In Theaters and Digital

Never Have I Ever is a scrappy little thriller that understands one universal truth: nothing good ever happens to a writer on a deadline. Sam, a screenwriter whose career is hanging by a thread, is already drowning in stress before the film really gets going — overdue pages, threats of losing his advance, and the kind of personal disarray that screams “I drink coffee for dinner.” When his wallet disappears and strange things start happening in his home, the movie shifts from anxiety comedy to paranoia thriller, and it’s a surprisingly smooth slide.

The film’s best stretch kicks in at the bar, where Sam’s chance meeting with a charismatic stranger feels just off enough to make your stomach tighten. From there, the story becomes a cat-and-mouse game that plays like someone mashed up Blood Simple with The Invitation, but on an indie budget and with a mischievous grin. It leans more on tension and character dynamics than gore, and it’s better for it — the violence lands harder because the film doesn’t toss it around casually.

The performance from the lead playing Sam is the glue holding everything together: jittery, sardonic, and believably fraying at the edges. You buy that this guy hasn’t slept well since… ever. The killer, meanwhile, has that “I read too much Nietzsche in college” energy — unsettling but magnetic enough that you understand why Sam doesn’t instantly bolt.

The film isn’t flawless. Some twists are telegraphed, and a couple sequences stretch suspension of disbelief like a rubber band about to snap. But even when the script stumbles, the direction has confidence, and the tone keeps you invested — dark, tense, but playfully self-aware about the absurdity of artistic burnout and personal chaos.

Writer/Director Damon Rickard’s horror/genre background helps Never Have I Ever lean into suspense and psychological tension more than a typical straight thriller. His experience with character-driven shorts comes through in how much of the drama is internal — the film feels very grounded in Sam’s emotional chaos, not just plot twists. Plus, because he knows how to work fast and lean, the production feels tight and efficient without losing its atmospheric weight.

It’s a scrappy, shadow-soaked thriller that swings way above its punching class. No, it’s not about to reinvent the genre wheel, but it is the kind of midnight movie that quietly hooks you until you realize you’ve stopped blinking and are halfway perched on the edge of the couch, questioning your life choices.

Never Have I Ever will be released to streaming platforms on November 18th by One Tree Hill.

MPAA Rating: Unrated.
Runtime: 97 mins
Director: Damon Rickard
Writer: Damon Rickard; Andrew Lee Potts
Cast: Andrew Lee Potts; Amber Doig-Thorne; Poppy Anne Williams
Genre: Thriller
Tagline:
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Distributor: One Tree Hill
Official Site:
Release Date: November 18, 2025
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: Sam, a struggling writer, faces pressure to repay an advance. His day spirals as he loses his wallet, experiences break-ins, and a chance encounter leads to unexpected events, further complicating his predicament and deadline.