By

Yara Estrada Lowe

Starring

Carlo Mendez
Liz Fenning
Crystal Hernandez

Co-Starring

Morris Jude Martinez 
Richard Rivera 
Lucy Serrano 
Lamar Alexander 
Caitlin Rose Williams 

Executive Producers

Steven Lowe 
Jon Eichelberger 
Erman Baradi 
Jeff Olan

Produced By

Yara Estrada Lowe 
Anabelle Munro
Mycole Metcalf 

Director of Photography

Justin Aguirre

Edited By

Lawrence Jordan, ACE

Music By

Jeff Clayton

Represented By

Ramo Law