Horror thriller · Feature film
The Animal
Written by Jaime Falero
Criminals smuggling cocaine across Arizona are trapped by a sandstorm, and wake to find their truck moved to the middle of the desert.
The story
There’s no road out
1980. A commercial 18-wheeler crosses the deserted highways of Arizona, but this time its payload is a group of small-time criminals moving a shipment of cocaine. An intense, unexpected sandstorm forces them to pull over and wait 24 hours inside the trailer.
The next day, the truck isn’t where they parked it. It has been moved to the middle of the vast desert, with no highway in sight.
A bizarre character called “The Tracker” appears to explain exactly what is happening, and what they must do to make it out alive.
Why this film
A desert nightmare
A high-concept hook
Trapped in the desert by forces they can’t explain.
Contained and cost-effective
One truck, one desert, one way out.
From Jaime Falero
The filmmaker behind The Lady.
Comparable films
Proven returns in the genre
No Country for Old Men
2007
A drug deal gone wrong in the desert.
$25Mbudget$172Mworldwide6.9×return
The Hills Have Eyes
2006
Travellers stranded in the desert are hunted.
$15Mbudget$70Mworldwide4.7×return
Wrong Turn
2003
Travellers stranded in the wilderness fight to survive.
$12.6Mbudget$28.6Mworldwide2.3×return
Box office figures are for the films named, from public sources (The Numbers / Box Office Mojo). They are not a projection or guarantee of results for The Animal.
Company details
Behind the film
- Production companies
- FaxFilms · The Film Co-Operative
- Producers
- Jaime Falero · Nuala Quinn-Barton
- Writer
- Jaime Falero
Invest in The Animal
The Animal is in development at The Film Co-Operative. For investment, partnership or distribution enquiries, book a call with producer Nuala Quinn-Barton or email us for the investor package.