𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
It is unremarkable for movies to receive standing ovations at film festivals. It is, however, unusual for a crowd to chant a director’s name before their film even begins. That was the scene buyers encountered inside the Royal Alexandra Theatre at last year’s Toronto Film Festival as Curry Barker unveiled his full-length theatrical debut 𝘖𝘣𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 in the Midnight Madness sidebar. There’s no burying the lede here: 𝘖𝘣𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 is about as good as horror gets. This Midnight Madness gem lives on past the witching hour.
Michael Johnston stars as Bear, a quintessential nice guy forever pining for his childhood friend Nikki (Inde Navarrette). Fumbling his chance to come clean once more and in a fugue state of dejection, he turns to a monkey's paw object, One Wish Willow, which he acquires in a woo-woo curio shop. His wish? That Nikki would love him more than anything else in the world. In no time at all, Nikki is horny for Bear. A finger snap transformation, it is exactly what he had been fantasizing about. Once spirited and independent, she is a creature tirelessly living for just one purpose: to love him. She is a specter haunting Bear’s home—the horrific curdling of the perfect girlfriend. And now, after a litany of insane behavior, he is desperate for Nikki to change back.
Make no mistake: that 𝘖𝘣𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 works as well as it does rests firmly on lead Johnston’s shoulders. 𝘖𝘣𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 sets the stage for a new, exciting chapter for Johnston. We are witnessing the reinvention of a major talent who, until now, has been most widely recognized for his work on 𝘛𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘞𝘰𝘭𝘧.
The full interview at ANTHEMMAGAZINE.COM
Talent: Michael Johnston
@themichaeljohnston
Photography by Reto Sterchi
@retosterchi
Styling by Shameelah Hicks at The Wall Group
@shameelahhicks
Grooming by Lucy Gargiulo
@lucygmakeup
Produced by Jesse Simon
@jessemsimon
Location: MVMT Studios
Global Brand Ambassador: Kee Chang
@keeyoun
Special Thanks to Dominique Appel, Emily Rennert & Zoe Tucker
#MichaelJohnston #AnthemMagazine
