Charlatan (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Charlatan is a 2026 short film blending thriller, horror and drama. It follows a self-obsessed podcaster whose lies take a darker turn when one devoted follower refuses to abandon his belief in them.

Charlatan is a 2026 short film that combines thriller, horror and drama in a compact 17-minute format. Written and directed by Christian Barczi, it centers on the dangerous consequences of belief when a podcaster’s deception gains an unwavering follower.

The film’s premise places personal image, falsehood and obsession at the heart of its conflict. With an English-language presentation and a focused cast, Charlatan appears designed as a tightly contained story rather than an expansive feature-length production.

Charlatan movie details

Story without spoilers

The story follows Magnus Benedict, a self-obsessed podcaster whose lies begin to carry consequences beyond his control. The situation becomes more troubling when Graham Henry, one of his devoted followers, refuses to let go of the beliefs built around those lies.

Eric, played by Sam Hook, is also part of the central cast. The supplied premise keeps the plot focused on the tension between the podcaster’s self-created image and the follower’s unwillingness to abandon it, without revealing how that conflict unfolds.

What to expect

Charlatan is identified as a thriller, horror and drama, so viewers can expect a short-form story shaped by tension, unsettling implications and interpersonal conflict. Its 17-minute runtime suggests a concentrated narrative with little room for extended subplots.

The premise also points to belief as the film’s central pressure point. Rather than presenting a broad supernatural or action-driven setup, the available details emphasize the consequences of deception and the intensity of a follower who will not let go.

Cast and creative team

Christian Barczi writes and directs Charlatan and plays Magnus Benedict, the self-obsessed podcaster at the center of the story. Grant Wooten portrays Graham Henry, the devoted follower whose continued belief drives the conflict. Sam Hook plays Eric.

• Christian Barczi as Magnus Benedict
• Grant Wooten as Graham Henry
• Sam Hook as Eric

Release and production context

Charlatan is a 2026 English-language production from Chitch Files. It has a listed release date of August 29, 2026, and a runtime of 17 minutes. The supplied information identifies its status as Released, but does not provide a production country.

Production companies: Chitch Files

Reported production figures:
Budget $1,000

Charlatan official trailer

Watch the official trailer on YouTube

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With its brief runtime and sharply defined premise, Charlatan focuses on the uneasy consequences that can emerge when public deception meets intense personal belief. The film’s thriller, horror and drama classification provides a clear indication of its dark tonal territory, while the available synopsis leaves the outcome of the confrontation undisclosed.

Film data:
TMDB