Beneath Us All

The film opens with a prologue set in Scandinavia in 912 AD, where a man named Frey is ritually buried alive in a coffin following his capture.^[3] In the present day, teenage foster child Julie lives in a neglectful and abusive foster home operated by Janelle and Todd Gibbs, along with several other foster children. While exploring the woods near the property, Julie discovers a buried coffin containing a weakened, ancient being named Frey, accompanied by a Yggdrasil pendant. Believing him to be a human victim in need of aid, she conceals him in an abandoned barn and attempts to nurse him back to health.

Frey, a long-starved supernatural entity with vampiric characteristics, gradually regains his strength by feeding on humans, resulting in a series of violent attacks and disappearances. As Julie begins to experience disturbing nightmares and increasing influence from the entity, a social worker and local law enforcement become involved in investigating the household and the related incidents of violence. The narrative combines supernatural horror elements with depictions of neglect and dysfunction within the foster care system.^[4][5]

• Sean Whalen as Todd Gibbs
• Maria Olsen as Janelle Gibbs
• Angelina Danielle Cama as Julie
• Kaiti Wallen as Rebecca
• Harley Wallen as Detective Donovan Booker
• Michael James Alexander as Manny
• Yan Birch as Frey
• Shelby Bradley as Mikaela Campbell
• Malachi Myles as Stephen
• Hanna Wallen as Sarah
• Emilia Wallen as Erica

The film was directed by Harley Wallen. It was produced by Harley Wallen and Kaiti Wallen for Painted Creek Productions, in association with Westside Warrior Films and Cama Productions.^[6] Sean Whalen was cast in the lead role as Todd Gibbs.^[2]

The film was released theatrically in limited release and on digital platforms on September 19, 2023, by Deskpop Entertainment.^[7][8] It is available for streaming and rental on services such as Amazon and Apple TV.^[9][10]