Beneath the Leather was born from a desire to explore fear, curiosity, and the limits of human survival through characters we rarely see in thrillers. People who don’t feel like polished movie heroes, but real, flawed, vulnerable humans.
I’ve always been fascinated by how ordinary people respond to extraordinary danger. This project challenges the stereotypes of bravery and flips the narrative. T he socially awkward brother becomes the unexpected hero, the loud, confident social media journalist becomes the emotional heart of the story, and even an outlaw biker finds humanity under his hardened exterior.
As a creator, my goal is to craft a thriller that’s raw, grounded, and emotionally driven not just violence for shock value, but a story where survival is earned and relationships matter.
Beneath the Leather is a contained suspense-thriller short film that follows Kiley, a social media journalist who goes missing after stopping at a biker pub for content. When her boyfriend Caleb and his introverted younger brother Nasir come searching for her, they stumble into a violent underground world run by the Phoenix Motorcycle Club.
What begins as a rescue mission becomes a fight for survival and a story of unexpected courage.
This film blends gritty realism, emotional stakes, and tight, high-tension storytelling. With a small cast, a single main location, and practical effects, it’s designed for powerful indie production while still feeling cinematic.
