Production is officially underway on Play the Edge, the new crime feature from writer and director Peter Horgan, bringing together a standout ensemble cast for a suspense-driven story set against the winter backdrop of Cape Cod. Filming has begun in Chatham, Massachusetts, where the holiday thriller unfolds with a mix of tension, dark humor, and unexpected twists. The project marks Horgan’s sophomore feature following the success of his debut film How to Rob, signaling a continued exploration of morally complicated characters navigating high-stakes decisions.
A Holiday Plan That Spirals Out of Control
At the center of Play the Edge is a recently demoted pizza chef who makes a desperate decision, setting his boss up for a robbery scheduled for Christmas Eve. Just thirty minutes before the armed robbers are due to arrive, fate intervenes when he suddenly wins the lottery. What follows is a frantic attempt to stop a poorly conceived plan that has already gained momentum, raising the question of whether redemption is possible once events have moved beyond control. The film blends suspense with character-driven storytelling, exploring how impulsive choices can quickly spiral into consequences no one can predict.
A Strong Ensemble Cast
The film stars 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards nominee Liz Larsen, known for her performances in The Baltimorons and Mr. Robot, alongside Dennis Boutsikaris of Better Call Saul and Sugar. Joining them are Zack Robidas (Succession, Dying for Sex), Lance A. Williams (Don’t Look Up, Equalizer 2), Katie Silverman (New Girl, PEN15), and Josh Koopman (Earlybird, American Hustle). Together, the cast brings a range of dramatic and comedic experience that aligns with the film’s tonal balance between suspense and sharp character moments.
Behind the Scenes Collaboration
Play the Edge is produced by AFI alum Becca E. Davis, alongside Mike Hansen and Kathrene Gawel, with executive producers Ian Brownell, Todd Remis, Liz Larsen, and Zack Robidas. Cinematography is led by Mike Hechanova of Urban Mouse Productions, capturing the distinctive coastal setting that plays a central role in the film’s atmosphere. The story is partially set within the historic Chatham Orpheum movie theater, created in partnership with Pizza Shark Inc., adding a local cultural element that grounds the film within the Cape Cod community.
Building on a Promising Directorial Path
Peter Horgan first gained attention with his debut feature How to Rob, which premiered at IFFBoston before being acquired for North American distribution by Good Deed Entertainment’s Cranked Up Films and internationally by Nicely Entertainment’s Darkly Entertainment. Praised by the Boston Herald as “a winning debut,” the film established Horgan’s interest in crime stories driven by unconventional characters and morally ambiguous choices. With Play the Edge, he continues to develop that storytelling voice while expanding into a larger ensemble and a holiday-set narrative filled with tension and irony.
A Crime Story Framed by Chance and Consequence
Blending the unpredictability of luck with the inevitability of consequence, Play the Edge explores how a single decision can alter multiple lives in unexpected ways. Set during the festive season yet driven by suspense, the film positions its characters at the intersection of desperation and opportunity, where timing becomes everything. As production moves forward in Massachusetts, the project promises a character-focused crime story shaped as much by human impulse as by circumstance, offering audiences a thriller that balances humor, risk, and emotional stakes.
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