A Desert (2025)
A sun-scorched neo-noir nightmare — Joshua Erkman's debut feature plunges one man's road trip into a spiral of dread and unpredictable horror.
A Desert - Movie Information
- Original Title: A Desert
- Release Year: 2025
- Directed by: Joshua Erkman
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Horror, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 43m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 2, 2025
- Production Companies: Yellow Veil Pictures, Dark Sky Films, Capes and Fog Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
A Desert - Plot
A photographer's road trip takes a dark turn when he befriends a reckless couple, plunging him into a nightmarish neo-noir spiral of unpredictable horror.
A Desert - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see where the road leads:
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A Desert - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Joshua Erkman
Main Cast
- David Yow
- Kai Lennox
- Sarah Lind
- Zachary Ray Sherman
- Ashley B. Smith
- Rob Zabrecky
- S.A. Griffin
- Bill J. Stevens
- Alexandra Ryan
- William Bookston
Writers
- Joshua Erkman
- Bossi Baker
Producers
- Hugues Barbier
- Joshua Erkman
A Desert - FAQs
What is A Desert about?
A Desert follows Harold Palladino, a photographer on a road trip whose journey takes a sinister turn after he falls in with a volatile couple named Alex and Sam Clark. What begins as a chance encounter spirals into a nightmarish neo-noir ordeal filled with dread, moral ambiguity, and escalating unpredictable horror.
Is A Desert worth watching for horror fans?
If you're drawn to slow-burn, atmospheric horror with a neo-noir edge, A Desert is a compelling watch. It leans into psychological unease and character-driven tension rather than jump scares, making it a strong pick for fans of unconventional, mood-heavy genre filmmaking.
Where can you stream A Desert?
You can stream A Desert on Shudder, Philo, or AMC+. It's also available free with ads on Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, Xumo Play, and Plex. If you prefer to own it, it's available to buy or rent on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
What does the title A Desert signify in the film?
The title works on multiple levels — it evokes the literal sun-scorched landscape where the story unfolds, but also suggests emotional and moral emptiness. The desert setting amplifies the film's sense of isolation and dread, trapping Harold in a world stripped of safety, reason, and escape.
Who stars in A Desert?
The film stars David Yow as Harold Palladino, with Kai Lennox and Sarah Lind playing the reckless couple at the center of the chaos. The supporting cast includes Zachary Ray Sherman, Ashley B. Smith, Rob Zabrecky, S.A. Griffin, Bill J. Stevens, Alexandra Ryan, and William Bookston.
Who directed A Desert and what is their background?
A Desert is directed by Joshua Erkman, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Bossi Baker. Erkman produced the film alongside Hugues Barbier, and the project is backed by Yellow Veil Pictures and Dark Sky Films — two labels known for championing bold, boundary-pushing genre cinema.
What is the neo-noir tone of A Desert like?
A Desert blends classic noir atmosphere — moral corruption, fatalistic dread, morally compromised characters — with modern horror sensibilities. Cinematographer Jay Keitel's visuals and Ty Segall's score give the film a distinctly unsettling texture, creating a world where danger feels both mundane and surreal at the same time.
What films are similar to A Desert?
If A Desert hits the spot, you might also enjoy Race with the Devil (1975), a classic road-trip horror, or The Shed (2019) and Eradication (2022) for more contemporary genre thrills. Fans of dark, character-driven tension could also check out Z (2019) and The Unhealer (2021).
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