Sundance standout Nicole Berry makes her directorial debut with psychological horror film Every Cell. The actor known for her performance as the steely Sergeant Davis in First Date (Magnet Releasing) aims to thrill audiences with a story that spotlights mental health, neurodiversity, and the female experience. The film aims to show that independent filmmakers can tackle society’s most pressing issues while delivering the thrills audiences crave.

Every Cell represents a groundbreaking fusion of psychological horror and mental health advocacy, featuring one woman as she struggles to survive an inescapable predator without becoming a monster herself. Every Cell is “a haunting tribute to the madness of existence when you can’t wake up from the nightmare of your mind,” says lead actor Leah Finity. It’s a piece that doesn’t just depict mental health—it reflects it, honors it, and gives it space to be seen.

This isn’t just another horror film—it’s a revolutionary approach to storytelling that plays with the controlled fear response of horror cinema as a therapeutic tool for audiences struggling with mental health challenges, neurodiversity, and the isolation of the female experience. Shooting in rural Northern California, the film is also creating an exemplary, sustainable method of filmmaking, engaging practices outlined by the Sustainable Entertainment Alliance and employing a diverse crew of “neurospicy,” underrepresented, and LGBTQ+ artists.

At the heart of Every Cell is a team of storytellers whose work is rooted in vulnerability, vision, and emotional truth. Writer and director Nicole Berry leads the project with a fiercely personal perspective, using surreal psychological horror to explore the often-silent struggles of trauma and mental illness. Her female-centered narratives give voice to those whose realities are fraying—an artistic mission born from both empathy and experience.

Joining her is Avery Peck, an accomplished cinematographer and colorist with over a decade of industry experience. Avery brings both technical mastery and a deep understanding of the film’s emotional undercurrents, capturing its surreal tone with nuance and authenticity. Avery firmly believes that “real representation happens through storytelling” and that “many will relate” (to the project).

Rounding out the creative core is actor Leah Finity, whose theatrical background and bold voice breathe life into complex characters. With roots in the Appalachian Mountains and a sharp artistic sensibility shaped by years of training, Leah adds emotional resonance and authenticity to the role.

The team thanks everyone who supported their recent, successful Seed & Spark campaign; supporters are not just funding a film, but investing in a new model of cinema that proves horror can be a vehicle for healing, empowerment, and community building. As Finity notes, Every Cell is “horribly truthful, horribly eerie, and horribly wonderful” —exactly the kind of cathartic experience that transforms both individual viewers and advances the broader conversation about mental wellness through alternative, creative approaches.

Principal photography for the project has concluded, and a release date is soon to be announced. Audiences can connect with the filmmakers and track progress via social media with the handle EveryCellMovie on BlueSky, Instagram, and Facebook.