Fishbrain (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Fishbrain is a 22-minute horror thriller drama centered on Ori, a young woman trapped in a declining coastal town while caring for her grandfather. When contaminated fish appear on the shore, they may offer her an escape—but taking that opportunity could place his life at risk.

Fishbrain is a 2026 short film written and directed by Max Vanderspuy. Blending horror, thriller and drama, it follows a young woman facing an impossible choice between leaving her failing coastal home and protecting the grandfather who relies on her.

The film’s premise turns a seemingly practical opportunity into a moral dilemma. Tainted fish wash ashore, giving Ori a possible route out, but only if she considers serving them to the person she is responsible for.

Fishbrain movie details

Story without spoilers

Ori is desperate to leave her decaying coastal town, yet her plans are complicated by her dependence on—and responsibility for—her grandfather. When tainted fish begin washing ashore, the discovery appears to provide a way forward.

That opportunity comes with a serious cost. Ori must decide how far she is willing to go for a chance at escape, while confronting the danger that the fish could pose to her grandfather. The story is built around this confined, high-stakes choice rather than a broad adventure.

What to expect

As a 22-minute film classified as horror, thriller and drama, Fishbrain is structured as a compact story with a threatening premise and an intimate central conflict. Its setting, dependent-family dynamic and contaminated-food dilemma point to tension driven by difficult choices and close personal stakes.

The short format suggests a focused narrative rather than an expansive world or large ensemble. The supplied synopsis establishes the ethical pressure surrounding Ori’s decision, while leaving the film’s specific developments and outcome undisclosed.

Cast and creative team

Chloe Lea plays Ori, the young woman at the center of the story. John Henshaw appears as Jeb, and Karren Winchester plays Imogen. Max Vanderspuy serves as both writer and director.

• John Henshaw as Jeb
• Chloe Lea as Ori
• Karren Winchester as Imogen

Release and production context

Fishbrain is a 2026 production from Viridian Films. It is listed as released on October 7, 2026, with a runtime of 22 minutes. The film is in English, and its listed genres are horror, thriller and drama. No production country is supplied.

Production companies: Viridian Films

Movies Dock view

With its short runtime and sharply defined moral dilemma, Fishbrain presents a contained story about escape, responsibility and the risks attached to an apparently useful discovery. The supplied details position it as a concise English-language genre drama anchored by Ori’s difficult choice.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb